A Discovery of Witches Season 1

Season 1 of A Discovery of Witches premiered in the UK on Sky One on September 14, 2018, and consisted of eight episodes. In the United States, it aired across a multitude of networks such as AMC, BBC America, etc., starting on April 7, 2019 and ending on May 26, 2019. In November 2018, Sky One renewed the series for a second and third season respectively. The second series premiered on January 8, 2021 in the UK. In the Unites states, streaming networks Sundance Now and Shudder began airing season 2 January 9, 2021.

Synopsis
''Adapted from Deborah Harkness' best selling novel A Discovery of Witches is a contemporary love story set in our world, but one which humans share with the declining species of witches, vampires and daemons – creatures existing and working amongst us, but hiding, unknown to most humans, in plain sight. Teresa Palmer plays brilliant academic and historian Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch denying her heritage. The discovery of a manuscript in Oxford's Bodleian Library throws her into the heart of a dangerous mystery and into the path of enigmatic geneticist Matthew Clairmont played by Matthew Goode, an ancient vampire hiding dark family secrets. As Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the significance of the mysterious manuscript and as their relationship develops and their heritage comes in to play, events threaten to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between humans, witches, vampires and daemons.''

Starring

 * Teresa Palmer as Diana Bishop
 * Matthew Goode as Matthew Clairmont
 * Edward Bluemel as Marcus Whitmore
 * Louise Brealey as Gillian Chamberlain
 * Malin Buska as Satu
 * Aiysha Hart as Miriam Shephard
 * Owen Teale as Peter Knox
 * Alex Kingston as Sarah Bishop
 * Valarie Pettiford as Emily Mather
 * Trevor Eve as Gerbert D'Aurillac
 * Lindsay Duncan as Ysabeau de Clermont

Guest Stars

 * Tanya Moodie as Agatha Wilson
 * Daniel Ezra as Nathaniel Wilson
 * Greg McHugh as Hamish Osborne
 * Aisling Loftus as Sophie Wilson
 * Elarica Johnson as Juliette Durand
 * Gregg Chillin as Domenico
 * Trystan Gravelle as Baldwin
 * Tomiwa Edun as Sean
 * Sophia Myles as Rebecca Bishop
 * David Newman as Stephen Proctor
 * Sorcha Cusack as Marthe
 * Chloe Dumas as Meridiana

