Overview

• The series traces Essex cases at Chelmsford in 1566, St Osyth in 1582, and Matthew Hopkins’ 1645 campaign in Manningtree across three episodes.
• The Witches of Essex debuts Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 9pm on Sky HISTORY and on HISTORY Play.
• Rylan Clark argues misogyny fueled accusations that targeted women over appearances, disabilities, birthmarks, or pets labeled as familiars.
• He spotlights brutal ordeals such as river dunking and links Hopkins’ methods to later persecutions reaching Salem, Massachusetts.
• Professor Alice Roberts joins Clark as the on-screen expert, drawing on court records, specialist interviews, and scripted re-enactments.