A Discovery Of Witches - General Discussion

[SimoneS]

I couldn't figure out what happened when Matthew and Diana time traveled because AMC interrupted the scene. Nice work, AMC.

I am glad that Baldwin survived. It was good seeing the different creatures working together. 

This show isn't much, but it was enjoyable enough. I look forward to season two.

[dubbel zout]

11 hours ago, SimoneS said:

This show isn't much

It sure isn't, especially considering the books have a lot going on. I think the show writers have streamlined things too much. It makes me wonder how much input Deborah Harkness has. She's listed as an executive producer, but that could be a token title she got because she's the creative source.

[tennisgurl]

Nice to see some actual plot momentum, even if it comes pretty freaking late. I could have used more of the council and the people trying to get the book and Diana, instead of the millionth shot of Diana walking around, albeit in wonderful sweaters in lovely backgrounds. I admit, the show HAS made me want to see the books, because it does seem like there is a really good story here and an interesting universe, but the pacing was so random, and it seems like we streamlined so much, it seemed like ADoW Cliffnotes. 

I did enjoy seeing the different species all hanging out and getting along, Diana getting some badass moments with her powers, and getting all the plots and supporting characters in one location was a very good idea, it gave a lot of the supporting characters more to do. 

This show has a lot of pacing issues, but I am interested in seeing what happens next season, if for nothing else but locations and sweater porn, and I think it still has potential now that the plot is finally in motion. And it makes me want to check the books out and see what I am missing, so I guess that a win?

[Zoe]

I don't know why they changed the DNA results to not include witchfire.  It seems like they're opening the door for the

additional DNA in the second season, but now they're backed into a corner with bad science since they'll be getting it from the cheek swabs.  People have already been getting a kick out of Matthew's lab "skills".

The sacrifice/bite scene didn't have anywhere near the tension of the book.  That and La Pierre have probably been the biggest disappointments in translating the book to the screen.

[Quilt Fairy]

23 hours ago, tennisgurl said:

I think it still has potential now that the plot is finally in motion.

And now we wait - what? - a whole year for season 2? Any motion has come to a complete stop. 

[AnimeMania]

40 minutes ago, Quilt Fairy said:

And now we wait - what? - a whole year for season 2? Any motion has come to a complete stop. 

This was filmed quite a while ago, but shown on a streaming service before it finally made it way to television, so it may not be that long of a wait for new episodes. The only problem is will it air first on streaming service or come straight to TV. The show has been renewed for a second and third season.

Vampire Juliette was my favorite character since she was the only one that has a personality and of course she won't be coming back next season.

[Umbelina]

On 5/27/2019 at 7:21 AM, dubbel zout said:

It sure isn't, especially considering the books have a lot going on. I think the show writers have streamlined things too much. It makes me wonder how much input Deborah Harkness has. She's listed as an executive producer, but that could be a token title she got because she's the creative source.

I agree.

I'm so disappointed.  Deborah Harkness (the author) has a Facebook page and she was so freaking excited when her books were going to be made into a show.  What a mess they've made of them.

I do love the books (I've even reread them) but the show is dropping all the best stuff, and honestly, it's partly SUPPOSED to be a mystery and the discovery of everything takes time, but it's pretty thrilling to watch Diana and Mathew find their way as a couple, while simultaneously being both in peril and trying to figure things out.

This could have been done SO much better!

I hate the stupid Twilight-style music.  I hate that they made Ysabeau both old and tall.  She should be tiny, stunningly beautiful, and at most in her early twenties. 

On 5/27/2019 at 10:55 PM, tennisgurl said:

Nice to see some actual plot momentum, even if it comes pretty freaking late. I could have used more of the council and the people trying to get the book and Diana, instead of the millionth shot of Diana walking around, albeit in wonderful sweaters in lovely backgrounds. I admit, the show HAS made me want to see the books, because it does seem like there is a really good story here and an interesting universe, but the pacing was so random, and it seems like we streamlined so much, it seemed like ADoW Cliffnotes. 

I did enjoy seeing the different species all hanging out and getting along, Diana getting some badass moments with her powers, and getting all the plots and supporting characters in one location was a very good idea, it gave a lot of the supporting characters more to do. 

This show has a lot of pacing issues, but I am interested in seeing what happens next season, if for nothing else but locations and sweater porn, and I think it still has potential now that the plot is finally in motion. And it makes me want to check the books out and see what I am missing, so I guess that a win?

