11.8 The Witchfinders

Broadcast Details

Series / Episode No.
Episode Title
Transmission Date
Duration
Ratings (Millions)
Season
Doctor
Producer(s)
Script Editor
Written By
Directed By
11
Thirteen / Jodie Whittaker
Alex Mercer
Fiona McAllister
Joy Wilkinson
Sallie Aprahamian

Regular Cast

The Doctor — Thirteen / Jodie Whittaker
Ryan Sinclair — Tosin Cole
Yasmin Khan — Mandip Gill
Graham O'Brien — Bradley Walsh

Guest Cast

King James – Alan Cumming
Becka Savage – Siobhan Finneran
Willa Twiston – Tilly Steele
Old Mother Twiston – Tricia Kelly
Smithy – Arthur Kay
Alfonso – Stavros Demetraki
Mud Witch – Marina Stoimenova

Production Team

General production staff

Head of Production – Radford Neville
Executive Producer for the BBC – Ben Irving
Production Executive – Tracie Simpson
Line Producer – Steffan Morris
Production Manager – James DeHaviland
Supervising Location Manager – Iwan Roberts
Location Manager – Lyn Moses
Unit Manager – Jac Jones
Production Co-ordinator – Sandra Cosfeld
Assistant Production Co-ordinator – Jessica Elise Evans
Production Assistant – Alexandra Bahiyyih Wain
Production Secretary – Jade Stephenson
Executive Assistant – Caroline Cook
Unit Drivers – Sean Evans, Paul Watkins, Jolyon Davey
Unit Medic – Glyn Evans
Business Affairs – Carol Griggs, Steve Robson
Production Accountant – Laurence Parker
Assistant Accountants – Helen Searle, Kate Barber-Williams

Camera and lighting department

1st Assistant Director – Seth Adams
2nd Assistant Director – Delmi Thomas
3rd Assistant Director – Christopher J Thomas
Assistant Directors – Lauren Pate, Sion Eirug
Script Supervisor – Nicki Coles
Camera Operator – Mark McQuoid ACO
Focus Pullers – Jonathan Vidgen, Elhein De Wet
Grip – John Robinson
Assistant Grip – Ash Whitfield
Camera Assistants – Gethin Williams, Drew Marsden, Cai Stephens
Gaffer – Mark Hutchings
Best Boy – Andy Gardiner
Electricians – Bob Milton, Gawain Nash, Andrew Williams, Gareth Sheldon

Art department

Supervising Art Director – Dafydd Shurmer
Assistant Art Director – Lissa Lamono
Art Department Co-ordinator – Isabelle Kennedy
Art Department Accountant – Karen Evans
Production Buyer – Vicki Male
Petty Cash Buyer – Kayleigh Powell
Trainee Buyer – Georgia Reece
Set Decorator – Joelle Rumbelow
Set Designers – Julia Jones, Zsofia Ekler
Storyboard Artist – Michael Collins
Concept Artist – Darren Fereday
Graphic Designer – Richard Wells
Standby Props – Matthew Ireland, Cerys Lewis
Standby Carpenter – Paul Jones
Prop Hands – Atiff Tahir, Scott Howe, Richard Barker
Standby Art Director – Harry Trow
Rigging – Shadow Scaffolding
Standby Rigger – Colin Toms
HOD Painter – Steve Fudge
Chargehand Painters – Mark Reece, Lloyd Reece
Storeman – Charlie Malik
Prop Master – Nick Thomas
Props Chargehand – Stuart Rankmore
Prop Fabrication – Penny Howarth
Specialist Prop Maker – Nick Robatto
Construction Manager – Mark Painter
Workshop Manager – Mark Hill
Workshop Assistant – Chris Slocombe
Construction Chargehands – Dean Tucker, John Sinnott
Construction Drivers – Darren Bousie, Jason Tylke
Practical Electrician – Matthew Dunford
Scenic Artists – Jeremy Duckham, Gemma Dorie
Carpenters – Terry Horle, Joseph Painter, Mat Ferry, Tim Burke, Campbell Fraser, Chris Daniels, George Rees, Jonathan Tylke

Costume department

Assistant Costume Designers – Emma Burnand, Simon Marks
Costume Assistants – Ian Fowler, Andie Mear, Jenny Tindle, Holly Williams
Make-up and prosthetics
Make-up Supervisor – Emma Cowen
Make-up Artists – Allison Sing, Amy Riley, Charlotte Giles
Junior Make-up Artists – Angharad Walsh, Hanna Lewis-Jones

Movement

Stunt Co-ordinators – Crispin Layfield, Dani Biernat
Stunt Performers – Belinda McGinley, Andrew Burford, Claire Hayhurst

Casting

Casting Associate – Ri McDaid-Wren
Casting Assistant – Louis Constantine

General post-production staff

Post-production Supervisor – Ceres Doyle
Post-production Co-ordinator – Claire Rees
Assistant Editors – David S.J. Davies, Hayley Williams
On-line Editors – Christine Kelly, Geraint Pari Huws

Special and visual effects

VFX Editor – Martyn Western
Special Creature Effects & Prosthetics – Millennium FX
Colourist – Gareth Spensley
Head Modelmaker – Lee Radford

Sound

Sound Recordist – Deian Ll┼╖r Humphreys
Dubbing Mixer – Howard Bargroff
Sound Maintenance Engineers – Tam Shoring, Christopher Goding
Dialogue Editor – Darran Clement
ADR Editor – Matthew Cox
SFX Editor – Harry Barnes
Foley – Bang Post Production

Synopsis

The Doctor arrives in 17th century England during witch trials and is mistaken for a witch. King James I becomes involved as paranoia spreads. The true threat is revealed to be alien Morax warriors using human fear to regain power. The Doctor restores balance, exposing superstition-driven injustice and saving the accused villagers from execution.

Merchandise Releases

Multimedia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the setting of The Witchfinders?

The Doctor and her companions travel to 17th century England during a period of witch trials.

Who is King James I in the episode?

James VI and I appears as a character leading the witch hunts with paranoia and authority.

What is the true cause of the witch accusations?

An alien species known as the Morax is influencing events, emerging from beneath the land and causing fear and chaos.

How does the Doctor deal with the accusations?

The Doctor challenges the hysteria and works to reveal the real threat behind the accusations.

What themes are explored in The Witchfinders?

The episode explores fear, superstition, sexism, and the misuse of power.