Sarah Lancashire Leads Netflix’s New Horror Thriller Witch Hunt
Sarah Lancashire is taking on one of her darkest roles yet in Witch Hunt, a new Netflix thriller from The Split creator Abi Morgan that blends crime, gothic horror and modern-day witchcraft.
Set to arrive on Netflix in 2028, the series centres on August Howell, a convicted murderer whose return to her hometown forces a painful family history back into the spotlight — just as a new killer begins terrorising the community.
Lancashire, known for Happy Valley and Netflix’s Black Doves, says she is excited by the complexity of the character.
“There’s so much to explore in August,” Lancashire says. “I can’t wait to begin.”
A homecoming nobody wants
Witch Hunt begins with August Howell being released from prison after serving several decades for drowning her three young daughters.
Her return to the university town is anything but welcomed. The community remains deeply affected by what happened, and tensions quickly grow around the woman now coming back into their lives.
August’s return also raises fears that she has triggered a modern-day witch hunt.
As the atmosphere in the town becomes increasingly uneasy, police face another problem: a serial killer is on the loose.
To help identify the killer, investigators turn to Professor Wren Howell, August’s only surviving daughter. An academic and investigative psychologist, Wren is drawn back into the story of the mother she has spent decades separated from.
That gives the series two mysteries running alongside each other — the search for a present-day killer and the unresolved question of whether a mother and daughter can ever rebuild a relationship after such a devastating past.
Sarah Lancashire steps into a very different role
For Lancashire, August Howell represents a striking change from some of the characters that have made her a familiar face in British crime drama.
The actor previously worked with Morgan more than 25 years ago, and the writer says she has been looking for the right role for Lancashire ever since.
Morgan describes Witch Hunt as a dark, emotionally charged story centred on an estranged mother and daughter. She also sees the series as a combination of gothic horror and dark thriller, with modern-day witchcraft woven into the story.
At the heart of August’s character is an uncomfortable question: after serving her sentence, can she ever be forgiven for what she did?
That question is likely to become just as important as the investigation into the serial killer.
Abi Morgan brings another dark story to Netflix
Morgan created Witch Hunt and is also serving as an executive producer. Her previous work includes The Split and Netflix’s Eric.
She says the new drama allows her to explore a story with three generations of women at its centre while retaining the humanity that has become a defining element of her writing.
Jane Featherstone, who is also an executive producer on Netflix’s Black Doves, is working on the series as well.
Featherstone previously collaborated with Morgan on The Split and believes Lancashire is particularly suited to the role of August.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with Sarah Lancashire over the past few years, and she still surprises me every time,” Featherstone says. “She is extraordinary, and I’m thrilled she’ll be playing August.”
A crime story with a supernatural edge
While the central mystery involves a serial killer, Witch Hunt is not being presented as a straightforward crime thriller.
Morgan describes the series as a story where gothic horror, dark thriller elements and modern-day witchcraft come together.
That supernatural thread is tied to the history surrounding August and the so-called “Witch of Cambridge,” giving the series another layer beyond the investigation itself.
The result is a story that moves between a troubled family relationship, a frightened community and a dangerous criminal investigation.
When will Witch Hunt arrive on Netflix?
Netflix has confirmed that Witch Hunt is scheduled to premiere in 2028, although an exact release date has not yet been announced. The series is planned as a six-episode drama.
Netflix has also yet to reveal the actor playing Professor Wren Howell or announce the rest of the cast.
For now, the combination of Sarah Lancashire, Abi Morgan and a story that crosses crime, family drama and gothic horror makes Witch Hunt one of Netflix’s upcoming British productions to keep an eye on.
The central mystery may be about a killer — but the more unsettling question could be whether August Howell can ever return home without bringing her past back with her.