Next season should be fabulous, and take several new turns.  One character I already know will be ruined, and I'm already pissed about it. MAJOR spoiler below, really only for book people.

Spoiler

Phillipe will have to be old now too DAMN it!

I fear they have already revealed too much though, and I'm not sure how well they will manage next season after watching the first season's efforts.  Having mysteries should never be boring, but somehow they have managed to do that.

There has been no penetration during sex, unless they have completely changed the books, which I doubt.  However, oral sex with a vampire with centuries of experience who almost never tires and can move extremely fast (including his tongue) would probably be pretty great.

If you want to know more about the book characters, there is a good wiki here (full of spoilers I'm sure)  https://allsoulstrilogy.fandom.com/wiki/The_Series

For several of the questions asked in this thread already?  They will (or should) be answered in due time.  There is a reason things are unclear right now, but honestly, not daemons.  Both Mathew and Diana know about them so I have no idea why the show is being unclear.

I'll tag it just in case, but I did answer this one earlier. 

Spoiler

Daemons present as different than regular humans.  They may be geniuses in any kind of field, are often considered odd by humans, and many slip over into insanity.  Rock stars, scientists, mathematicians, artists, etc. but they may forget where their keys are, or to eat, or may just go completely insane.  The rest is part of the mystery in the books.

Edited May 30, 2019 by Umbelina
wiki added

[Zoe]

9 hours ago, Umbelina said:

I hate that they made Ysabeau both old and tall.  She should be tiny, stunningly beautiful, and at most in her early twenties. 

Several of the female characters are supposed to be tiny, but everybody on the show is tall.  Where's the representation for short people?? 😭

Deborah Harkness has gone on the record saying (relatively) recent trauma caused Ysabeau to age.  Hopefully that means the others in her family will be kept at their proper ages, but I doubt it...

[Umbelina]

1 hour ago, Zoe said:

Several of the female characters are supposed to be tiny, but everybody on the show is tall.  Where's the representation for short people?? 😭

Deborah Harkness has gone on the record saying (relatively) recent trauma caused Ysabeau to age.  Hopefully that means the others in her family will be kept at their proper ages, but I doubt it...

Oh please.  If there is one thing we all know?  Vampires do not age. 

[TiffanyNichelle]

I finally finished the show. I'm another book reader who was disappointed in the show overall.  It felt like they were speeding up some things while also stretching a lot of things out. So in the last episode they had to cram in a bunch of stuff since they wanted to end the first season with the first book.

At first I didn't like the casting of Matthew because in my head he always seemed bigger physically. Like a French Jason Momoa or something. But he grew on me. Never came around to the castings of Ysabeau (too old!) or Baldwin (not sure what I expected but not that). I too wish they'd done a better job of describing the daemons. They don't get a lot attention in the book because they don't have very flashy obvious powers like the vampires or the witches but you at least understand what they are about. If I hadn't read the books I wouldn't know who or what was a daemon on the show. They seem like stand-ins for regular humans.

I didn't mind seeing what others were doing when Matthew or Diana aren't around since the first book is basically just their POVs. However too much Satu, imo, and Gillian becoming a much more sympathetic character was a little eh for me.

Is there a book thread where we can talk about the changes without having to use spoilers and bother the non-book viewers?

[Zoe]

10 minutes ago, TiffanyNichelle said:

and Gillian becoming a much more sympathetic character was a little eh for me.

Thiiiiis.  When I rewatched the first few episodes after bingeing the books, I couldn't believe that they made her friends with Gillian and how friendly her first meeting with Knox was.

[Nessie]

On 5/30/2019 at 1:38 AM, Umbelina said:

I agree.

I'm so disappointed.  Deborah Harkness (the author) has a Facebook page and she was so freaking excited when her books were going to be made into a show.  What a mess they've made of them.

I do love the books (I've even reread them) but the show is dropping all the best stuff, and honestly, it's partly SUPPOSED to be a mystery and the discovery of everything takes time, but it's pretty thrilling to watch Diana and Mathew find their way as a couple, while simultaneously being both in peril and trying to figure things out.

This could have been done SO much better!

I hate the stupid Twilight-style music.  I hate that they made Ysabeau both old and tall.  She should be tiny, stunningly beautiful, and at most in her early twenties. 

Next season should be fabulous, and take several new turns.  One character I already know will be ruined, and I'm already pissed about it. MAJOR spoiler below, really only for book people.

