In our first episode of 2020, we dive in our  first TV show AND a Very Important One at that: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The beloved cult TV series, created by Joss Whedon, ran for seven seasons from 1997 til its finale in 2003. The series’ protagonist is the titular Buffy, a teenage girl trying to make sense of high school whilst also grappling with being the Slayer, the latest in a long line of young women chosen by fate to battle against vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness. 

We’re going to be specifically focusing on how witchcraft is presented throughout the whole series, paying special attention to the evolution of the show’s main witch, Willow Rosenberg (played by Alyson Hannigan), who over the course of seven seasons transforms from a shy, studious girl into the most powerful witch in the Buffyverse. 

Anna is joined by podcaster and Buffy connoisseur Becky Darke to discuss magic crack dens, magic as a metaphor for female sexuality, the balance of power, and the very few warlocks presented throughout the show. 

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To coincide with our season of films and events, Here Be Witches, we will be focusing this first series on exploring all things witchcraft on film. Each episode, we will dive deep into films and TV shows that we can’t necessarily screen. Each episode, we’ll be joined with special guests to dissect and discuss a film or show, its legacy and the way witches are represented.

Find out more about our projects here: thefinalgirls.co.uk

Explore the Here Be Witches programme here

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Follow Anna on @annabdemented and Olivia is on @livihowe 

Our special guest this episode is Becky Darke, follow her work on @bunnydarke and listen to her podcast Don't Point That Horror At Me