‘Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale’ Brings Modern Witchcraft To Crime Drama

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale is set to reach physical media later this month, with Acorn Media International confirming a DVD release for the six-part crime drama on 19 January 2026. The series, which debuted on Netflix late last year, will also be available to buy and keep digitally from 26 December 2025.

Starring Elaine Cassidy, the contemporary drama adapts the Sunday Times bestselling novel Sanctuary by V V James and unfolds in a small English town where witches are permitted to live openly under the law. Cassidy plays Sarah Fenn, a practising witch whose quiet life is thrown into turmoil following the sudden death of local teenage rugby player Dan Whithall. What initially appears to be a tragic accident quickly develops into something more volatile as suspicion spreads through the community.

As the police investigation gathers pace, old resentments and buried fears resurface. Despite the town’s outward tolerance, Sarah becomes the focus of whispered accusations, with grief and anger redirecting attention towards those who live differently. The situation escalates further when Abigail Whithall, Dan’s mother and once Sarah’s closest friend, begins to publicly question Sarah’s role in the events surrounding her son’s death.

The series places Sarah and her teenage daughter Harper at the centre of an increasingly hostile environment, with rumours and prejudice shaping both the investigation and the behaviour of those around them. Running alongside the mystery is the procedural presence of DCI Maggie Knight, whose attempts to uncover the truth are complicated by community pressure and deeply ingrained bias.

The supporting cast includes Hazel Doupe as Harper Fenn, Amy De Bhrún as Abigail Whithall and Stephanie Levi-John as Maggie Knight, with the drama placing particular emphasis on the relationships between its female characters as events spiral. Filmed as a self-contained first season, the story balances its crime framework with supernatural elements drawn from its source material, though the focus remains firmly on how fear and suspicion can fracture even close-knit communities.

The DVD release includes all six episodes across two discs, with a total running time of 420 minutes, and carries a 15 certificate. With a second season already in development, the physical release arrives as interest in the series continues following its Netflix run.

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale trailer