They used to burn women at the stake...now they do it online instead

IT'S hundreds of years since they faced persecution for being witches, but Suranne Jones says women are still suffering the same kind of dark oppression today.

- JANINE YAQOOB

As the actress delved into the history of witchcraft for a new documentary on TV tonight, she found disturbing parallels between the hounding of innocent people centuries ago and the treatment many now suffer online.

Experts tell the former Corrie star that witch trials have moved onto social media - where women are being tortured with misogynist behaviour and threats of violence.

Suranne, 45, also found moments from the past that resonated deeply with some of her own life experiences.

She said: "One of the biggest things that has struck me is that women were silenced. Women didn't have a voice, they were repressed.

"That is something that has stuck through society and it has been repeated and repeated. It's still a big issue now.

"I had so many occasions coming up through my career when you have an opinion - and the moment you do you can feel the atmosphere change

"You're either too mouthy, too loud, too brash, that's not your job, you need to be quiet, you need to look pretty, smile... all of that stuff has happened."

Suranne shot to fame playing strong female characters, including DC Rachel Bailey in ITV's detective show Scott & Bailey and the title character in BBC series Doctor Foster.

She also took the lead in Gentleman Jack the BBC drama about 19th century trailblazer Anne Lister, who had a secret relationship with Ann Walker, played by Sophie Rundle.

But the star is fascinated by the horrific fate of thousands of women victimised during the witch trials.