Witches of East End (TV series)

The series stars Julia Ormond as Joanna Beauchamp, a witch and mother of Freya Beauchamp (Jenna Dewan) and Ingrid Beauchamp (Rachel Boston), who are part of the next generation of witches. Mädchen Amick co-stars as Joanna's mischievous witch sister Wendy Beauchamp. The series is loosely based on the book's plot, with one change being that Freya and Ingrid are initially unaware of their magical powers.{{cite news|title='Buffy's' Tom Lenk Joins Lifetime's 'Witches of East End' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/buffy-tom-lenk-lifetime-witches-east-end-379332|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=February 2, 2013|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|date=October 16, 2012}}

{{main|List of Witches of East End characters}}

• Julia Ormond as Joanna Beauchamp
• Mädchen Amick as Wendy Beauchamp{{efn|Guest in pilot, starring from episode 2 onwards.}}
• Jenna Dewan as Freya Beauchamp
• Rachel Boston as Ingrid Beauchamp
• Daniel Di Tomasso as Killian Gardiner
• Eric Winter as Dash Gardiner
• Christian Cooke as Frederick Beauchamp (season 2){{cite web |last=Roots |first=Kimberly |url=http://tvline.com/2014/05/07/witches-of-east-end-season-2-premiere-date-lifetime/ |title='Witches of East End' Season 2 Premiere Date |publisher=TVLine |date=May 7, 2014 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117001528/https://tvline.com/2014/05/07/witches-of-east-end-season-2-premiere-date-lifetime/ |url-status=dead }}

On July 19, 2012, it was announced that Lifetime had ordered a pilot for Witches of East End for its 2013 season, and that the show would be executive-produced by both Maggie Friedman and Erwin Stoff, and produced by Fox 21.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/07/lifetime-orders-the-secret-lives-of-wives-witches-of-east-end-pilots-303952/ |title=Lifetime Orders 'The Secret Lives Of Wives', 'Witches Of East End' Pilots |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} On January 31, 2013, it was revealed that Lifetime had picked up Witches of East End with ten episodes and that it was scheduled to premiere later that year.{{cite web|last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url=https://deadline.com/2013/01/lifetimes-witches-on-east-end-picked-up-to-series-418455/ |title=Lifetime's 'Witches Of East End' Picked Up To Series |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 31, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015}}{{cite web |title=Lifetime TV pilot shoots at Hay House |url=http://www.macon.com/2012/10/30/2231997/lifetime-tv-pilot-shoots-at-hay.html |publisher=Macon.com |access-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102232443/http://www.macon.com/2012/10/30/2231997/lifetime-tv-pilot-shoots-at-hay.html |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|title=Lifetime orders 'Witches of East End'|url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/lifetime-orders-witches-of-east-end-1118065506/|publisher=Variety|access-date=February 2, 2013|first=Stuart|last=Levine|date=February 1, 2013}} The executive VP of programming for Lifetime Networks, Rob Sharenow, said "We've been thrilled about Witches of East End and its powerful premise since the moment we bought the property, and our friends at Fox 21 helped develop it for television. This is one of the most exciting ensemble casts we've seen and the whole show is fresh, original and just right for Lifetime."{{cite web|last=Baysinger |first=Tim |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/491646-Lifetime_Picks_Up_Drama_Witches_of_East_End_.php |title=Lifetime Picks Up Drama 'Witches of East End' | Broadcasting & Cable |publisher=Broadcastingcable.com |date=January 31, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015}}