  Reveal spoiler

Phillipe will have to be old now too DAMN it!

I fear they have already revealed too much though, and I'm not sure how well they will manage next season after watching the first season's efforts.  Having mysteries should never be boring, but somehow they have managed to do that.

There has been no penetration during sex, unless they have completely changed the books, which I doubt.  However, oral sex with a vampire with centuries of experience who almost never tires and can move extremely fast (including his tongue) would probably be pretty great.

If you want to know more about the book characters, there is a good wiki here (full of spoilers I'm sure)  https://allsoulstrilogy.fandom.com/wiki/The_Series

For several of the questions asked in this thread already?  They will (or should) be answered in due time.  There is a reason things are unclear right now, but honestly, not daemons.  Both Mathew and Diana know about them so I have no idea why the show is being unclear.

I'll tag it just in case, but I did answer this one earlier. 

  Reveal spoiler

Daemons present as different than regular humans.  They may be geniuses in any kind of field, are often considered odd by humans, and many slip over into insanity.  Rock stars, scientists, mathematicians, artists, etc. but they may forget where their keys are, or to eat, or may just go completely insane.  The rest is part of the mystery in the books.

I agree with everything you've said @Umbelina.  The writing could have been better, but the casting really let me down.  Let's set aside Matthew and Diana for the moment and all the problems I have with them.  I can get over Miriam being almost as tall as Matthew, or Nathaniel being a black Englishman instead of a blond Australian, or even Marcus being Hugo from Killing Eve (and it took me a really long time to figure that out, despite the shows being back to back) instead of a blond, surfer-looking American, but Lindsay Duncan (as lovely as she is) is simply too old at 68 to be Ysabeau.  She is supposed to look younger than Matthew.  I don't get it..did TPTB think the viewers wouldn't understand how Matthew's "mother" could be younger than him?  I really hope you're wrong about the character you put in the spoiler bar, because he's one of my favorites and that will piss me off, but I fear you are correct.  I almost can't wait to see how they screw up

Spoiler

Gallowglass.

The less said about Baldwin the better.

After initially being very let down by the casting of Matthew and Diana, I guess I'm getting used to them, although I still don't see much chemistry between them (and I still don't think Matthew Good is physically imposing enough).

The only characters I think they got spot-on were Juliette and Dominico.  They look pretty much exactly like I thought they should (the girl who played Juliette is gorgeous, and she actually showed some spunk!)

On 5/30/2019 at 11:10 AM, Zoe said:

Several of the female characters are supposed to be tiny, but everybody on the show is tall.  Where's the representation for short people?? 😭

Deborah Harkness has gone on the record saying (relatively) recent trauma caused Ysabeau to age.  Hopefully that means the others in her family will be kept at their proper ages, but I doubt it...

First point - as a vertically challenged person myself, AMEN!  

Second point - that makes no sense at all.  We are seeing the events from the first book, in which we are explicitly told by Diana that Ysabeau looks like she is in her early 30's.  How "recent trauma" might have affected her doesn't mean squat.  Sounds like they wanted to use Lindsey Duncan and they're trying to justify it.

On 5/30/2019 at 1:46 PM, TiffanyNichelle said:

(snip)

Is there a book thread where we can talk about the changes without having to use spoilers and bother the non-book viewers?

I snipped most of your post for length, but I agreed with all of it, too.

I wish there was a book thread as well, because I would love to have a place to discuss them without bothering the non-book readers.

Despite my complaints, I'm glad to read above that the show has been renewed for a 2nd & 3rd season.  The 2nd book was my favorite and I'm really looking forward to seeing it on screen (praying they don't mess it up too badly).

[Zoe]

56 minutes ago, Nessie said:

Second point - that makes no sense at all.  We are seeing the events from the first book, in which we are explicitly told by Diana that Ysabeau looks like she is in her early 30's.  How "recent trauma" might have affected her doesn't mean squat.  Sounds like they wanted to use Lindsey Duncan and they're trying to justify it.

Oh for sure it's just an excuse. I just hope that by putting a reason to it, that means they don't have to do the same for Philippe.

57 minutes ago, Nessie said:

I wish there was a book thread as well, because I would love to have a place to discuss them without bothering the non-book readers.

Maybe something in the book forum?

