NEW YORK, NY – February 4, 2019 – In just two weeks, “A Discovery of Witches” has become the most successful title by far in the history of the Shudder and Sundance Now streaming services – driving record usage on both platforms.
Since all eight episodes premiered simultaneously on both services on January 17, “A Discovery of Witches” has driven 35x the number of streams of any previous premiere in its first two weeks. Total subscribers are up double digits across both services.
“We knew ‘A Discovery of Witches’ was a fantastic and special series when we acquired it last year, but to see it drive these record-breaking results across both our Shudder and Sundance Now streaming services is beyond our wildest expectations,” said Linda Pan, Senior Vice President of New Digital Businesses for AMC Networks. “What an amazing example of the passion and enthusiasm of avid fans driving real business results.”
Due to the success of the show in the U.S., the novel upon which the series is based, Deborah Harkness’ A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, returns to The New York Times Book Reviews’ Combined Print & E-Book Best Seller list on February 10.
“A Discovery of Witches” “potently mixes sensuality and the supernatural,” according to TV Guide, while the Los Angeles Times dubs it “elegant and satisfying” and Uproxx deems it “a wickedly good show that elevates itself from its genre predecessors.”
Produced by Bad Wolf, the Sky original production, based on the bestselling and critically-acclaimed novel of the same name by Deborah Harkness, “A Discovery of Witches,” stars Emmy® nominated actor Matthew Goode (“The Crown,” “Downton Abbey”), Teresa Palmer (Hacksaw Ridge), Alex Kingston (“ER,” “Doctor Who”), Valarie Pettiford (“Being Mary Jane”) and Owen Teale (“Game of Thrones”). The eight-episode drama is an enchanting modern-day love story set against the backdrop of Oxford academic life. Historian Diana Bishop (Palmer), a reluctant witch denying her heritage, accidently discovers a long-lost bewitched manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, and is immediately thrown into the heart of a dangerous underworld. On her journey, she finds herself tossed into the path of enigmatic vampire and geneticist, Matthew Clairmont (Goode), who hides a dark family secret.
Filmed in the UK at Wolf Studios Wales and on location in Oxford and Venice, “A Discovery of Witches” was adapted for screen by writer Kate Brooke (“Mr. Selfridge”), who also serves as executive producer. Co-founders of Bad Wolf, Jane Tranter (“The Night Of,” “Succession”) and Julie Gardner (“Doctor Who,” “Da Vinci’s Demons”) and Lachlan MacKinnon (“The White Princess,” “Burton & Taylor”) are executive producers along with author Deborah Harkness. Juan Carlos Medina (Painless), Alice Troughton (“Doctor Who”) and Sarah Walker (“Death in Paradise”) direct.
Second and third seasons of “A Discovery of Witches” have been announced for Sky, Sundance Now and Shudder. Season two is expected to begin production later this year.
###
About Sundance Now:
Sundance Now is AMC Networks’ premium streaming service, offering original and exclusive dramas, comedies, and true crime series, in addition to award-winning movies from every genre, including foreign-language and documentary features – all streaming commercial-free. Built on the Sundance legacy and curated by acclaimed filmmakers and cultural icons, Sundance Now is proud to present an extensive array of entertainment for a passionate and intellectually curious audience.
Sundance Now is available in the US, Canada, and Germany on most streaming devices for 6.99/month or 59.99/year. To stream SUNDANCE NOW commitment-free for 7 days, visit www.sundancenow.com.
Facebook/ Instagram/ YouTube: @SundanceNow; Twitter: @sundance_now
About Shudder:
AMC Networks’ SHUDDER is a premium streaming video service, super-serving fans of all degrees with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering thrillers, suspense, and horror. SHUDDER’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, and Germany on most streaming devices for 4.99/month or 49.99/year. To experience SHUDDER commitment-free for 7 days, visit www.shudder.com.
Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram/ YouTube: @shudder