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This article is about the TV series. You may be looking for the town of Salem, Massachusetts.

Salem is an historical fiction drama created by Adam Simon and Brannon Braga based upon the actual Salem witch trials of the 17th century. It is WGN America's first original scripted-drama. The series premiered on April of 2014 and concluded on January 25th, 2017, after a three-seasons run.

Series Overview

In "Salem," witches are real, but they are not who or what they seem. The show, which centers on an epic romance wrapped around this explosive revelation, delivers a bold new vision of Salem - and an even bolder new vision of witches.

"Salem" stars Janet Montgomery ("Human Target," "Made in Jersey") as the ruthless but vulnerable Mary Sibley, Salem's most powerful enchantress - and Alden's onetime love interest; Shane West ("Nikita," "ER") as handsome, hardened war veteran John Alden; Seth Gabel ("Fringe") as local aristocrat Cotton Mather who fans the flames of Salem's witch hunt; Ashley Madekwe ("Revenge") as Tituba, Mary's mysterious, carnal accomplice; Xander Berkeley ("Nikita," "The Mentalist") as chief politician Magistrate Hale; Tamzin Merchant ("Jane Eyre") as the forthright Anne Hale, an artist with a perilous attraction to Alden; Elise Eberle ("The Astronaut Farmer") as the mysteriously afflicted Mercy Lewis, and Iddo Goldberg ("Mob City") as outcast Isaac Walton.

"Salem" explores what really fueled the town's infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth behind them. Created, executive-produced and written by award-winning writer/producer Brannon Braga ("24," "Star Trek: The Next Generation, Voyager and Enterprise") and Adam Simon ("The Haunting in Connecticut"), "Salem" is WGN America's first original scripted series and launches the network's strategy to become a dedicated purveyor of innovative scripted fare.[1]

Production

WGN America has ordered the drama series "Salem" from award-winning producers Brannon Braga (24, Star Trek: TNG, Voyager & Enterprise) and Adam Simon (The Haunting in Connecticut) it was announced today by Matt Cherniss , President/GM, WGN America. The series hails from Fox 21 (Homeland, Sons of Anarchy), the prolific cable production division of Twentieth Century Fox Television, and marks the first original scripted series for WGN America as it begins to aggressively expand its programming slate.

Set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, "Salem" explores what really fueled the town's infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth hiding behind the veil of this infamous period in American history. In "Salem," witches are real, but they are not who or what they seem. The show, which centers on an epic romance wrapped around this explosive revelation, delivers a bold new vision of "Salem" - and an even bolder new vision of witches. WGN America has ordered 13 episodes entering production this fall in for a 2014 premiere. The series was created and written by Brannon Braga and Adam Simon , who will serve as executive producers alongside Prospect Park's Josh Barry and Jeff Kwatinetz . The series will be produced by Fox 21.

Said Cherniss, "Brannon and Adam have an amazing vision for the world and characters that comprise Salem, Massachusetts during the witch trials and we believe that a great adventure full of supernatural, romance, and action awaits the viewer. In addition, everyone here at WGN America feels fortunate to have the support of Fox 21 and 20th Television as we embark on our first foray in original scripted programming. As WGN America launches its strategy of programming distinctive original content, SALEM is the perfect vehicle, and Gary, Dana, Bert and everyone at 20th with whom we have worked in the past is the perfect studio for us to begin this journey," said Peter Liguori , CEO, Tribune Company. "Salem is a subject that has captivated readers and audiences, and this show gives us a chance to examine it with a fresh perspective through the eyes of great storytellers."

"Our studio has had a long and successful relationship with Peter and Matt, so we are thrilled to be back in business with them on this fantastic new project," remarked Twentieth Century Fox Television Chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman . "And we're excited to be working again with co-creator Brannon Braga , whose history with this company dates all the way back to '24.' As we expand our cable television business through Fox 21, we are always on the lookout for new opportunities, and we couldn't be prouder to be the first studio to produce an original scripted series for WGN America."

Added Fox 21 President Bert Salke , "SALEM is a passion project of ours at Fox 21, and Matt and Peter's enthusiasm for it was instantaneous and incredibly gratifying. We are excited to be delivering WGN America its inaugural scripted series and look forward to continuing to develop with the network in the years ahead."[2]

Casting

Casting announcements began October 8, 2013, with Ashley Madekwe first cast in the role of Tituba. [3] By the end of the month, Seth Gabel, Janet Montgomery and Xander Berkeley were cast in the leading roles of Cotton Mather, Mary Sibley, and Magistrate John Hale, respectively.[4] By November, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Shane West was cast in the leading role of Captain Alden [5] followed by Tamzin Merchant and Elise Eberle playing Anne Hale and Mercy Lewis, respectively. Iddo Goldberg's character, Isaac Walton was intended to die at the end of the first season but proved a fan-favorite and he remained part of the ensemble cast for its entire run. The second season saw an expanded cast with Oliver Bell and Joe Doyle billed as regulars, playing Mary's long lost son and Baron Von Marburg. Lucy Lawless, Stuart Townsend, and Jeremy Crutchley joined the cast in a recurring capacity.[6]

Cast & Characters

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Opening Title

Main article: Salem Opening Theme

The series premiere displayed an animated title card that is used in promotional teasers. On April 24th, 2014 WGN America released the opening credits videoclip featuring the song "Cupid Carries a Gun" by Marilyn Manson and Tyler Bates. Bates is the composer of the score. He said that "Manson and I wrote a draft of ‘Cupid Carries a Gun’ shortly before I began working on the score for ‘Salem.’ A couple weeks later, I saw the title sequence and the song immediately came to mind. I showed it to Manson for fun more than anything, and it inspired us to finish the song that night. The next day, I played it for Brannon Braga and he said that ‘Cupid Carries a Gun’ was the perfect tone and attitude for the show’s main titles."

Promotional Images

Videos

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References

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