I just started watching Outlander, and it makes me realize how much better this show would have been with Diana's narration. Probably wanted to avoid too much comparison though considering next season 😕

[Umbelina]

Ysabeau being so tall completely screws up a huge part of next season too.   Her age is ridiculous as well, and that big a screw up is really unforgivable.

Next season

Spoiler

Diana doesn't fit in because, in part, she is far too tall for the times, and Ysabeau was  born at least a thousand years before that in all probability AND is taller than Diana!  I also don't know how they will possibly handle the problem of mastering how to speak or even understand what people are saying, which was another big part of it all.  Frankly, I don't think either actor is up to it.

Sigh

[Nessie]

1 hour ago, Zoe said:

Oh for sure it's just an excuse. I just hope that by putting a reason to it, that means they don't have to do the same for Philippe.

From your fingers to the producers ears...

I don't think the books ever specified how old Philippe looked, but he is supposed to be incredibly handsome and charismatic (but then again, so is Matthew and they missed the mark with him, IMO).

Spoiler

We also don't meet Philippe in modern times, so hopefully no "recent traumas" to age him.

[Umbelina]

2 hours ago, Nessie said:

From your fingers to the producers ears...

Spoiler

I don't think the books ever specified how old Philippe looked, but he is supposed to be incredibly handsome and charismatic (but then again, so is Matthew and they missed the mark with him, IMO).

  Hide contents

We also don't meet Philippe in modern times, so hopefully no "recent traumas" to age him.

Oh yes, the book specified. 

Spoiler

He's tall, muscular, golden gleaming hair, beyond handsome and fit, with magnetic eyes.  "A Greek God."  Mid-thirties at most, but I think he was late twenties.

[Zoe]

Aside from the servants and Gerbert, I think Matthew is supposed to be the physically oldest vampire. Seems like most of them got turned in their 20's or early 30's.

[Nessie]

3 hours ago, Zoe said:

Aside from the servants and Gerbert, I think Matthew is supposed to be the physically oldest vampire. Seems like most of them got turned in their 20's or early 30's.

It just makes sense, really.  I mean, not to be ageist, but why would you turn an old, or even middle-aged person?  If I was a young-looking, beautiful vampire, I would only turn young, beautiful people.

The book does say ALL the vampires are exceptionally beautiful.

10 hours ago, Umbelina said:

Oh yes, the book specified. 

  Reveal spoiler

He's tall, muscular, golden gleaming hair, beyond handsome and fit, with magnetic eyes.  "A Greek God."  Mid-thirties at most, but I think he was late twenties.

Thanks!  I remember the Greek God description, but not what age he looked.

[AngelKitty]

2 minutes ago, Nessie said:

The book does say ALL the vampires are exceptionally beautiful.

Heh, heh, pretty much all the vampire books say all the vampires are beautiful.

[TexasGal]

On 5/26/2019 at 9:22 PM, SimoneS said:

I couldn't figure out what happened when Matthew and Diana time traveled because AMC interrupted the scene. Nice work, AMC.

Wait - there was a full scene?  My recording cut as the other witches bust into the room, is there more after that?

[Zoe]

2 minutes ago, TexasGal said:

Wait - there was a full scene?  My recording cut as the other witches bust into the room, is there more after that?

It ends on her turning around in a candle-lit room.

[Umbelina]

1 hour ago, Nessie said:

It just makes sense, really.  I mean, not to be ageist, but why would you turn an old, or even middle-aged person?  If I was a young-looking, beautiful vampire, I would only turn young, beautiful people.

The book does say ALL the vampires are exceptionally beautiful.

Thanks!  I remember the Greek God description, but not what age he looked.

Nah, they aren't all exceptionally beautiful, but they are all are striking, that could be a combination of focus, skin, and something being not quite human about them.  Powerful witches are noticed as well, as are exceptional daemons.  Many of the oldest are quite young, since humans really didn't live that long way back when.  Some did of course, but 40 used to be considered "old age" for most.

I suppose there is something to be said for vampires choosing to "turn" beautiful humans.

I think the actual "turning" process does improve looks some, even adds a bit of height, but not that much. 

I'm trying to even think of someone who could play him on the show. 

Philip though, is exceptionally handsome, which may be because

Spoiler

he really is, at least in part, related to the ancient Greek Gods.  She certainly drops some hints about that.

Edited June 3, 2019 by Umbelina

[Zoe]

Another tall woman cast 😭

[wanderingstar]

I'm just here for the pretty that is Matthew Goode.

