A Discovery of Witches Season 3 Was a Disappointing Change From the Books

A Discovery of Witches Season 3 Was a Disappointing Change From the Books

As a long-time fan of A Discovery of Witches who has followed this enchanting series since its inception, I must confess that the third season left me feeling rather bewitched and bewildered – not in a good way, mind you!


Due to Netflix incorporating several TV series from AMC’s collection onto their service, certain productions have been revitalized and afforded the opportunity to attract a fresh audience. Particularly acclaimed is the show A Discovery of Witches, lauded for its supernatural elements, examination of societal anxieties, and timeless narrative of good versus evil.

Even though longtime followers of the show understand the impending outcome, newcomers who start watching from the third season might be left feeling let down.

How Season 3 of A Discovery of Witches Failed the Fandom

A Discovery of Witches Season 3 Was a Disappointing Change From the BooksA Discovery of Witches Season 3 Was a Disappointing Change From the BooksA Discovery of Witches Season 3 Was a Disappointing Change From the Books

Let’s be clear: A Discovery of Witches remains an excellent choice for television viewing, so if you’re currently engrossed in the early seasons, I highly recommend sticking with it until the final episode. We’ve all experienced the letdown when a beloved series wraps up, like what happened with Game of Thrones. However, A Discovery of Witches delivers enough excitement and drama to make completing the entire show worthwhile, despite any potential minor shortcomings.

As a dedicated cinephile diving into this series for the first time, let me share a concern that long-time fans have expressed. The third season, unlike its predecessors, consists of merely seven episodes. This is a stark contrast to the eight episodes in the first season and ten in the second. The brevity of the third season seems to be at the root of many complaints, such as the underdevelopment of one significant romance (to avoid spoilers for the uninitiated) and hurried character development for both returning and new cast members.

The tempo of the episodes didn’t quite match previous seasons, causing the narrative to feel heavy with explanations. Fans who have read the original novels had additional complaints about the way the third season was adapted, as it overlooked significant details and misrepresented certain characters. If you’re a fan of the TV series, I’d recommend checking out the books for a more satisfying portrayal of how the third season could have unfolded.

Why A Discovery of Witches Had a Rough Season 3

A Discovery of Witches Season 3 Was a Disappointing Change From the BooksA Discovery of Witches Season 3 Was a Disappointing Change From the BooksA Discovery of Witches Season 3 Was a Disappointing Change From the Books

The cast and crew expressed satisfaction with the series finale they produced, acknowledging the team’s resilience during challenging times, specifically referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming came to a temporary halt on October 8, 2020, following a positive test result for a crew member. This incident necessitated isolation and additional testing. Although it wasn’t a significant setback, it caused scheduling issues with Trystan Gravelle, the actor portraying Baldwin Montclair. Unfortunately, these complications prevented him from continuing in his role, leading to Peter McDonald taking over.

“Due to COVID-19, we faced numerous obstacles this season. As anticipated, things felt distinctly different, and they indeed did. It was a mix of emotions, somewhat bitter due to the lack of our usual team bonding and the stringent safety measures, but I found myself appreciating the way the season unfolded. I believe it covered all the necessary aspects.” – Teresa Palmer (Diana Bishop) via Collider

Despite the cast and team managing to pull off the third season, it’s hard not to think that the challenges posed by the pandemic didn’t impact the final product in some way. Nevertheless, A Discovery of Witches remains an outstanding series. The third season was satisfactory, if not up to its usual standard, but it was better than no resolution at all. Currently, you can stream A Discovery of Witches on Netflix and AMC+.

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2024-09-01 00:31