The Witches of Salem Greenlit for Travel Channel, T+E

Travel Channel in the U.S. and Canada’s T+E have greenlit the new docudrama The Witches of Salem, produced by Blue Ant Media’s Saloon Media in association with Talos Films and the two networks.

The four-part series explores America’s infamous 17th-century witch trials in Salem Village, Massachusetts, which saw 200 women accused and 20 executed in just 220 days. The Witches of Salem will draw on historical documents and court records and feature commentary from sociologists, psychologists and cultural historians, who will illustrate how modern communities remain susceptible to the same hysteria.

Michael Kot, managing director of Saloon Media, said: “We are excited to produce this docudrama about the Salem witch trials, a story that has captivated audiences throughout time. The drama of this real-life story, combined with the docudrama format, will undoubtedly create must-watch TV.”

Talos Films Co-Presidents Elli Hakami and Julian P. Hobbs said: “We’re thrilled Travel Channel and T+E are bringing such a gripping series to their viewers. The Witches of Salem is a jaw-dropping tale from history that resonates with the present day, where stoking fear and deliberate misrepresentations still have the ability to cause hysteria and terrible repercussions.”

Jane Latman, general manager at Travel Channel, added: “The real-life story of the Salem witch trials—which involved literal ‘witch hunts’ and ‘fake news’—has never been more relevant. This is not only an important part of our past, it is a glimpse into how hysteria can completely change the way we think. This show will capture the terror, mystery, deception and the intrigue from one of the largest witch hunts in history.”