ETA:

Quote

I find the idea of an all-knowing ancient male stalking and controlling a much younger female to be unnerving and out of touch with everything that's going on in society today.

Quote

That's exactly what I felt about the character in the book

This is why I stopped reading the book after the first few pages. That vibe just oozed off the page, and I didn't like it. I'm still getting that vibe from Matthew in the show, but the pretty of MG is sort of distracting me (I'm not proud of this, BTW).

Edited June 6, 2019 by Gillian Rosh

[dubbel zout]

Diana in the book pushes back somewhat, but that aspect really annoyed me as I slogged through the books. It's really not until the third book that she's given any decent level of autonomy.

[Umbelina]

3 hours ago, Gillian Rosh said:

I'm just here for the pretty that is Matthew Goode.

ETA:

This is why I stopped reading the book after the first few pages. That vibe just oozed off the page, and I didn't like it. I'm still getting that vibe from Matthew in the show, but the pretty of MG is sort of distracting me (I'm not proud of this, BTW).

You should have kept reading, because that is not all all the story that the book tells.  (We need a book thread here!)

2 hours ago, dubbel zout said:

Diana in the book pushes back somewhat, but that aspect really annoyed me as I slogged through the books. It's really not until the third book that she's given any decent level of autonomy.

She starts way before that.  She

Spoiler

tells him off in England, she manages in France and defies him there as well, and holds her own in Prague as well.  They become equals before the third book, and in the third book of course, she, if anything, is far more powerful than he.  She even heroically rescues him, and gets her way about the covenant in Venice as well.

Edited June 6, 2019 by Umbelina

[Whimsy]

Unfortunately, only threads with a certain amount of responses per episode gets their own forum with multiple threads (such as book talk). I don’t think this show will ever reach that criteria so you just have to talk about all show & book related things here. 

[Meredith Quill]

Mod Note:

You are welcome to discuss the books in here but if it hasn't happened on the show yet please put related book talk under spoiler tags, as some of you are already doing - we appreciate it.

Thanks

[wanderingstar]

So, I finished season 1. Is it me, or did The Book of Life turn out to be a MacGuffin? At first, all the characters were chomping at the bit to get their hands on it, then the story became more about Diana's powers and keeping her and Matthew apart, and the book was more or less forgotten.

[Zoe]

16 minutes ago, Gillian Rosh said:

So, I finished season 1. Is it me, or did The Book of Life turn out to be a MacGuffin? At first, all the characters were chomping at the bit to get their hands on it, then the story became more about Diana's powers and keeping her and Matthew apart, and the book was more or less forgotten.

The show flubbed this by not going into the significance of the page from Diana's parents.

[dubbel zout]

The Book of Life is behind the entire story, but focus does go to other things throughout the series, especially the second book. The third book is where things finally snap together.

[AnimeMania]

I am sure the symbol that was burned into Diana's hand was very important and that came from The Book of Life. There are probably secrets about the origins of Witches, Vampires, and Demons, their weaknesses, and their relationship to each other.

[dubbel zout]

It takes Diana and Matthew three books to figure it all out, so the season ending where it did isn't cheating that particular time line.

That said, I think the writers are putting the emphasis on the wrong syllables, as it were. I hope the second seasons fixes some of that.

[Quilt Fairy]

On 6/10/2019 at 1:35 PM, dubbel zout said:

That said, I think the writers are putting the emphasis on the wrong syllables, as it were. I hope the second seasons fixes some of that.

This is a good way of putting it.  I never read the books originally, but I got the first volume from the library recently in the hopes that it would fill in some of the blanks in what I thought was a very confusing story.  I've been skimming, but even so it's clear that so much has been left out of the story on TV (or just changed) that it's no wonder I couldn't figure things out. 

[abbey]

i am an Outlander reader also, and while I was disappointed at things they changed/left out in the tv version, Discovery of Witches is so much worse, constrained as they are by only 8 episodes.  I just finished reading the first book again just to keep everything straight.  Saying the writers are putting the emphasis on the wrong syllables is the perfect way to put it.  There was so much to put in that I suppose they did the best they could under the circumstances but to take that book and only give it 8 episodes is a disgrace.  I think the development of the relationship between Diana and Matthew especially received short shrift.

Baldwin didn't come across as particularly menacing, as compared to the book, and if I hadn't read the book I would have no understanding of what daemons are. 

