A Discovery of Witches Season 3: Our First Look at the Epic Conclusion to the All Souls Trilogy!

By: Author Carissa Pavlica

Published: October 22, 2021 · 4:33 PM EDT

· 2 Comments

Can you be incredibly excited and totally bummed at the same time?

If we're talking about A Discovery of Witches Season 3, the answer is yes.

Sundance Now, Shudder, and AMC+ released today the trailer for the third and final season of A Discovery of Witches.

Posing In the Bodleian - A Discovery of Witches Season 1 Episode 1 — (Robert Viglasky/SKY Productions/Sundance Now)

There is nothing worse than something you love so much coming to an end.

A Discovery of Witches has been one of the best book-to-screen adaptations of all time.

It's perfectly cast and remains true to the novels throughout.

If you weren't already in love with Matthew and Diana, seeing Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer bring them to life on screen sealed the deal.

Their Dance - A Discovery of Witches Season 1 Episode 4 — (AMC)

A Discovery of Witches Season 1 introduced us to the destined couple, a supernatural Romeo and Juliet who fall in love despite being different and very powerful creatures.

Matthew's father created The Congregation, an organization specifically to address inter-species activities, making the love shared between Matthew and Diana even more poetic.

A Discovery of Witches Season 2 found Matthew and Diana on the run, going back in time to find a witch worthy of teaching Diana to understand her powers so that together, she and Matthew can keep their families safe from The Congregation.

Choosing to return to 1590, Diana met Matthew's father, Philip, and was made a blood relation even before she and Matthew wed.

The Wedding - A Discovery of Witches Season 2 Episode 6 — (SundanceNow/Shudder/Sky)

Unfortunately, even that blessing couldn't stop tragedy, as Emily, Diana's Aunt Sarah's wife, was killed just before they returned.

Premiering in January 2022 on all three platforms in the U.S., the epic conclusion of the acclaimed saga finds Matthew and Diana returning from 1590 to the present day and combating what they left behind.

The books are so good, and I hope you read them. The trailer below focuses mainly on vengeance, but the third book integrates Matthew and Diana's foray into parenthood with their twins.

There is so much to look forward to, and we cannot wait to watch it all unfold!

In addition to Goode and Palmer, the series features a strong ensemble cast including Owen Teale, Malin Buska, Alex Kingston, Aiysha Hart, Edward Bluemel, Lindsay Duncan, Peter McDonald, and Trevor Eve.

Others include Gregg Chillin, Adelle Leonce, Tanya Moodie, Daniel Ezra, Toby Regbo, Steven Cree, Jacob Ifan, Ivanno Jeremiah, Greg McHugh, Olivier Huband, Paul Rhys, and Parker Sawyers.

A Discovery of Witches Season 3 is based on the 'The Book of Life' novel from Deborah Harkness's bestselling All Souls trilogy and is the third and final installment.

You can catch the entire series on Sundance Now, Shudder, and AMC+.

Lis

Sunday 8th of December 2024

There's one huge reason why A Discovery of Witches is, as you say, "one of the best book-to-screen adaptations of all time."

And to make the point, you have to compare it to the Harry Potter movies. The first few HP movies were just, meh. Because, in order to appease fans, the first movies--esp #1--tried to cram in EVERY LAST DETAIL of the books. It didn't work. The movies honestly didn't get great until, sadly, the final two, and even then, the most gut-wrenching sequence didn't involve Harry at all, but his mother and Snape.

The Discovery series, OTOH streamlines the plot, dumping the many details that would have bogged down the action and leaving only the exciting, compelling, propulsive narrative.

Which leads to the second reason why the Discovery of Witches TV series was so good -- casting. I read all the books, multiple times, and can't say they were perfect, but as a demon myself (heeee), I was drawn to the magic and history of them.

Any reader who sees a film adaptation of a book naturally has conjured a mental image of each character. Discovery of Witches excelled on that front. The casting was perfection (Gillian alone, WOW). How many book-to-movie adaptations can you say that about?

Not Harry Potter, that's for sure. With the exception of Maggie Smith (actually a bit too old, but hey, it's Maggie Smith), Alan Rickman, Richard Griffiths and Robert Pattinson, absolutely everyone was a disappointment for me. I'd read those books over and over and over. And when I saw the movies, I can't tell you the number of times I went, 'wait, is that supposed to be...'?? Only every time. Most egregious misses--Fleur Delacoeur (not beautiful enough by miles); Professor Lupin (way too healthy); Mad-Eye Moody (see previous comment. Moody was described as 'crypt keeper'-like, and out struts huge Brendan Gleason?).

The list goes on. I adore Emma Thompson. But as Sybill Trelawney? OMG no. At least, she's nothing like the book describes. I mean, nothing. It's as if they trotted out all the big names in British cinema and threw them into various roles.

So, streamlined plot and casting -- A Discovery of Witches, hands down. I'm only praying for a 4th season. Wait, did I say praying. I meant chanting!!

Thanks for all your great reviews. They're excellent!

Carissa Pavlica

Sunday 8th of December 2024

All very good points. Discovery of Witches casting was excellent in both looks and temperament. Every actor gave 100% of themselves to their roles so that they became those characters. Sometimes, it seems like actors just take a job for the paycheck. I understand that, but viewers deserve better. Other times, I have no idea why someone was cast in the first place. But wow, DOW fired on every cylinder. It was lightening in a bottle, and the real disservice is how many failed to see it when it originally aired. I doubt the Netflix effect will fire up production again. But if you can conjure it, I'll be there!! 😆

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