On a macro level, the series doesn't bring anything new to the genre - a strikingly handsome vampire (Matthew Goode) meets a beautiful witch (Teresa Palmer), they fall in love, other supernatural creatures pursue them, etc. But if you look closer, the unique narrative nuances are there, making A Discovery of Witches an enjoyable binge.
Palmer plays Oxford historian Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch who thinks she's ordinary until she uncovers a powerful, ancient manuscript that everyone in the supernatural world has been searching for. In comes the dashing vampire Matthew Clairmont (Goode), who is drawn to Diana's untapped magical abilities, among other things... While the age-old tale of two gorgeous mythical beings having the hots for one another isn't groundbreaking, Goode and Palmer's on-screen chemistry is stellar, which makes up for the overabundance of eye-rolling yearning emanating from Matthew's dark and mysterious eyes.In the beginning, Diana doubts her witching abilities, which are only triggered when she's under duress. Even though Matthew is just a measly old vampire, he's able to help Diana stretch her magical wings in some delightful mentor-mentee training scenes akin to something you might see in Star Wars or Harry Potter. Even without the big budgets of the aforementioned films, A Discovery of Witches does look fantastic. Globetrotting from the idyllic British countryside, with its rolling hills and eerie layers of fog, to the bustling streets of Venice, adds a sense of mystery and wonder to the show's tonality. Sure, Goode and Palmer's performances strike all of the usual vampire romance novel chords, but they're both so darn charming, that it's difficult to not get sucked into their whirlwind romance.
ADOW also does a solid job of worldbuilding. Diana and Matthew's relationship may be at the epicenter of this sprawling narrative, but the secondary characters add some much-needed dramatic weight to offset all of the romantic swooning. In this reality, the realm of supernatural creatures is governed by "The Congregation," a ruling body comprised of demons, witches, and vampires. Like any government, there is corruption, deceit, and betrayal aplenty; especially when it comes to the magical manuscript they all want to possess.
Even the political titans of this mystical world are not safe from the series' portentous dialogue, with several scenes involving two characters having a discourse in a darkly lit room while sipping wine and looking very seriously at each other - a heavy-handed expositional tool that occasionally distracts from the momentum. However, showrunner and executive producer Kate Brooke chose her cast wisely; Game of Thrones alum Owen Teale plays Peter Knox, a member of The Congregation who rarely smiles, yet effectively chews on the overwritten script like a seasoned pro. All things considered, the inner-workings of The Congregation and its ancient members is a storyline that begs for further exploration in Season 2. Brooke gives you just enough backstory on each new character she introduces to keep you wanting more.
Other notable characters include the witchy pairing of Emily Mather (Valarie Pettiford) and Sarah Bishop (Alex Kingston). The two witches are Diana's aunts and guardians, who raised her after her parents' mysterious death when she was a child. When Matthew's knowledge concerning Diana's power falters, Emily and Sarah take over the Obi-Wan and Yoda roles, helping Diana to control her powers. When Diana learns more about her magical gifts, there are some unexpected and exhilarating scenes involving water, wind, and other elemental spectacles. After just 8 episodes, it seems like we've only scratched the surface of what Diana is capable of. Thankfully, the series has already been picked up for a second season.Verdict
In the absence of True Blood and Twilight, A Discovery of Witches offers those longing for a new supernatural-romance an entertaining series to sink their teeth into. While the Deborah Harkness adaption doesn't break any new ground within the genre, compelling performances from its leading cast, along with gorgeous cinematography, elevate the familiar narrative.
