A Discovery Of Witches Season 1 Review: Sexy Vampires, Powerful Witches, and Demons Without Much To Do

"A Discovery Of Wttches" is a British import. The eight episode first season is currently viewable on streaming services Shudder and SundanceNow. It is based on the "All Souls" trilogy of books by Deborah Harkness. The series has already been renewed for two additional seasons so this is only the beginning.

Diana Bishop (Theresa Palmer) is a visiting history professor at Oxford University. She's also a witch. After her parents were murdered, Diana went to live with her aunts. She has never embraced or investigated her powers.

Diana heads to the library one day. She asks for a book called Ashmole 182 and then all hell breaks loose.There are three supernatural species in the world. They include: witches, vampires and demons. They live amongst humans unnoticed. The groups have an uneasy truce thanks to each's participation is something called The Covenant. Their meeting place is an old castle hidden in a bay in Venice.

Supernatural beings are on the decline. Vampires can no longer "sire" new children. The book Diana asked for is also called "The Book Of Life". It holds the secret to the origins of the creatures and could save them.

Enter professor and geneticist Matthew Clairmont (a 1500 year old vampire). He is assisted by Miriam and Marcus (Mathew's vampire son). After meeting Diana, Matthew becomes immediately drawn to her. Relationships between witches and vampires are strictly prohibited. That doesnt stop these two lovebirds down. The two are convinced they are soulmates.

The witches are lead by Peter Knox (Owen Teale from "Game Of Thrones"). He is a nasty piece of work. A Finnish witch Satu Harvinen (Malin Buska) also arrives. She is a compelling and mysteriously presence. Much more of her please.

There's also Gerbert d'Aurillac. He is a member of the Congregation and has a witch's head in a box It keeps telling him "beware of the witch with the blood of the lion and the wolf for which it she shall destroy the children of the night". His "daughter" Juliette has an unrequited thing for Matthew. There's also Matthew's mother Ysabeau. She resides in Sept-Tour France. Matthew's brother Baldwin is also in the Congregation.

While the witches and vampires get a fair share to do during the season, the demons dont get much play. I'm still not sure what special powers demons have. We meet Nathaniel and his wife Sophie. She was born of witches so that's going to cause some ruckus. Nathaniel's mother Agatha is on the board of the Covenant.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). Think of "A Discovery Of Witches" as "Twilight" for adults. While the show doesnt add anything new to vampire, witch, or demon mythology, its still good soapy fun. The sets are beautifully stylized and alternate between London and Venice. There are plenty of shots of beautiful old buildings. The actors are excellent. Standouts include: Matthew Goode (Matthew Clairmont), Owen Teale (Peter Knox) and Malin Buska (Satu Jarvinen). With only eight episodes, "A Discovery Of Witches' is a fast watch. Can't wait next season.