Yaga: Crave's Witchy New Show Brings Canadian Talent to the Small Screen
Canadian audiences are in for a treat this fall with the premiere of Yaga, a new eight-episode half-hour drama on Crave. The show boasts an impressive cast of Canadian talent, including Hudson Williams, Carrie-Anne Moss, Noah Reid, Clark Backo, and Megan Follows. The series promises a sexy mystery set in the fictional town of Whittock, where one wealthy family is in control, but witches aren't afraid to exert their power.
The show's creator, Kat Sandler, wrote and directed the original play that premiered at Toronto's Tarragon Theatre. The play was part folklore and part whodunit, featuring three actors playing multiple parts on a largely bare stage. Sandler has now adapted the story for the small screen, bringing her vision to life with a talented cast.
The show's cast is a who's who of Canadian talent, with many of the actors expressing their excitement to be a part of the project. Noah Reid, who plays private detective Charlie Rapp, joked that his character is in his "dark era" and that he's enjoying the change of pace from his lovable character in Schitt's Creek. Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays a mysterious character, revealed that she was drawn to the project after re-reading the book Women Who Run With the Wolves, which features the character of Baba Yaga.
The story of Yaga is about powerful women in front of and behind the camera. Clark Backo, who plays Sergeant Carson, a local police officer, said that being surrounded by powerful women is her everyday life, and she's excited to reflect that on TV. Sandler praised the cast for their collaborative and generous nature, saying that they were all excited and understood her vision.
The show's premiere is set for this Friday, with subsequent episodes released weekly until the two-episode season finale. With its talented cast and intriguing storyline, Yaga is sure to be a hit with audiences.
