EXCLUSIVE: The Witch Farm, the hit paranormal podcast from Danny Robins, is to be adapted into a BBC drama series.
The British broadcaster has greenlit a four-part series of the same name from The Forsytes producer Mammoth Screen, with Gabrielle Creevy (Black Doves) and Michael Socha (Showtrial) cast as leads.
Robins, whose Uncanny podcast series topped BBC Sounds’ listening charts last year, has written the series, having previously created the West End stage show 2:22 – A Ghost Story.
Here’s The Witch Farm‘s logline: “South Wales, 1989. Bill and Liz Rich leave London for Heol Fanog, a remote modern farmhouse in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, determined to make a fresh start. At first, the isolation feels like freedom. But when, in the midst of a traumatic home birth, Liz becomes convinced she’s seen a ghostly figure in the bedroom, they start to feel increasingly afraid.
“What follows is a steady escalation of the chillingly uncanny – unexplained disturbances and an unsettling sense that they are not alone. As Bill and Liz begin to investigate, the house draws them deeper into a history that refuses to stay buried. And as the land yields its secrets, so too does their marriage – testing the limits of trust, belief, and what they’re willing to deny to survive.”
The Witch Farm is inspired by the real events, theories, and witness accounts, but the BBC series will create or change some elements of the story for dramatic purposes. Filming is due to begin soon.
Robins said: “Get ready for a supernatural thriller that plays out as the most deliciously dark detective story — an emotional rollercoaster that will have you gripped, moved and spine-tingled. I can’t wait to spook you out.”
Lindsay Salt, BBC director of drama, said: “Taking BBC drama viewers into the hugely popular world of Danny’s podcasts for the first time is incredibly exciting, and in Gabrielle and Michael we have the perfect leads. Whether you’re already a fan of Danny’s work or are coming to the story of The Witch Farm for the first time, be prepared for some scares.”
The Witch Farm is written and created by Robins, directed by Stacey Gregg (Bad Sisters), and produced by Megan Ott. The executive producers are Simon Barnard, Gregg and Robins; James Gandhi and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen; and Nawfal Faizullah and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC.
Mammoth’s creative director Rebecca Keane has overseen the development of the series. The Welsh Government has provided additional funding via Creative Wales. The series will be produced in association with and distributed internationally by ITV Studios.
The original podcast was a Bafflegab and Uncanny Media production for BBC Radio 4. Joseph Fiennes and Alexandra Roach starred in the podcast.
