Witches have been enthralling audiences for decades. From the momentBewitchedhit the airwaves back in 1964, witches have staked their claim in the television landscape, casting up some of the most popular series that have enriched our lives.
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From the spellbinding and hilarious antics ofSabrina, the Teenage Witch’sSabrina Spellman to the demon-slaying heroics of the sisters Halliwell inCharmed, witch-centric television shows are some of the best in the supernatural genre. There’s just about no problem a witch can’t vanquish.
Salem(2014 - 2017)
Salemwas not a show for the faint of heart. Set during the infamous Salem witch trials of the 17th century, the series depicted a reality in which witches utilized the most disturbing parts of the craft for their gain. Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery) was a woman in control of Salem, intent on inducing hysteria amongst its citizens to achieve her goal of summoning the Devil.
After the lost love of her life returns to town, Mary’s plans are derailed by his arrival. Known for its graphic scenes and often grotesque spell-casting,Salemnever shied away from some of the most unsettling forms of witchcraft. While a refreshing take on the genre, this was often at the detriment of the characters who inhabited the world, leaving nothing but a bad taste in viewers' mouths.
Good Witch(2015 - 2021)
Featuring light-hearted antics with a supernatural spin,Good Witchis the series for witch-centric television fans looking for something mellow. A follow-up to Hallmark’s long-running film series of the same name,Good Witchstars Catherine Bell as Cassie Nightingale, a witch living in the small town of Middleton, who uses her abilities to help the residents with any ailment.
The series blends the supernatural world with the low-stakes of a romance drama as Cassie and her daughter deal with their burgeoning feelings for the mortal neighbors that move in next door. WhileGood Witch’seasygoing tone makes for an easy watch, the series fails to bring anything tangible to the table, making it a series that is as forgettable as it is easygoing.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina(2018 - 2020)
Created as part of the Archie-verse,Chilling Adventures of Sabrinatookthe campiness of it’sRiverdale-basedsisterand upped the horror. Created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and based on his comic series of the same name,Chilling Adventuresis a wild ride from start to finish. Featuring a game performance byKiernan Shipka, the series saw the titular witch battle forces of darkness from malevolent spirits to the devil himself.
While deviating far from the original incarnation of Sabrina Spellman,Chilling Adventures of Sabrinaaptly brought the horror genre to Greendale and in doing so gave us a whole new take on Archie comics. Although its titular character and her friends left a lot to be desired, there’s something to be said for the spell she cast over audiences on Netflix.
American Horror Story: Coven(2013)
American Horror Story: Covenis an anomaly. Often regarded as one of the best seasons of the series,Coven’spopularity brought the series to the limelight. From dynamic performances fromJessica Lange,Sarah Paulson, andAngela Bassett, and multiple scene-stealing moments fromEmma Roberts' Madison Montgomery,Covenwas a force to be reckoned with.
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While a brilliant idea for the season,Covenjuggling multiple storylines led the series to lose its way as the season progressed. Storylines often ended in lackluster reveals, and plot lines disappeared into thin air. AlthoughCovenmay not have been the most satisfying season ofAmerican Horror Story, a trip back to the witches of New Orleans during season eight’sApocalypseprovided the closure fans thoroughly needed.
Motherland: Fort Salem(2020 - Present)
A series that crafted a brand-new view on witches on television,Motherland: Fort Salemis a thrilling ride with only a few speed bumps over its short three-season run. Set during a version of the U.S. run by women ever since the end of the Salem Witch Trials,Motherland: Fort Salemfollows three young witches as they join the U.S. Army.
Produced byWill FerrellandAdam McKay, the series blends genres, delivering an action-packed series for those who always needed to see a supernatural tinge on a military drama. Although not always sure of what to do with the side characters inhabiting the world,Motherland: Fort Salem’sexpert world-building quickly builds an interesting set of leads with Raelle, Abigail, and Tally,that’ll have you under their spell.
Witches of East End(2013 - 2014)
A well-crafted series that unfortunately met an untimely end,Witches of East Endadded a new ingredient to the witches' potion. Following the lives of the Beauchamp family in the small town of East End, the series followed the four women as they embraced the powers they were born with.
Based on a popular book, the series delved into the world of magic with an edge that relished in the darkness that comes with one’s powers. While not as well constructed throughout its first season as other witch-centric series that came before, the series struck a narrative goldmine in season two that allowed the series to shed the light soapiness of its first, to get down to the grittiness bubbling underneath. However, it wasn’t a strong enough mixture to get theWitches of East Endto a third season.
A Discovery of Witches(2018 - 2022)
Based onDeborah Harkness’All Soulsbook series,A Discovery of Witchesis a series that balances the intricacies of magic and the effects it has on the world beyond with marvelous results. After discovering a bewitched manuscript within the Bodleian Library, young witch Diana Bishop is reluctantly thrust back into the world of magic and teams up with vampire Matthew Clairmont to protect the book from those who desire it.
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A Discovery of Witcheshas a charm that makes it instantly captivating for any fan of the supernatural genre. The series effectively weaves its dense mythology within its world into the characters, giving them complex storylines and an even greater understanding of what makes them tick. WhileA Discovery of Witchesmay occasionally get a little lost in its voice, it never strays too far from its identity and makes for an incredibly satisfying watch.
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996 - 2003)
The show that brought Salem Saberhagen to the popular culture mainstream,Sabrina, the Teenage Witchwill forever be quintessential teen comedy viewing.Melissa Joan Hart’s Sabrina Spellman went through teenage adolescence unlike anyone else, as magic often interfered in a series of comical and unfortunate ways.
Rounding out the Spellman family, Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick’s Aunts Hilda and Zelda brought the perfect balance of parental energy that made you miss every moment they weren’t on-screen to give Sabrina the guidance she desperately needed. Growing pains are a part of every teens' life, andSabrina, the Teenage Witchshowed us that your youth was as magical as it was embarrassingly hilarious.
Bewitched(1964 - 1972)
The show credited with starting it all,Bewitchedremains the series that brought witches to the television mainstream. Unique and creative for the time,Bewitched’sbrand of witchy antics blended with home-life comedy brought a whole new perspective to the sitcom format that had effects for years to come. StarringElizabeth Montgomeryas Samantha Stevens, the series merged the supernatural world with the mortal in often humorous and heartfelt ways.
Although a magical series,Bewitchedwas plagued with undercooked plot lines, often failing to deliver an intriguing and peculiar world outside the supernatural antics within the Stevens home. However, the relationship at its core kept the show grounded, even as Samantha’s scene-stealing mother Endora (Agnes Moorehead) interfered. There’s a reason why audiences are stillbewitched by this series decades later.
Charmed(1998 - 2006)
There’s just about nothing the Charmed Ones can’t do. From vanquishing demons daily to running the most popular hot spots in San Francisco,Charmedis the peak of witch-centric television. Running for eight seasons,Charmedconstantly reinvented the wheel as sisters Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige, kept the demon hoards of the underworld at bay.
A series that exemplified the importance of sisterly bonds,Charmedoften utilized its family-friendly tone to deliver heartfelt storylines for audiences. Although the series occasionally struggled to deliver serialized storylines and compelling season-long arcs, there was never a dull episode to take you out of the action. There’s nothing but fun to be had whenever the Charmed Ones are around to save the day.
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