Please enjoy this super-sized sneak peek of Episode 204 of Shining Vale, which is available to stream on STARZ, tomorrow, 11/3/23!

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the Season Five Premiere of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’. To revisit the Season Four Finale, click here.
​
One would think that after five years of educating fans regarding the wonder of horror, the Boulet Brothers would run out of topics to explore and showcase for their loyal fans. After all, there’s been forty episodes of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, and ten of Titans, and one epic movie, and Drac and Swan have truly left no stone or skull unturned regarding the genre. They celebrate it all, and teach us in the process and yes, in the hands of anyone else, that might be enough. But the fact of the matter is, Drac and Swan, are genuine horror experts, who are students of the genre and every single corner it represents and never was that more evident during the season five premiere of Dragula, which debuted on Shudder last night.
​
For a new cycle of this wildly and rightfully popular drag competition show/horror education hour, brought forth another incredible examination of the genre and the various monsters and subgenres that populate horror. For ‘Terror in the Woods’ took the time to move the audience and the new monsters into the forest worlds of horror. Where Jason Voorhees loves to roam, alongside fabled beings of yore and even serial killers such as Angela Baker from Sleepaway Camp. And well, this was a brilliant way to kick off season five. Since it allowed for the competitors to get a taste of things to come by being forced to trudge through the woods in drag outfits to a safe space where they were informed of the details regarding this episode’s theme.

Wherein the group had to tap into the primal fears that outdoorsy and woodsy horror films provide us with, all while showcasing their talents as drag artists and well, that type of set up meant we were in for a learning experience, and so were the monsters and the first thing we learned… was that this group is the show’s most unique to date. Mainly because they come from a very diverse background in the world of drag, and their skill sets are simply amazing. Which meant that the tea that is usually served early in the competition wasn’t present here. Sure, there was sass, and ribbing upon one another and that confidence we love from the monsters… but they were ready to work first, and really impress through and through and well, that brought about some fascinating costumes for certain. The kind that mostly met the challenge when all is said and done. 

For we were treated to horrible marshmallow nightmares courtesy of Blackberri, creepy crawlies by way of Orkgotic, and individuals and monsters that absolutely made us think of what scares us in the woods when we’re camping or spending time with friends in nature, and to really educate us on the importance of how those fears are/were expressed through drag and the films that inspired the costumes, Drac and Swan brought in some heavy hitting judges. For Mike Flanagan, the master of deep psychological horror was on the stage, as was Angela Baker herself. For Felissa Rose stopped by to speak upon the matter since it is near and dear to her heart, and the hearts that Angela literally stole out of people’s chests, and that brought about… an amazing education and an amazing floor show.

One that saw the judges hit the ground running with their patented honesty and hard truth so that everyone understood the standard and what was to come, and well… that’s all we will say on the finale of this episode. Because this year, we don’t want to discuss who won the day or who went home, we want you to experience the gravity of those moments. So, we will close this recap out, with praise. Because it was just great to have this show back on the air and meet a fresh set of brilliant competitors that are going to interpret the best parts of horror in a unique and dynamic manner. One that will allow for us to learn lessons untold from two genuine horror experts and icons, as every contestant puts their best nightmare forward to be crowned as The World’s Next Drag Supermonster. Until next time.

This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
​
It really is quite amazing how much of a renaissance the witch is enjoying in popular culture right now. Because for a long, long time, the witch has been nothing more than an afterthought. To the point where there were little to no stories involving them on the silver or small screen, but that is quickly beginning to change. For Sundance Now reminded us of their majesty and their mystery through the brilliant series, A Discovery of Witches, and of course, Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, continues to intrigue a new generation of viewers about witches. So, it should come as no surprise, that another witch story is on the horizon.

For recently, Sundance Now and  AMC+ let it be known that Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale will make its debut in 2024, and it will of course, feature another engaging story about witches with a fascinating twist, and well… you simply cannot go wrong with another witch story coming to the airwaves from a pair of networks that have nurtured these stories and helped them find success once again. And well… to properly celebrate this new Season of the Witch, here are all the details on this new series, including its release date and some first-look photos for you to enjoy as you prepare to enter the world of Sanctuary when the New Year rolls around.