I am hoping they do a better job with books 2 & 3.

'

[spaceghostess]

On 4/8/2019 at 11:42 PM, paisley said:

This is my kind of show. I hope it doesn't go wrong like True Blood and Penny Dreadful. They really hurt my feelings.

But Goode is good.

Liked for your comment about TB and PD--they hurt my feelings, too. 😞

And Goode is why I watched this whole thing in, like, three days, when I'm not even that crazy about it. He's a yummy treat. I just wish Theresa Palmer had a little more (or any?) charisma. I mean, don't make Matthew do all the heavy lifting himself. Unless all the heavy lifting is done shirtless.

Also, a little humor in the scripts wouldn't go amiss.

Edited June 19, 2019 by spaceghostess

[Nessie]

I really wish I loved Matthew Good as much as some of you.  It would make the series so much more  enjoyable for me.  I do enjoy him more when his shirt is off #yesI'mshallowsowhat

Not sure if this counts as a spoiler, but just in case:

Spoiler

Now that the relatively minor (at least in book 2) role of Phoebe has been cast, any news on Philippe or Gallowglass?

I'm steeling myself to be disappointed...

[Zoe]

No further casting news yet, but two actors (see spoiler) posted a video saying they had finished the first week of filming last week.  More casting news is expected near the end of July or August.

Spoiler

Sarah and Em at Sept Tours.  The first day of filming was for episode 5, no word if their scenes were for the same episode.

They're filming out of sequence to accommodate Teresa Palmer and probably due to the vastly different sets they'll need to use this season.

[Zoe]

Official press release for S2 with the first look and casting news: 

https://www.skygroup.sky/corporate/media-centre/articles/en-gb/travel-back-in-time-to-elizabethan-england-with-series-two-of-sky-original-drama-a-discovery-of-witches

Since they've already announced Benjamin's actor but there's no mention of other Prague characters, they're probably going to move all of that to London.

[Umbelina]

James Purefoy as Philippe, the golden haired God, the most strikingly handsome man Diana has ever seen, with the pale golden tawny light brown eyes:

Steven Cree, he's 5'9" tall, as Gallowglass:

ahem and a huge sigh

Edited September 6, 2019 by Umbelina

[Umbelina]

The rest of the new cast is in this article.

https://www.skygroup.sky/corporate/media-centre/articles/en-gb/travel-back-in-time-to-elizabethan-england-with-series-two-of-sky-original-drama-a-discovery-of-witches

Steven Cree (Outlander), Sheila Hancock (Doctor Who), James Purefoy (The Following) and Paul Rhys (Vincent and Theo) join the cast.

Cree stars as Gallowglass De Clermont, a vampire and soldier of fortune who is particularly fond of his uncle, Matthew. James Purefoy plays the role of Philippe De Clermont, founder of the Congregation, commander of the Knights of Lazarus, mate of Ysabeau, and stepfather to Matthew. Paul Rhys is Andrew Hubbard, the vampire ruler of all creatures in London in 1590 and Sheila Hancock appears as elder witch Goody Alsop.

The cast for season two also includes Barbara Marten (Casualty) as Queen Elizabeth, Jacob Ifan (Cuffs) as Benjamin Fuchs, Holly Aird (Waking the Dead) as Francoise, Michael Lindall (Deep State) as Sir Walter Raleigh, Adam Sklar (Faceless) as Henry Percy, Joshua Pickering as Jack Blackfriars, Elaine Cassidy (Harper’s Island) as Louise De Clermont, Victoria Yeates (Call the Midwife) as Elizabeth Jackson / Water Witch, Adrian Rawlins (Chernobyl) as William Cecil, Lois Chimimba (Doctor Who) as Catherine Streeter/ Fire Witch, Amy McAllister (Philomena) as Marjorie Cooper/Earth Witch, Milo Twomey (Mother, Father, Son) as Pierre and the recently announced Tom Hughes (Victoria) playing Kit Marlowe.

Edited September 7, 2019 by Umbelina

[CAM]

A promotional photo of Steven Cree (Gallowglass) in full costume was posted on Facebook.

[Nessie]

On 9/6/2019 at 9:13 PM, Umbelina said:

The rest of the new cast is in this article.

https://www.skygroup.sky/corporate/media-centre/articles/en-gb/travel-back-in-time-to-elizabethan-england-with-series-two-of-sky-original-drama-a-discovery-of-witches

Steven Cree (Outlander), Sheila Hancock (Doctor Who), James Purefoy (The Following) and Paul Rhys (Vincent and Theo) join the cast.