On August 30, 2012, it was announced that Julia Ormond had landed a main role on the show, as Joanna Beauchamp.{{cite web|last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url=https://deadline.com/2012/08/julia-ormond-to-star-in-lifetime-pilot-witches-of-east-end-327504/ |title=Julia Ormond To Star In Lifetime Pilot 'Witches Of East End' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 30, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} On September 14, 2012, the role of Freya Beauchamp was officially given to Jenna Dewan,{{cite web |last=Roots |first=Kimberly |url=http://tvline.com/2012/09/14/jenna-dewan-witches-of-east-end/ |title=Jenna Dewan 'Witches of East End' — Lifetime Pilot Casts 'Step Up' Star |publisher=TVLine |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-date=December 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225050418/http://tvline.com/2012/09/14/jenna-dewan-witches-of-east-end/ |url-status=dead }} who publicly announced on December 17, 2012, that she and then husband Channing Tatum were expecting their first child.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699034/channing-tatum-jenna-dewan-tatum-pregnant.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217232652/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699034/channing-tatum-jenna-dewan-tatum-pregnant.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2012 |title=Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan-Tatum Expecting First Child |publisher=MTV |date=December 17, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} On September 17, 2012, the leading male role of Dash Gardiner was assigned to Patrick Heusinger.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/09/17/lifetime-taps-male-lead-for-witches-patrick-heusinger-joins-fox-21-pilot-from-scribe-maggie-friedman/ |title=Lifetime taps male lead for 'Witches': Patrick Heusinger joins Fox 21 pilot from scribe Maggie Friedman - tribunedigital-chicagotribune |publisher=Articles.chicagotribune.com |date=September 17, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} And on September 19, 2012, Rachel Boston and model Daniel Di Tomasso were announced to have earned the two remaining main roles, respectively Ingrid Beauchamp and Killian Gardiner.{{cite web|last=Roots |first=Kimberly |url=http://tvline.com/2012/09/19/rachel-boston-witches-of-east-end/ |title=Witches of East End Casts Rachel Boston — Pilot |publisher=TVLine |date=September 19, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} Finally, as announced on September 25, 2012, Nicholas Gonzalez would portray detective Matt Torcoletti.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/09/witches-of-east-end-pilot-casting-nicholas-brooke-lyons-psych-343294/ |title=Nicholas Gonzalez Nabs Series Regular Role On Lifetime's 'Witches Of East End' Pilot; Brooke Lyons To Do Arc On 'Psych' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} On October 9, 2012, two guest star announcements were made: Mädchen Amick, who then became a part of the permanent main cast, and Glenne Headly - Amick as Wendy (Joanna's sister) and a leading role and Headly as Penelope (the Gardiner brothers' mother).{{cite news|author=Lesley Goldberg |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/madchen-amick-glenne-headly-lifetime-witches-east-end-377351 |title=Madchen Amick, Glenne Headly Join Lifetime's 'Witches of East End' (Exclusive) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 9, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} Tom Lenk was later given the role of Hudson Rafferty, Ingrid's best friend, as announced on October 16, 2012.{{cite news|author=Lesley Goldberg |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/buffy-tom-lenk-lifetime-witches-east-end-379332 |title='Buffy's' Tom Lenk Joins Lifetime's 'Witches of East End' (Exclusive) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2015}}

