SDCC 2018: A Discovery of Witches

The book-to-TV adaptation of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness has been long-awaited by fans. So, the excitement was palpable at San Diego Comic-Con 2018 when the cast and creatores took the stage.

Cast members Teresa Palmer (playing the lead, Diana Bishop), Owen Teale (playing Peter Knox), Alex Kingston (Sarah Bishop), Valerie Pettiford (Emily Mather) joined author Deborah Harkness and executive producer, Lachlan MacKinnon to chat about what fans can expect to see. They also announced (finally) where U.S. audiences will be able to watch the show (previously it was only scheduled to air in the U.K. on Sky TV): Sundance Now and Shudder.

Here are some of our favorite soundbites from the panel:

Deborah Harkness on bringing A Discovery of Witches to life:
“We pursued a movie project first. It became clear that this wasn’t going to fit in a 90 minute time frame.”

“Being different can save the world, and that’s what this show is about.”

Lachlan MacKinnon on adapting the book for screen:
“You’re bringing a novel off the page and ontot he screeen…very different to do on televsiion. We had to go on a journey…we had to work with Deb to maybe cherry pick from later novels to introduce in the beginning to set up a television world.”

Theresa Palmer on embodying Diana and working with Matthew Goode (who plays vampire Matthew Clairmont):
“I read the books and the script. I fell in love with her bravery and passion and her commitment to her studies. She’s a beautiful person.”

“We met each other and the spark was between us from the start.” – Theresa on Matthew Goode

“It is a forbidden love…I just, I think, pardon the pun, it’s otherworldly…they have a need for each other.”

“I remember asking Deborah, ‘Do you have any idea of how she lights the candles on fire?”…How did [magic] unravel from her body? So, it was actually quite technical.”

Alex Kingston on Sarah and Emily’s love story and characters:
“We have a lovely house. Wait until you see the interior! The spell room, it’s fabulous.”

“This is the thing I find so interesting about the novels: that the world of the creatures’ sexuality is not a problem at all. The racism is between the different species. There’s no question of Sarah and Em’s love. The questioning is between a witch and a vampire..and the same with ethnicity, nothing. It definitely addresses the same problems that humans have but in different ways.”

Owen Teale on being the “bad” guy and the world of the show:
“Their powers are diminishing…I think it’s a wonderful parallel for all sorts of things going on in the world as well.”

“You might look at him as a villain….but he has integrity. His cause is to put his species back where they belong, equal with vampires….call me a baddie if you want. I’m going to stick up for my character. He brings a lot of drama!”

A Discovery of Witches premieres in the U.K. this fall. Be on the lookout for an airdate announcement for the U.S.!