Sarah Lancashire confirmed for "compelling" new Netflix drama from The Split boss

Fresh from a new announcement for the second season of Black Doves, Sarah Lancashire has landed another project at Netflix. This time around, she'll be collaborating with Abi Morgan, the creator of The Split, for a brand-new series.

The pair will work together on Witch Hunt, a Cambridge-set series which takes place in the aftermath of a devastating crime. The action follows August Howell, who is imprisoned for over three decades after drowning her three daughters.

She returns to a community which doesn't want her back, but concern grows when another witch hunt takes place. The police turn to Professor Wren Howell, August's last surviving daughter, to help find the killer as "past resentments and local folklore collide".

Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV

Speaking about the exciting project in a statement, Lancashire, who plays August, said: "I'm thrilled to be working with Abi Morgan, Jane Featherstone, Sister Pictures and Netflix on Witch Hunt."

"It's a brilliantly imagined and utterly compelling story, with a deeply complex character at its heart. There's so much to explore in August, and I can't wait to begin," added the star, who has also appeared in Happy Valley and Julia.

Morgan said: "I am delighted to be bringing Witch Hunt to Netflix. A dark, yet emotionally charged love story between August Howell, newly released from prison for murdering her children, and the daughter she left behind after 30 years inside.

"I last worked with Sarah Lancashire over 25 years ago [on My Fragile Heart]. I have been chasing the perfect role for her ever since. This is it. I can't think of anyone better to embody the terrifying tenderness of 'the Witch of Cambridge'."

"It's gothic horror meets dark thriller laced with modern day witchcraft, raising the question - can August ever be forgiven for her crime?" teased the writer and creator, who has also worked on The Split Up.

Related: Black Mirror boss' new Netflix series confirms exciting cast with MobLand and The Diplomat stars

"What I've always loved about Abi's writing is the humanity she brings to even the darkest stories," added executive producer Jane Featherstone, who called it a "fascinating contemporary thriller".

"I've been lucky enough to work with Sarah Lancashire over the past few years, and she still surprises me every time. She is extraordinary, and I'm thrilled she'll be playing August," she added.

Witch Hunt will stream on Netflix.

Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.

The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton's life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.

Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.