The original casting underwent subsequent changes. As revealed by Nicholas Gonzalez himself on his Twitter account,{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} a few days after the pick-up announcement, the actor was dropped from the show, and on June 6, 2013, it was announced that Patrick Heusinger's role as Dash Gardiner would be recast, for creative reasons.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2013/06/07/witches-of-east-end-dash-recast-patrick-heusinger/|title=Exclusive: Lifetime's Witches of East End Recasting Jenna Dewan-Tatum's On-Screen Beau|author=Michael Ausiello|date=June 7, 2013|publisher=TVLine|access-date=June 9, 2013|archive-date=June 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610092945/http://tvline.com/2013/06/07/witches-of-east-end-dash-recast-patrick-heusinger/|url-status=dead}} On June 26, TVLine revealed that Eric Winter would replace Patrick Heusinger as Dash Gardiner.{{cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |url=http://tvline.com/2013/06/26/witches-of-east-end-cast-eric-winter/ |title='Witches of East End' Cast: Eric Winter Replaces Patrick Heusinger |publisher=TVLine |date=June 26, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630212046/http://tvline.com/2013/06/26/witches-of-east-end-cast-eric-winter/ |url-status=dead }} On July 9, the recurring role of the detective Adam (formerly Matt Torcoletti) was assigned to Jason George.{{cite news|author=Lesley Goldberg |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/greys-anatomy-star-heads-witches-582363 |title='Grey's Anatomy' Favorite Heads to 'Witches of East End' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 9, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} On July 12, Virginia Madsen replaced Glenne Headly for a multi-episode arc as Penelope, Dash and Killian's mother.{{cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |url=http://tvline.com/2013/07/12/witches-of-east-end-cast-virginia-madsen/ |title='Witches of East End' Season 1: Virginia Madsen Joins Cast |publisher=TVLine |date=July 12, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-date=August 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820232649/http://tvline.com/2013/07/12/witches-of-east-end-cast-virginia-madsen/ |url-status=dead }} On August 12, Freddie Prinze, Jr. booked a guest role on the show, as Leo Wingate, with a possibility that it could become recurring.{{cite web|last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/08/12/witches-of-east-end-conjures-up-guest-spot-for-freddie-prinze-jr-exclusive/ |title='Witches of East End': Freddie Prinze Jr. to guest star as... | EW.com |publisher=Insidetv.ew.com |date=August 12, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} On August 14, Anthony Lemke was cast as recurring Harrison Welles.{{cite web |url=http://thetelevixen.com/2013/08/anthony-lemke-witches-of-east-end |title=Anthony Lemke Joins Lifetime's Witches of East End |publisher=The Televixen |date=August 14, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105221344/http://thetelevixen.com/2013/08/anthony-lemke-witches-of-east-end/ |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

Filming the pilot episode began on October 16, 2012, in the port town of Wilmington, North Carolina, where several scenes were shot. On October 29, 2012, the crew moved for a week to Macon, Georgia, where they filmed the wedding scenes for the pilot at the historical Hay House.

When the network Lifetime announced Witches of East End was going to be a series, it was also revealed that filming for the rest of the series would happen in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, instead of continuing to be filmed in Wilmington.{{cite web|url=http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20130201/ARTICLES/130209977?p=1&tc=pg |title="Witches of East End" goes to series, but production moves to Vancouver |publisher=StarNewsOnline.com |access-date=August 2, 2015}} Maggie Friedman announced on Twitter on June 10 that she was scouting locations for the series, trying to "find Fair Haven".[https://twitter.com/MaggieFriedman/status/344127171436109824Status]{{dead link|date=August 2015}}

{{Main|List of Witches of East End episodes{{!}}List of Witches of East End episodes}}

{{:List of Witches of East End episodes}}

Critical reaction to Witches of East End has been mixed, with a score of 50 on Metacritic{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/witches-of-east-end |title=Witches of East End - Season 1 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=August 2, 2015}} and 70% for the first season on Rotten Tomatoes{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/witches-of-east-end/ |title=Witches of East End: Season 2 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=August 2, 2015}} with a consensus saying "Although it's ridiculously soapy, Witches of East End is often campy fun; it's a supernatural spectacle that's entertaining despite its silliness."