Cree stars as Gallowglass De Clermont, a vampire and soldier of fortune who is particularly fond of his uncle, Matthew. James Purefoy plays the role of Philippe De Clermont, founder of the Congregation, commander of the Knights of Lazarus, mate of Ysabeau, and stepfather to Matthew. Paul Rhys is Andrew Hubbard, the vampire ruler of all creatures in London in 1590 and Sheila Hancock appears as elder witch Goody Alsop.

The cast for season two also includes Barbara Marten (Casualty) as Queen Elizabeth, Jacob Ifan (Cuffs) as Benjamin Fuchs, Holly Aird (Waking the Dead) as Francoise, Michael Lindall (Deep State) as Sir Walter Raleigh, Adam Sklar (Faceless) as Henry Percy, Joshua Pickering as Jack Blackfriars, Elaine Cassidy (Harper’s Island) as Louise De Clermont, Victoria Yeates (Call the Midwife) as Elizabeth Jackson / Water Witch, Adrian Rawlins (Chernobyl) as William Cecil, Lois Chimimba (Doctor Who) as Catherine Streeter/ Fire Witch, Amy McAllister (Philomena) as Marjorie Cooper/Earth Witch, Milo Twomey (Mother, Father, Son) as Pierre and the recently announced Tom Hughes (Victoria) playing Kit Marlowe.

The headscratching casting continues...although I don't mind Tom Hughes as Kit Marlowe.  They might have actually got that one right.

I am very disappointed in the casting of Philippe and Gallowglass, though.  I love Steven Cree on Outlander, but can't see him as Gallowglass.  He's just not physically intimidating enough.

On 9/5/2019 at 10:59 AM, Zoe said:

Official press release for S2 with the first look and casting news: 

https://www.skygroup.sky/corporate/media-centre/articles/en-gb/travel-back-in-time-to-elizabethan-england-with-series-two-of-sky-original-drama-a-discovery-of-witches

Since they've already announced Benjamin's actor but there's no mention of other Prague characters, they're probably going to move all of that to London.

I'm torn on if I think this is good news or not (moving everything to London).  I didn't love the Prague story line with the King - I actually think it went on too long and was kind of icky - but I would love to see it in the early 17th century (and I hope we still get Mop).

[Umbelina]

On 10/30/2019 at 2:00 PM, Nessie said:

The headscratching casting continues...although I don't mind Tom Hughes as Kit Marlowe.  They might have actually got that one right.

I am very disappointed in the casting of Philippe and Gallowglass, though.  I love Steven Cree on Outlander, but can't see him as Gallowglass.  He's just not physically intimidating enough.

I'm torn on if I think this is good news or not (moving everything to London).  I didn't love the Prague story line with the King - I actually think it went on too long and was kind of icky - but I would love to see it in the early 17th century (and I hope we still get Mop).

Yeah, the casting bothers me a LOT.  On the author's Facebook post about the new cast, she added a warning/restriction/whatever about "no age shaming, or any other kind of negative post about the cast allowed."

I've followed her for quite a while, she used to post such interesting additional information about them, locations that inspired her, documents of the types in the books, the clothes of the times, etc.  After that last post I decided this show, and especially that ill advised post was making me dislike her, along with praising the casting that PAID NO ATTENTION to what she had actually written, as if she's thrilled and fans of the book are being nasty and too critical.  I have never seen a "nasty" post there, but before her warning/restrictions there were posts that said something like "Isn't Ysabeau supposed to look like a movie star in her twenties?"  "Why did they cast someone so old?  What will that do to the Greek God-like Phillippe?"

Her BS response to the Ysabeau question was that a younger actress wouldn't be able to carry the gravitas of the story, or some such idiocy.

Anyway, yeah, I was disappointed in the first season casting, and the second season just makes it worse.  I may watch, but honestly, I love the books, and these people bear almost no relation to the characters she wrote, and her blaming the viewers/book readers/fans for not being thrilled that Ysabeau is a crone, and Gallowglass is too small, as body shaming?  

Shame on her.

I dunno, the whole thing left a bad taste, and no, I don't like the new cast anymore than I liked the first season cast.

That said, while

Spoiler

Prague did drag

on a bit in the book, I think it has a much better chance of being interesting on screen.  