‘Sundance Now and AMC+ today released the premiere date and first-look images for the seven-part drama series, Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale, written and created by Debbie Horsfield, and adapted from the novel by V.V. James. The Sundance Now original series debuts with a two-episode premiere on Thursday, January 4, exclusively on Sundance Now and AMC+, with new episodes airing weekly. The series will be available on applicable platforms in the USA and Canada.
 
Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale is set in a contemporary world where witchcraft is real. It takes place in the idyllic English town of Sanctuary, where for hundreds of years witches have lived peacefully, as valued members of society. Until now…
 
At the heart of the story is Sarah Fenn (Elaine Cassidy), Sanctuary’s resident witch, on whom the town relies to solve their problems when conventional remedies have failed. When local teen rugby star, Dan Whithall, dies tragically in an apparent accident, his death exposes a terrifying undercurrent of suspicion and fear towards Sarah and her teenage daughter, Harper (Hazel Doupe). Mother of the dead boy, Abigail (Amy de Bhrun), once Sarah’s closest friend, is wracked with grief, and to avenge her son’s death, launches a modern-day witch-hunt to get “justice”, no matter what the cost.
 
Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale stars Cassidy, Doupe, and de Bhrun, along with Stephanie Levi-John, Valerie O’Connor, Kelly Campbell and Stephen Lord. The series is executive produced by Monumental Television (Mrs Sidhu Investigates, Harlots) and is directed by Lisa Mulcahy and Justin Molotnikov.
 
About AMC+ 
AMC+ is the company’s premium streaming bundle featuring an extensive lineup of popular and critically acclaimed original programming from AMC, BBC America, IFC, and SundanceTV and full access to targeted streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited, which feature content such as A Discovery of Witches, Creepshow, and Boyhood. The service features a continually refreshed library of commercial-free content, with iconic series from the AMC Networks portfolio including Mad Men, Halt & Catch Fire, Hell on Wheels, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Rectify, Portlandia, Orphan Black and series from The Walking Dead Universe, among many others. The service also offers a growing slate of original and exclusive series including Gangs of London, Dark Winds, and the first two series in a new Anne Rice universe, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches. With new movies released every Friday, AMC+ is the newest destination for exclusive film premieres direct from theaters all year long. AMC+ is available in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain and is available in the U.S. through AMCPlus.com, the AMC+ app, and a number of digital and cable partners. 
 
About Sundance Now 
AMC Networks’ Sundance Now offers cross-genre escapism for insightful viewers seeking fresh perspectives, thought-provoking experiences and transportive journeys to far-off places. With a rich selection of engrossing dramas and romance, imaginative fantasy, gripping mysteries, to riveting true crime and intelligent thrillers, Sundance Now programming features empowered characters telling one-of-a-kind of stories from around the world – all streaming commercial-free. Sundance Now houses critically-acclaimed and award-winning original and streaming exclusive series including popular supernatural thriller A Discovery of Witches (Matthew Goode, Teresa Palmer), multi-Emmy winner State of the Union (Rosamund Pike, Chris O’Dowd; Patricia Clarkson, Brendan Gleeson), recent breakout dark comedies SisterS (Sarah Goldberg, Susan Stanley) and Totally, Completely Fine (Thomasin McKenzie), glamourous coastal drama Riviera (Julia Stiles), British true crime thriller Des (David Tennant), French spy drama The Bureau, Australian psychological thriller The Secrets She Keeps (Laura Carmichael), acclaimed Swedish drama The Restaurant, Motherland (Anna Maxwell Martin, Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley), and Total Control (Rachel Griffiths, Deborah Mailman), to name a few; alongside riveting true crime series including Dating Death, The Heiress and the Heist and the True Crime Story franchise. Sundance Now can be enjoyed for $6.99/month or $4.99/month with an annual membership. No cable subscription is needed.
Facebook: @SundanceNow – Twitter: @sundance_now’