Sky One Sets Premiere Date For A Discovery Of Witches

Sky One has confirmed the UK premiere date for A Discovery of Witches, the highly anticipated adaptation of Deborah Harkness’s bestselling All Souls trilogy. The fantasy drama will debut on Friday, September 14, 2018, at 9:00 PM, introducing viewers to a world where witches, vampires, and daemons live hidden among humans.

At the center of the story is Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch and historian, played by Teresa Palmer. Diana stumbles across a bewitched manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, an event that draws her into a dangerous supernatural underworld. Despite her attempts to live an ordinary academic life, the discovery forces her to embrace her magical heritage and confront forces far beyond her control.

Opposite Palmer is Matthew Goode, who stars as Matthew Clairmont, a centuries-old vampire with his own secrets. When he and Diana form an unlikely alliance, their connection challenges long-standing taboos between creatures. Their relationship becomes the heart of the story, blending romance with suspense against a backdrop of supernatural intrigue.

The series boasts stunning locations, including Oxford’s historic libraries and sweeping European landscapes, which add a sense of authenticity and grandeur to the fantasy setting. The visual design emphasizes both the beauty and danger of this hidden world, immersing audiences in a tale that mixes history, magic, and forbidden love.

Supporting cast members include Owen Teale, Lindsay Duncan, and Alex Kingston, who add depth to the ensemble and bring Harkness’s richly drawn characters to life. Their performances highlight the tensions between the various species, from the witches’ struggle for survival to the vampires’ centuries-old rivalries.

The adaptation captures the novel’s blend of fantasy and scholarship, weaving in themes of knowledge, power, and destiny. While rooted in the supernatural, the series explores universal ideas about identity, belonging, and the courage to embrace who you are. This combination of intellectual curiosity and magical adventure sets it apart from many other fantasy dramas.

Sky One has positioned A Discovery of Witches as a flagship drama, with ambitions to capture both UK and international audiences. Its premiere marks the beginning of what is expected to be a multi-season adaptation, covering all three books in Harkness’s trilogy. The investment reflects Sky’s growing reputation for delivering high-quality, cinematic television with global appeal.

For fans of the novels, the series offers a faithful yet dynamic retelling of a beloved story, while new viewers will find an accessible entry point into a richly imagined world. With its compelling leads, strong production values, and an addictive mix of romance and mystery, A Discovery of Witches is poised to become one of Sky One’s most talked-about dramas.

UK audiences can catch the premiere on Friday, September 14, 2018, at 9:00 PM, exclusively on Sky One, and step into a world where history and magic are inextricably linked.