A witch will challenge gods and monsters in Greek mythology series Circe

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The forthcoming streaming service HBO Max has given an eight episode straight-to-series order to a project called Circe, which is described as "a modern take on the world of Greek mythology".

Based on a novel by Madeline Miller (you can pick up a copy at THIS LINK), Circe is said to be told from "the powerful feminist perspective" of a 

goddess who transforms from an awkward nymph to a formidable witch, able to challenge gods, titans and monsters alike.

A collaboration between Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content, the Circe adaptation is being written and executive produced by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. This husband and wife team has previously worked on THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE, THE RELIC, RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, and JURASSIC WORLD.

Sarah Aubrey, head of originals at HBO Max, had this to say about the project: 

Circe tells an epic story of love, loss, tragedy and immortal conflict, all through the eyes of a fierce female lens. I’ve been a longtime fan of Rick and Amanda’s work and their ability to simultaneously build epic imaginative worlds while creating emotional dynamic characters. In partnership with Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping, we have the dream team to bring Circe to life."

The description of the novel offers more details on the story of Circe: 

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child — not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power — the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

This sort of subject matter isn't usually something I'm interested in, but this show could win me over depending on how much witchcraft is performed and how many monsters are on display.

The images that accompany this article are of the witches from the CLASH OF THE TITANS movies.