Trivia

 * On April 10, 2019, as part of a Q & A, Gareth Skelding, the Senior Location Manager for the series was asked how exactly does it work if and when Gareth needs to find (search for) a location outside the UK? For example the location for Sept Tours in season 1. To which he answered that so much can vary on: budget and filming schedules. Skelding went onto say that with the help of CGI they can achieve many different looks without leaving the UK these days. But admitted that sometimes, there's no substitute for the real thing like the scenes they shot in Venice.
 * In another question, Skelding was asked how long did it take to build the Bishop house and they did all the interior set design. He answered by saying that the exterior was built in a period of roughly 4 weeks. But that credit for he interior set design was slightly more involved and James North should be asked about that.
 * In regards to Sept-Tours, Gareth Skelding revealed that Sept Tours became a real mix of locations. Some of the exteriors were filmed in Monselice, Italy, and some some at Aberglasney Garderns. But that the interiors were mainly studio builds designed by the wonderful James North.
 * A fan also asked him what kind of visualization happens during location scouting. To which Skalding revealed that during scouting they need to visualise the important things to capture in scenes. Sometimes location alone doesn't tell the story and they need props, dressing and input from their talented creative teams - not to mention those fantastic actors who bring the whole thing alive!
 * When asked where was Sophie and Nathaniel's house filmed. Skalding mentioned that for the tv series, they made the conscious decision to site the Daemons in a different environment to the Vampires and Witches. Thus, they went with the charming town of Chepstow.
 * Another question Skelding was asked in regards to how did he shoot the bird's eye views like Sept-Tours or Oxford. But also, what was the most challenging scenery/location to shoot in (whether the technical difficulties or accessibility). Skelding revealed that drones were quite the useful new tool in his filmmaking armoury because they can achieve great shots.
 * The next question ended up being about wether Gareth for example speaks to colleagues. Or if they talk to each other and evaluate locations from different series. The twitter user mentioned that All Souls Lane and The Rummel for example had already made an appearance in Being Human and Sherlock. Gareth stated that because they all go out to find dramatic and amazing locations, and often have to find them within a certain area to satisfy schedule, similar locations are often used on multiple productions!
 * When it came to what were the challenges involved in filming on the campus of a university such as Oxford. Skelding revealed that Oxford was challenging full stop. Whether on university property or generally in the city. But that they were lucky enough to be welcomed by both the residents and the universities because of their love for Deborah Harkness and her books.
 * Gareth Skelding revealed that his favorite sequence or shot from the locations was Diana cycling through Oxford. While logistically, it was challenging for them, he admitted to it being worth the pain that they suffered to deliver the scale that was achieved on screen!
 * Satu's house and the forest scenes were filmed in the woods near the Pontsticill Reservoir.
 * What ended up being the most challenging locations were the scenes at top of one of the highest peaks in Wales (Llyn y Fan Fach). He also released some behind the scenes of him on location.
 * When it comes to the Bishop House, the exterior was built on an estate that was on the outskirts of Cardiff and they specifically filmed during the fall to capture the mood of upstate New York. The same estate also gave them Hamish's house!
 * On April 16,2019 AMC released a behind the scene image showcasing how they created the Bodleian Library set right in the middle of a studio.
 * On April 17,2019, AMC celebrated the series being rated 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
 * On April 21,2019, some behind the scenes images of Teresa with Sophia Myles, the actress playing her mom were released.
 * On April 25,2019, AMC promoted the show by releasing an image of Matthew and Diana together and calling them a powerful power couple.
 * On April 29,2019, some behind the scenes images of props like: the Congregation keys and the magical object Peter Knox was using in one of the Season 1 episodes were released.
 * On May 1, 2019, some behind the scenes images for the locations seen throughout the first season were released.
 * On May 6, 2019, BBC America teased its viewers by saying that after the love scene between Matthew and Diana aired, there was a Sunday spike in Google searches for 'bundling.'
 * On May 19,2019, Deborah Harkness revealed that the bumper stickers seen on the back of Sarah's car were given to her by a fan.
 * She further revealed that she wrote some of Time's Convert in the Bishop House keeping room.
 * On May 22, 2019, Alex Kingston shared to AMC how she believes Diana's relationship with Matthew challenges Sarah's beliefs throughout the season.
 * On May 26, 2019, it was revealed that a script of the series premiere signed by Teresa Palmer & Matthew Goode would be auctioned at All Souls Con that same year.
 * Also on this day, BBC America promoted the show, ahead of its season finale, and released some promotional images that encompass the evolution of Diana and Matthew's relationship in Season 1.
 * On May 28, 2019, AMC revealed that behind the scenes series stars: Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode are like “an old, married couple.
 * On May 30, 2019, Sky España promoted the show's first season on their official twitter account, and urge Spanish viewers to binge the first season.
 * They also released a behing the scenes image of Season 1 on this same day.
 * On July 9, 2019, the series official twitter account released some throwback behind the scenes images of Edward Bluemel when they were filming the first season in 2017.
 * On July 10, 2019, Deborah Harkness revealed that the series officially became part of the Rotten Tomatoes coveted 100 Club with a 100% fresh rating.
 * Previously, only 102 shows have received such an honor.
 * It was also one of the top five shows of 2019 according to critics.
 * On July 13, 2019, the series official twitter account celebrated Wimbledon by releasing a promotional posters asking its viewers who they think the two duchesses (Kate and Meghan) would back in a doubles tournament with the characters from the series.
 * On March 5, 2020, the series official twitter account provided a behind the scenes look at Ashmole 782.
 * On November 27, 2020, it was mentioned that a colonial-style house was built in front of Cardiff University's Main Building.The building reminiscent of the French-Spaniard style seen in places like New Orleans was put up on the greenery in front of the historic Main Building. All done for Sky One series A Discovery of Witches.