The Worst Witch (2017 TV series)

The Worst Witch is a British-German fantasy children's television series based on the Worst Witch books by Jill Murphy. It is a reboot of the 1998 TV series of the same name. The show follows Mildred Hubble, a young girl who unexpectedly finds herself enrolled at Cackle's Academy, a school for witches.

The series premiered on CBBC in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2017, and on Netflix internationally. It is produced by CBBC Productions, ZDF, and Netflix.

The show retains the core themes of the books, focusing on Mildred's clumsy but well-meaning attempts to master witchcraft, often leading to comical mishaps and near disasters. The series emphasizes themes of friendship, perseverance, and believing in oneself, even in the face of adversity.

Unlike the 1998 series, the 2017 adaptation includes more extensive special effects and aims for a more contemporary feel while remaining faithful to the spirit of the source material. New characters and storylines are introduced alongside familiar elements from the books.

The main cast includes Bella Ramsey as Mildred Hubble (seasons 1-3), Lydia Page as Mildred Hubble (season 4), Tamara Smart as Enid Nightshade, and Jenny Richardson as Ethel Hallow. The series features guest appearances from actors such as Raquel Cassidy as Miss Hardbroom and Clare Higgins as Miss Cackle.

The series has received generally positive reviews, praising its faithfulness to the books, its engaging storylines, and its strong performances from the cast. It has been nominated for and won several awards, including a British Academy Children's Award.

Four seasons of The Worst Witch have been produced, with the final season airing in 2020.