Eh, in several minds with the latest cast updates for A Discovery of Witches.
Alex Kingston as Sarah, I can definitely get on board with that. I think it’ll be interesting to see them make her less glamorous than she usually looks on screen, because Sarah is much more down to earth. I trust her acting credentials, I’ve been a fan since long before Doctor Who, and it’ll bring that crowd in as potential viewers. It could absolutely be a smart key to boosting viewership and continued seasons.
Valarie Pettiford as Emily, definitely intrigued - I’ve not seen her in anything but she’s gorgeous and I can see her being the warm hearted Em. I’m interested to see how different it’s going to make the history of their relationship, though - not only are they having to stand through all the usual troubles for a lesbian couple in 70s and 80s USA, but now there’s a racial aspect that adds a hefty weight to things too.
Tanya Moodie as Agatha, I have no qualms. I vaguely remember her in Sherlock so I’m happy with the acting creds there. I hope she gets a bigger part in the show than she did in the book now we have perspectives other than Diana’s to watch through.
Lindsay Duncan as Ysabeau... I’m struggling. I know we shouldn’t cling so hard to the books, but the entire point of Ysabeau is that she’s this beautiful young woman - younger than her son, younger than Diana. She’s a fierce matriarch with centuries of wisdom in this impossibly young, hard, cold carving of a woman. It changes things in a way that I shouldn’t be uncomfortable with, but it’s not sitting right. I guess I’ve never really liked her characters which really doesn’t help. The only one I've liked is the part she played on Doctor Who... That said, she is an actress - and as such I have to believe that she can act this part! Plus I trust in Deborah, and for her this is a dream casting come true - and her reasoning is sound. Plus who would deny the woman who brought all this to us in the first place?
