A discovery of WITCHES

SURANNE JONES on delving into the most-infamous witch trials in history for her first foray into documentaries

- STEVEN PERKINS

SURANNE JONES: INVESTIGATING WITCH TRIALS

SUNDAY, 9PM, C4 FACTUAL (BOX SET, CHANNEL 4)

Suranne Jones has long been fascinated by the idea of witches. So the BAFTA-winning actor is pleased to be exploring the subject in more detail as she fronts her first TV documentary.

Beginning on C4 this week, two-parter Suranne Jones: Investigating Witch Trials sees the Gentleman Jack and Vigil star look at how accusations of witchcraft have left a legacy that has affected women throughout the ages.

Suranne’s journey of discovery takes her from the Lancashire district of Pendle – not far from her birthplace of Oldham in Greater Manchester – to Germany and Massachusetts.

Here, Suranne, 45, shares her findings…

Why did you want to make this docuseries, Suranne?

I’ve always loved literature on folklore, fairy tales, witches and vampires – the more powerful characters that have dark sides or are misunderstood.

I always wanted to play the witch when I was younger rather than a princess. Then, when I got married, my husband [writer and producer Laurence Akers] was always saying, ‘Is that another witch book you’re reading?’ So when we started our production company [Team-Akers Productions], he said, ‘Why don’t we do a documentary?’ and he wrote a brilliant treatment for it! Our target was to make it of modern-day relevance.

You start by delving into the 1612 Pendle witch trials, which were held at Lancaster Castle and led to eight women and two men being sentenced to death. Growing up nearby, were you already aware of this story?

Yes, when you’re from that area, it’s something you know about, and we talked about it within the family. I probably didn’t realise when I was younger, but then certainly, as you come into your teenage years, you understand the weight of it.