Lori Rackl of Chicago Sun-Times{{cite news |url=http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/television/22814633-421/loris-list-super-fun-night-ironside-go-nowhere.html |title=Chicago | Chicago : News : Politics : Things To Do : Sports |publisher=Suntimes.com |date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-date=December 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215052457/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/television/22814633-421/loris-list-super-fun-night-ironside-go-nowhere.html |url-status=dead }} described the show as a "soapy, silly adaptation of Melissa de la Cruz's best-seller." Matthew Gilbert of Boston Globe{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/2013/10/03/witches-bland-stew/l2wncyTbRwmckhQemCCZlN/story.html |title='Witches' a bland stew - Television |publisher=Boston.com |date=October 3, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} reviewed the show saying "[It] will remain a missable new supernatural series populated by wooden actors and feeble plotlines." Matt Roush of TV Guide{{cite web|last=Roush |first=Matt |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Weekend-Playlist-Simpsons-1071689.aspx |title=The Weekend Playlist: Simpsons' Halloween Tradition, PBS's Paradise, More Witches - Today's News: Our Take |publisher=TVGuide.com |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} summed up his review saying "Whatever the opposite of spellbinding is, that's this show." Diane Werts of Newsday gave the show a more positive review, saying "What's utterly clear is that the starter hour picks up steam whenever loose-cannon Amick bops around -- although Ormond does a nice job of grounding its shenanigans in a semblance of reality." She finishes her review giving the pilot a B rating.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/witches-of-east-end-review-shifting-tone-1.6185240 |title='Witches of East End' review: Shifting tone |publisher=Newsday |date=October 3, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-date=October 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007042710/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/witches-of-east-end-review-shifting-tone-1.6185240 |url-status=dead }} Allison Keene from The Hollywood Reporter also praised the premiere, claiming "Witches of East End is up against a number of other supernatural shows, and there becomes a question of saturation. Fortunately or unfortunately, we aren't at that point, yet. It seems there's plenty more room at the table, and there, Witches of East End currently looks like the most fun."{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/witches-east-end-tv-review-641739 |title=Witches of East End: TV Review |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |first=Allison |last=Keene}} Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times also gave the show a glowing review, starting off by negatively reviewing the "humorless" witches on shows such as the 2013 debuts of Sleepy Hollow and The Originals, then going on to say Witches of East End is a welcome relief to those series. He further applauds the casting and characters, saying "thanks to zippy repartee among the stars. Ms. Amick is hilarious, and Ms. Dewan Tatum and Ms. Boston make a pretty amusing pair of mismatched sisters." He ends the review with "there is a lot of heavy fare on television on Sunday nights. If Witches can retain its wry tone, it will be a satisfying alternative for viewers looking for a lighter way to end the weekend."{{cite news|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2013/10/05/arts/television/witches-of-east-end-sweep-in-on-lifetime.html?_r=0|title=Daughters Inheriting the Practice : 'Witches of East End' Sweep in on Lifetime|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 2, 2015|first=Neil|last=Genzlinger|date=October 4, 2013}} Lily Moayeri of Under the Radar{{cite web|last=Moayeri |first=Lily |url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/witches_of_east_end/ |title=Witches of East End (Lifetime, Sundays 10/9 Central) Review | Under the Radar - Music Magazine |publisher=Undertheradarmag.com |access-date=August 2, 2015}} compared the show with Charmed saying "Witch-themed shows work better when both the witches and the target audience are teenagers. The grown-up witches on Witches of East End are just a little too ridiculous — even more so than the witch sister trio of Charmed."

Witches of East End premiered on a Sunday night to 1.93 million viewers and a 0.7 18-49 rating.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/08/sunday-cable-ratings-keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-thursday-night-football-special-edition-tie-for-lead-real-housewives-of-new-jersey-more/207459/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011000042/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/08/sunday-cable-ratings-keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-thursday-night-football-special-edition-tie-for-lead-real-housewives-of-new-jersey-more/207459/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |title=Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' & 'Thursday Night Football: Special Edition' Tie for Lead + 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' & More - Ratings |publisher=Zap2it |date=October 8, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2015}} The premiere rated on par to the June 23 premiere of Lifetime's other new show Devious Maids; however, Witches of East End ended the night being the number two scripted drama on cable, behind Boardwalk Empire on HBO.

