Few things are more exciting than sinking your teeth into a new mystery thriller, which is why we're here to tell you about the BBC's next spine-tingling series, The Witch Farm. The creepy ghost story is inspired by Danny Robins' hit podcast of the same name, which revolves around real-life events that took place 30 years ago in the Brecon Beacons - and. as you might be able to tell from the first look pictures, it has a 10/10 scare factor.
Set in South Wales in 1989, the series tells the story of pregnant Liz (Gabrielle Creevy) and her husband Bill Rich (Michael Socha) who ditch 1980s London for a remote farmhouse named “Heol Fanog”, meaning “Road to the Peaks”. At first, their new rural lifestyle is idyllic and it feels like the perfect place to enjoy life as a family - but when Liz becomes convinced she’s seen a ghostly figure in the bedroom, things quickly go from bad to worse.
With the series set to arrive on our screens soon, here’s everything you need to know about The Witch Farm, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is The Witch Farm about?
As we mentioned, the four-part series is inspired by the real events, theories and first-hand accounts explored in Danny Robins' podcast of the same name. The setting is South Wales, where young couple Liz (played by Gabrielle Creevy) and Bill Rich (Michael Socha), as well as their teenage son Jonathan (Lewin Lloyd), are starting a new life in a farmhouse in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, having ditched the hustle and bustle of London.
While the idyllic dwelling seems peaceful at first, Liz soon becomes convinced she’s seen a ghostly figure in the bedroom and strange things begin to happen around the house. What follows is a steady escalation of the chillingly uncanny; think unexplained disturbances and an unsettling sense that they're not alone.
The BBC's official synopsis continues: "As Bill and Liz begin to investigate, the house draws them deeper into a history that refuses to stay buried. And as the land yields its secrets, so too does their marriage - testing the limits of trust, belief, and what they’re willing to deny in order to survive."
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says of the upcoming series: “Taking BBC Drama viewers into the hugely popular world of Danny’s podcasts for the first time is incredibly exciting, and in Gabrielle and Michael we have the perfect leads. Whether you're already a fan of Danny's work or are coming to the story of The Witch Farm for the first time, be prepared for some scares!"
James Gandhi, executive producer for Mammoth Screen, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing Danny Robins’s The Witch Farm to the screen. Danny is a master storyteller, and we hope this will thrill and terrify the BBC audience. We couldn’t be happier to have Stacey Gregg directing, and Gabrielle and Michael leading the cast!”
Is The Witch Farm based on a true story?
Yes, The Witch Farm is based on the true events that unfolded at "Heol Fanog" house in rural Wales. The terrifying account of what happened to Liz and Bill became well-known thanks to The Witch Farm podcast by Danny Robins, who's known for his BBC paranormal podcast and TV series Uncanny, docu-drama podcast The Battersea Poltergeist and the West End play, 2:22 A Ghost Story.
The Witch Farm podcast discloses many of the details of the real-life happenings, including discussions on what the "presence" is that's lurking in the house, as well as fan theories and more. Writer, creator and executive producer, Danny, described the process of making the podcast "an exciting, thrill-ride in itself".
He added: "Now things are getting even more exciting, as we evolve the story into a TV drama with this fantastic cast and the brilliant director Stacey Gregg. Get ready for a supernatural thriller that plays out as the most deliciously dark detective story - an emotional rollercoaster that will have you gripped, moved and spine-tingled. I can't wait to spook you out."
Who's in the cast of The Witch Farm?
The cast of The Witch Farm includes:
- Gabrielle Creevy (The Guest)
- Michael Socha (Showtrial, What It Feels Like for a Girl)
- Lewin Lloyd (His Dark Materials)
- Sian Gibson (The Power of Parker, Peter Kay's Car Share)
- Robert Pugh (Game of Thrones, The Tuckers)
- Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso, Downton Abbey)
- Edward Holcroft (Industry, The Agency)
- Roger Evans (Northern Lights, House of the Dragon)
How can I watch The Witch Farm?
The Witch Farm is coming soon to BBC One and BBC iPlayer. As soon as we have an exact release date, we'll share it here.
What other mystery thrillers can I watch now?
If you're looking for another twisty series, we'd recommend Under Salt Marsh. The series takes places in the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen, where the body of ex-detective turned teacher Jackie Ellis (Kelly Reilly)’s eight-year-old student, Cefin, is discovered after a supposed drowning. Under Salt Marsh is available to watch now on Sky and NOW. We'd also recommend Vanished. The Flight Attendant’s Kaley Cuoco plays archaeologist, Alice, who's on a mission to find her missing partner, Tom (Sam Claflin), after he suddenly vanishes during their romantic getaway in France. The closer Alice gets, the more mysteries about Tom emerge. You can watch Vanished now on Prime Video.
