Vampires, Werewolves, Faeries, and now Witches, Alan Ball’s supernatural HBO drama True Blood has never ceased to fulfill our appetite for the weird and wonderful.
Season four of the hit US show introduces Fiona Shaw as Marnie Stonebrook, a medium who leads a Wicca group in Bon Temps with incredible powers. To celebrate the May 21st release of the latest thrilling season of True Blood, we’ve taken a look back at the most memorable witches from film and television. Which of these unforgettable witches is your favourite?
1. The Sanderson Sisters, Hocus Pocus
This 90s comedy was one of Sarah Jessica Parkers first roles as one of the infamous Sanderson witches.
She starred along side Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy, who played her equally evil and zealous sisters. As ominous as their characters were, they had their funny moments, too: a particular moment involving vacuum cleaners instead of brooms faired particularly well with audiences.
2. Glinda and The Wicked Witch of the West, Wizard of Oz
Who could ever forget the beautiful Glinda or the green-with-envy (literally) Wicked Witch of the West from Wizard of Oz?
Not only has the film gone down in history as one of the world’s favorites, but modern day audiences are still screaming for more from this famous duo.
The hit musical Wicked opened in 2003 and has becoming a Broadway and West End staple, even claiming the Helpmann Award for Best Musical.
3. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens sisters, Practical Magic
Long before they were Oscar winners, these two Hollywood A-listers were just a pair of witches looking for love.
Practical Magic focused around Bullock and Kidman fighting off a family curse by using, you guessed it, practical magic.
The women of the Owen family were doomed with the fate of having men they loved facing an untimely death. Will they ever overcome the obstacles to find true love? Have a Friday night in and rent the romantic tale to find out.
4. Melissa Joan Heart, Sabrina the Teenage Witch
The 7-year long TV series starred Melissa Joan Heart as the lovable Sabrina, a 16 year old high-school student who finds out she’s a witch while living with her two hilarious aunts, Hilda and Zelda Spellman.
Throw in a talking cat, Salem, and a heartthrob love interest, Harvey Kinkle, and you have a recipe for a perfect tween sitcom.
5. Hermoine Granger, Harry Potter
Harry and Ron could never have made it without this brilliant sidekick. Hermoine Granger, as played by Emma Watson, has become one of the most recognizable characters in literature and Hollywood, due to the success of J.K. Rowling’s series.
With the final film of Harry Potter, The Deathly Hallows Part 2, opening to a record breaking $483.2 million, and being the third highest grossing film of all time, it’s no wonder Ms. Granger (or should we say Mrs. Weasley) is a household name.
6. The Three Witches, Macbeth
These ominous figures of Shakespeare’s famous Macbeth are the ones who started the infamous ‘double, double, toil and trouble’ line.
Some of Hollywood’s best, including Orson Welles and Roman Polanski, have had their own spin on these fateful witches.
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, has also said that the inspiration for Voldemort’s prophecy was from the message the three witches gave to Macbeth in this Shakespearean tragedy.
7. Galadriel, Lord of the Rings
Cate Blanchett played this famous creation from JRR Tolkein’s trilogy, Lord of the Rings.
This ‘Lady of the Wood’ is a royal Elf and is able to telephathically communicate with those around her. She also provides the narration for the Oscar-winning films.
8. Samantha, Bewitched
Bewitched, one of America’s longest running sitcoms at 8 seasons, starred Elizabeth Montgomery as the lovable Samantha.
The show followed Samantha’s humorous hiccups after she decides to wed mortal Darrin Stephens, and gives living as a suburban housewife a go. The show was also inspiration for the 2005 film starring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell.
9. The Queen, Snow White
This beloved Disney fairytale is just as alive today as it was during its release in 1937.
It seems that audiences can’t seem to get enough of the dreaded poisoned apple, with ‘Mirror Mirror’ and ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ both due this year, and Julia Roberts and Charlize Theron taking on the infamous role, respectively.
10. Louisiana Witches, True Blood
It didn’t take long after Holly Clearly came out with being a witch in Season 3 for Jesus Velasquez and Lafayette Reynolds to follow.
Season 4 follows these witches as they visit local covens and become obsessed with using their powers to kill - you guessed it - vampires. Do they succeed? Well you’ll have to watch and see!
True Blood: the Complete Fourth Season is available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download from 21 May