The following week, Witches of East End pulled a total of 1.93 million viewers and rose to a 0.8 18-49 rating, despite the return of The Walking Dead and its talk show Talking Dead breaking records on AMC.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/15/sunday-cable-ratings-the-walking-dead-wins-night-talking-dead-witches-of-east-end-homeland-boardwalk-empire-more/208975/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018021507/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/15/sunday-cable-ratings-the-walking-dead-wins-night-talking-dead-witches-of-east-end-homeland-boardwalk-empire-more/208975/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 18, 2013 |title=Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Witches of East End', 'Homeland, 'Boardwalk Empire' & More - Ratings |publisher=Zap2it |access-date=August 2, 2015}} The show remained the second highest-rated cable drama of the night again, behind The Walking Dead.

Witches of East End premiered in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2013, on the second night of the newly formed UK channel, Lifetime UK.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2013/10/lifetime-uk-sets-premiere-date-for-witches-of-east-end/ |title=Lifetime UK Sets Premiere Date For 'Witches Of East End' |publisher=TVWise |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122031750/https://www.tvwise.co.uk/2013/10/lifetime-uk-sets-premiere-date-for-witches-of-east-end/ |url-status=dead }} The second season premiered on August 25, 2014. In Australia, Witches of East End premiered on Eleven on August 4, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/07/update-witches-of-east-end.html|title=Update: Witches of East End|last=Knox|first=David|publisher=TV Tonight|date=July 22, 2014|access-date=July 22, 2014}}

On November 4, 2014, it was announced that Lifetime had cancelled Witches of East End after a decline in ratings during the second season. The first season averaged 1.67 million viewers, but dropped in its second season to 1.13 million. After its cancellation, fans launched an online petition campaign to save the show called "Renew Witches of East End".{{cite web|url=http://www.spoilertv.com/2014/11/witches-of-east-end-ultimate.html|title=Witches of East End – The Ultimate #RenewWitchesofEastEnd Guide|last=Hetherington|first=Gavin|date=November 20, 2014|publisher=SpoilerTV.com|access-date=November 21, 2014}} The petition became popular on Twitter, where fans were told to use the hashtag #RenewWitchesofEastEnd and tweet it to Lifetime's Twitter account. Fans have also campaigned the online streaming service Netflix to pick up the show.{{cite web|title=The latest on 'Witches of East End' renewal efforts; Witches cast and producers remain optimistic|url=http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/the-latest-on-witches-of-east-end-renewal-efforts-witches-cast-and-producers-remain-optimistic-28429|last=Ang|first=Alvin|date=February 26, 2015|work=Ecumenical News|access-date=March 6, 2015}} The campaign received support from celebrities on Twitter who backed the show to be renewed, including Channing Tatum, William Shatner and Snooki as well as stars from television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer{{'}}s Sarah Michelle Gellar and Charmed{{'}}s Shannen Doherty and Holly Marie Combs. As of February 2024 and after 9 years since the finale, the petition has received more than 280,000 signatures.{{cite web|url=http://www.enstarz.com/articles/100389/20150801/witches-of-east-end-season-3-news-petition-gains-a-good-haul-of-more-signatures-but-is-it-too-late-for-a-renewal-video.htm|title='Witches Of East End' Season 3 News: Petition Gains A Good Haul Of More Signatures, But Is It Too Late For A Renewal?|last=Machado|first=Sam|publisher=Enstarz.com|date=August 1, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2015}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{IMDb title|2288064|Witches of East End}}

{{Lifetime Shows}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Witches Of East End (TV Series)}}

Category:Witches of East End

Category:2010s American comedy-drama television series

Category:2013 American television series debuts

Category:2014 American television series endings

Category:2010s American supernatural television series

Category:2010s American horror television series

Category:American English-language television shows

Category:Lifetime (TV channel) television dramas

Category:Television series by 20th Century Fox Television

Category:Television series by 3 Arts Entertainment

Category:Television shows filmed in Vancouver

Category:Television shows filmed in North Carolina

Category:Television shows filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina

Category:Television shows set in New York (state)

Category:Television shows based on American novels

Category:Television shows about magic

Category:Television series about witchcraft

Category:American fantasy drama television series