To me, it was simply essential that a few characters were "right."  The two leads weren't perfect but they worked in most ways.  Ysabeau, Phillippe, and Gallowglass though?  They should have NAILED those.

Kit and Hubbard work well, Satu and Dominic are OK as well.  The rest, from season 1 as well?  Hey, is it THAT hard to cast actors that slightly resemble the descriptions in the book?  https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2019-05-24/meet-the-cast-of-a-discovery-of-witches/

Edited November 2, 2019 by Umbelina
added spoiler tag

[vavera4ka]

just finished reading (well, listening to) the second book.

loved it and now I'm super interested to see how they put it all to screen.

The way Diana's magic works, the settings, the famous people...

[slf]

I wonder if they finished filming before all this started and, if so, when season two will air.

[AnimeMania]

Best I could find:

We know filming was completed in the UK in late 2019 and in Italy in January 2020, meaning the show might just have dodged the major issues other shows are currently facing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While production is halting on many other series, ADOW seems to have got all of its material shot before social distancing restrictions were put in place. This suggests season two is on course to air in 2020. Watch this space for more news on that, though.

[Umbelina]

On 5/23/2020 at 6:25 PM, AnimeMania said:

Best I could find:

We know filming was completed in the UK in late 2019 and in Italy in January 2020, meaning the show might just have dodged the major issues other shows are currently facing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While production is halting on many other series, ADOW seems to have got all of its material shot before social distancing restrictions were put in place. This suggests season two is on course to air in 2020. Watch this space for more news on that, though.

Honestly, I don't think I will watch it.

I'm re-reading the books, which I love for several reasons.  I don't want the terrible casting to screw that up.  Ysabeau as an old crone with a scratchy voice, and Gallowglass as a tiny short guy?  No thanks, it's honestly too ridiculous to bother watching, and frankly, ruins the whole damn thing.

I was also super disappointed in the witch water scene.  I get that they are on a budget and don't give a damn about her books (OBVIOUSLY) but seriously?  They left out the touching parts, and the tension, and of course, obviously "their" Ysabeau

Spoiler

couldn't sing, and apparently lip syncing was too much trouble.

  That was a pivotal moment but it played as silly and had no emotional impact.  

The devil is in the details in this well written and complicated tale, and to me anyway, it's obvious that the director or writer (at BEST) skimmed the books, and is just haphazardly throwing anything that they think will be both cheap to film AND expedient to get to something exciting.  

There is a theme in the books about lying, and the bad taste it leaves, nearly repulsing other witches.  In a way that's how I feel about the author now.  She lied on that Facebook post about "a younger actress couldn't have pulled off Ysabeau" and a few other things with her unbridled enthusiasm for having her book shredded.  It has left a bad taste, to the point of nearly disliking her (for me.)  Supporting a 5'8" Gallowglass and raving about it?  COME ON.  I've decided to just enjoy the books and not let this money grab slap dash filmed version taint them.

I do want to see the ending though, especially Diana's

Spoiler

complete transformation

so who knows?  I might at least watch that, or look at the photos anyway.

Some writers/directors can change books significantly in ways that ADD to the story and enrich rather than ruin it, and I can enjoy the books and the movie for different reasons.  

These writers, casting directors, producers, directors though?  Oh HELL no.

[mledawn]

I just started watching this - I remember being intrigued by the commercials a year or so ago, but I've never read the books.

I am on episode 5 and I have no idea what the fuck is happening in this show. I mean, sure - I have a vague idea, but on the whole, it's jumping around something fierce. It starts with the assumption that the audience knows a certain amount of information but the show isn't entirely clear with that. 

Diana's results from her DNA have now allowed Matthew to love her or something? WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING!?

I'm going to keep watching because the leads are so pretty but I will probably have to go read the books now to really get the plot. Also, definitely Twilight with adults and not digging that vibe totally. Will absolutely continue to watch, however.

[Rahul]

 

On 7/21/2020 at 6:09 PM, mledawn said:

I am on episode 5 and I have no idea what the fuck is happening in this show. I mean, sure - I have a vague idea, but on the whole, it's jumping around something fierce. It starts with the assumption that the audience knows a certain amount of information but the show isn't entirely clear with that. 

This show has had such a long break between seasons, and there still hasn't been any announcement when season 2 will air. I doubt I will have any idea what is going on when it returns either.