Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale is an American supernatural drama television series written and created by Debbie Horsfield based on the 2020 novel Sanctuary: A Novel of Suspense, Witchcraft, and Small Town Secrets by V.V. James. The first season premiered on January 4, 2024, on Sundance Now. In August 2024, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on December 25, 2025.
Contents
Synopsis
In the fictional small English town of Sanctuary, witches have lived openly for centuries as accepted and sacred members of the community. Sarah Fenn is a witch whom the townspeople rely on for remedies when other methods have failed. When Dan Whithall, a local teen, a rugby captain and a bully, is pushed to his death at a party, his mother Abigail, out of grief, begins a modern witch hunt against Sarah, believing her son to be a saint and Sarah's daughter Harper, whom Dan betrayed and abused, to be the cause of Dan's death.
Cast and characters
Main
Elaine Cassidy as Sarah Fenn
Hazel Doupe as Harper Fenn
Stephanie Levi-John as DCI Maggie Knight
Amy De Bhrún as Abigail Whithall
Valerie O'Connor as Bridget Paterson
Kelly Campbell as Julia Garston
Stephen Lord as Ted Bolt
Recurring
Adam Isla O'Brien as Ryan Greenhoff
Barry John Kinsella as Michael Whithall
Daniel Adegboyega as Pierre Martineau
Keith McErlean as Albie Garston
Darragh Gilhooly as Jake Bolt
Holly Sturton as Beatrice Garston
Sophie Mensah as Cheryl Lee
Chris Newman as Remy
Cal O'Driscoll as Ollie
Elish Liburd as Izzy Paterson
Helen Norton as Mary Ann Bolt
Danielle Ryan as Ana Dao
Roisin Murphy as Emily
Jon De Barra as Freddie
Justin Daniels Anene as Dale
Episodes
Production
Development
In August 2022, Sundance Now announced it had commissioned a new series Sanctuary based on the novel of the same name by V.V. James, who will also serve as an executive producer alongside Debra Hayward, Alison Owen, Alison Carpenter, Karen Richards, Debbie Horsfield, and Guymon Casady. Horsfield will also be serving as a writer on the series alongside Jess Ruston and Gabbie Asher. The series is directed by Lisa Mulcahy and Justin Molotnikov. Sanctuary is an AMC production in partnership with Monumental Television.
Casting
In August 2022 the cast was announced to include Elaine Cassidy, Hazel Doupe, Stephanie Levi-John, and Amy De Bhrún. Further cast members were announced in October and December 2023 including Valerie O'Connor, Kelly Campbell, Stephen Lord, Darragh Gilhooly, Adam Isla O’Brien, Elish Liburd, Barry John Kinsella, and Sophie Mensah.
Release
Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale debuted with a two-episode premiere on January 4, 2024, exclusively on Sundance Now and AMC+, with new episodes airing weekly. The series premiered on AMC on January 5, 2025.