BBC thriller branded 'so bad it's good' leaves Netflix viewers hooked

BBC viewers are in for a treat this month after another series of occult novels from the award-winning author Anne Rice dropped on BBC iPlayer. The trilogy Mayfair Witches has been adapted into two eight-part series of TV, starring The White Lotus' Alexandra Daddarrio, and now TV bosses have added a second series to the streaming service.

Daddario plays the preternaturally gifted surgeon Rowan Fielding, and adoptee arching to connect with her birth family, who learns she can hurt people with the power of her mind. But things take an unexpected turn during Rowan's mission to learn more about herself. On this mission, she learns she is an heir to a lineage of numerous powerful women.

But there's a dark legacy attached to her family tree, as she comes to discover in a saga of sex, death, and magic through the years. Rowan is later accompanied by Lasher, a shapeshifter who has been bound to the family for generations and is played by Jack Huston.

In her quest for answers, Rowan is warned: "Things don't end well for the women in this family". It's at this point that viewers start to get a sense of why, with a sprinkling of flashbacks from the present New Orleans setting back to a 17th-century Scottish village.

There, we see a past iteration of Mayfairs battle with being associated with women with witchy reputations and the stigma attached in the eyes of the religious authorities. Following a series of secrets, murders, and various period dances, there are also gestures to Mayfairs even further back.

Although there are some ropey Scottish accents along the way, a strong contingent of fans have urged viewers not to judge the show against the books because its not entirely faithful to Rice's trilogy.

Those willing to watch with an open mind have praised the show as a spooky watch that's worth giving a go, despite the fairly low Rotten Tomatoes rating of 59%.

Taking to Google reviews, one user wrote: "From the first episode, I was hooked - the storytelling unfolds in such an intriguing way, keeping me captivated as each new piece of the mystery falls into place. If you're on the fence about watching because of the reviews - give it a chance. You might find yourself just as enchanted as I am."

Another agreed: "As someone who hasn't read the novels & loves fantasy that takes hints from real life - I recommend it to all those who might have enjoyed series like Sabrina on Netflix."

A third chimed in with: "So many bad reviews from those who read the book, I guess I'm happy I didn't because I am really captured by the story! I highly recommend!"

Over on Reddit, one user chuckled: "Mayfair witches is so bad but so good" as another agreed: "[It's] so bad but I'm having a good time!" Meanwhile a third chimed in with: "This is where I'm at. I can't quit".