Suranne Jones shocked by discovery in Channel 4 series Investigating Witch Trials

Suranne, who made the two-part documentary with her husband Laurence Akers, said it was something she had to do as a woman.

Suranne Jones said the moments from the trials really echoed some of her experiences as an actress (Getty Images)

They’ve been persecuted for being witches for hundreds of years, but Suranne Jones Jones says women still suffer the same kind of dark oppression today.

As the actress delved into the history of witchcraft for a new documentary airing on TV tonight, she discovered disturbing parallels between the stalking of innocents centuries ago and the treatment many face today online today.

Experts tell the former Corrie star that witch trials have moved to social media – where women are tortured with misogynistic behavior and threats of violence. Suranne, 45, has also rediscovered moments from the past that resonate deeply with some of her own life experiences.

She said: “One of the things that struck me the most was that women were silenced. Women had no voice, they were repressed.

Suranne traveled to places where witch trials had taken place (Channel 4)

“It’s something that has remained in society and has been repeated and repeated. It’s still a big problem now. I’ve had so many occasions in my career where you have an opinion – and as soon as you do, you can feel the atmosphere change.

“Either you’re too talkative, or too loud, or too brash, that’s not your job, you have to be quiet, you have to be pretty, smile…all of this has happened.” Suranne rose to fame playing strong female characters, including DC Rachel Bailey in the ITV crime show Scott & Bailey and the title character in the BBC series Doctor Foster.

She also played the lead role in Gentleman Jack – the BBC drama about 19th century pioneer Anne Lister, who had a secret relationship with Ann Walker, played by Sophie Rundle. But the star is fascinated by the horrible fate of the thousands of women victims during the witch trials. Between 1427 and 1782, up to 60,000 people were executed – many burned alive.

Suranne played lesbian Anne Lister, the “first modern lesbian” in Gentlemen Jack(BBC/Lookout Point/HBO/Jay Brooks)

TeamAkers, the production company Suranne owns with her husband Laurence Akers, made the two-part documentary for Channel 4. She said: “I feel like I had to do this… it’s part of my women’s history. I thought I was interested in witches, but the more I think about it, the more I find it interesting. I feel like I’ve opened up as a woman.