Coastal-set detective drama with "a new twist" will be one to watch this Halloween

There's a brand-new Canadian horror mystery detective show premiering very soon, and it sounds like it's going to be a perfectly spooky Halloween watch.

YAGA is inspired by the legend of Baba Yaga, a creature from Slavic folklore which has taken on many, many forms, but usually involves a witch who lives in a forest.

Based on a 2019 play of the same name, the show boasts some impressive names and an intriguing plot. So let's dive in and find out what it's all about.

When will YAGA be available to watch in the UK?

After its premiere on Canadian service Crave this Friday (23 October), YAGA will be coming to the United Kingdom and Ireland on Halloween day, 31 October. It will be available exclusively through Sky and a NOW Entertainment subscription.

Who is in the cast of YAGA?

The main cast members of YAGA are:

• Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix, Jessica Jones, The Acolyte) as university professor Katherine.
• Noah Reid (Schitt's Creek, The Vampire Lestat, Black Hole High) as private investigator Rapp.
• Clark Backo (Venom: The Last Dance, The Changeling, I Want You Back) as detective Carson.
• Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry) as two characters, Henry and Logan.

Other cast members include Ezra Franky (Untamed), Patrick Gilmore (Stargate Universe), Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking), Megan Follows (Reign) and Katharine Isabelle (MacGyver).

What is YAGA about?

Set in a small coastal town, the plot kicks off when a private investigator arrives to investigate the disappearance of the heir to a fishery business.

His path crosses with the local detective and a professor who has a taste for younger men, and he soon discovers a world of ancient magic. The synopsis teases that this will be a "new twist" on the classic folk tale.

What have critics said about YAGA?

There are only a handful of reviews of YAGA out there at the moment, with Radio Times praising the "unique tone [that] beautifully balances the line between playful and dark, and in the best way, you never quite know where you stand" and Moss' "completely mesmerising and unpredictable" performance.

But Why Tho? stated "YAGA blends comedy, mystery, and the supernatural well, making for gripping TV", while Fangirlish dubbed the show "a witty, twisted, sexy supernatural thriller that showcases some of Canada's best talent and leaves you with a creeping sense of dread".

YAGA will release in the UK and Ireland on Sky and NOW on 31 October.

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Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy, having worked there since 2016. In his time, he's covered a host of live events and interviewed celebrities big and small. A big fan of TV and movies both mainstream and obscure, Joe also enjoys video games and in particular PlayStation. Joe currently does not use Twitter, but he only ever used it to tell people to watch the film Help! I'm a Fish.