A long-awaited family reunion can, of course, be a blessing. But in Witch Hunt, starring Sarah Lancashire (Black Doves, Happy Valley), it may prove to be a curse.

The new thriller created by Abi Morgan (Eric, The Split) is officially set to arrive on Netflix in 2028. “I’m thrilled to be working with Abi Morgan, Jane Featherstone, SISTER Pictures, and Netflix on Witch Hunt,” says Lancashire. “It’s a brilliantly imagined and utterly compelling story, with a deeply complex character at its heart.” 

In the forthcoming series, the actor will portray August Howell, a convicted murderer who returns home to try and forge a relationship with her remaining daughter.

“There’s so much to explore in August,” Lancashire adds. “I can’t wait to begin.”

Witch Hunt kicks off when August is released after serving several decades in prison for drowning her three young daughters and comes home to a community that does not want her back. As concern grows that her return has triggered a modern-day witch hunt in the university town, the police must turn to August’s last surviving daughter, academic and investigative psychologist Professor Wren Howell, to help find a serial killer who is now terrifying the town.

Morgan describes Witch Hunt as a “dark yet emotionally charged love story” between an estranged mother and daughter, which she is “delighted” to be bringing to Netflix. “I last worked with Sarah Lancashire over 25 years ago. I have been chasing the perfect role for her ever since. This is it,” says the writer. “I can’t think of anyone better to embody the terrifying tenderness of the ‘Witch of Cambridge.’ It’s gothic horror meets dark thriller laced with modern-day witchcraft, raising the question: Can August ever be forgiven for her crime?”

Featherstone, who is also an executive producer on Netflix’s Black Doves, starring Lancashire, agrees that the actor is the right person to helm this project. “I’ve been lucky enough to work with Sarah Lancashire over the past few years, and she still surprises me every time. She is extraordinary, and I’m thrilled she’ll be playing August.” 

The EP previously worked with Morgan on The Split as well. “What I’ve always loved about Abi’s writing is the humanity she brings to even the darkest stories. Witch Hunt is a fascinating contemporary thriller, with three generations of women at its heart and all the wit and compassion that make her work so distinctive,” she says. “We can’t wait to share it with audiences around the world.”

To learn more about Witch Hunt, including who else is joining the cast, check back here for updates as they’re announced.