The 10 best new television shows of 2020
By Shaun Stacy
Best new television shows of 2020: Motherland: Fort Salem
Platform: Freeform
Cast: Jessica Sutton, Ashley Nicole Williams, Taylor Hickson, Demetria McKinney, Amalia Holm, Lyne Renee
Motherland: Fort Salem is the only show on our list that has a main cast that is comprised entirely of women, and it’s all the better for it.
The premise of the show puts a modern twist on the infamous Salem witch trials in which the U.S. government ended persecution of witches 300 years ago after both parties agree to what is essentially, a witch branch of the U.S. Army.
Young witches, such as our main trio; Tally (Sutton), Raelle (Hickson), and Abigail (Williams), are voluntarily enlisted to fight for the country that once feared and persecuted them. Fort Salem is the base for basic training, in which witches learn to hone their skills as well as work together as a cohesive unit. The world itself has become at odds with a terrorist witch organization known as the Spree, a group that works against the military conscription of witches.
The blatantly obvious theme of sisterhood plays a big part in the series, but so do ideals of identity, authority, and struggling with your moral compass. Tally, Raelle, and Abigail are polar opposites in a lot of ways, but they all come together as a unit, making each one stronger in her abilities in turn. Raelle, an out lesbian, finds herself embroiled in a romance with an undercover Spree agent, Abigail works to create her own reputation and not one that is based on her famous last name, and Tally is the eternal optimist who keeps them both in line.
The unit is overseen by Anacostia (McKinney) a tough drill sergeant dealing with her own past, and present, demons. Motherland: Fort Salem is filled with rich, complex female characters that keep you glued to your screen, whether they are kicking ass or breaking your heart. Season 2 is currently in production at Freeform.