![They used to burn women at the stake...now they do it online instead](https://cdn.magzter.com/1583741217/1719101925/articles/T6EIs3icB1719132263678/THEY-USED-TO-BURN-WOMEN-AT-THE-STAKENOW-THEY-DO-IT-ONLINE-INSTEAD.jpg)
As the actress delved into the history of witchcraft for a new documentary on TV tonight, she found disturbing parallels between the hounding of innocent people centuries ago and the treatment many now suffer online.
Experts tell the former Corrie star that witch trials have moved onto social media - where women are being tortured with misogynist behaviour and threats of violence.
Suranne, 45, also found moments from the past that resonated deeply with some of her own life experiences.
She said: "One of the biggest things that has struck me is that women were silenced. Women didn't have a voice, they were repressed.
"That is something that has stuck through society and it has been repeated and repeated. It's still a big issue now.
"I had so many occasions coming up through my career when you have an opinion - and the moment you do you can feel the atmosphere change
"You're either too mouthy, too loud, too brash, that's not your job, you need to be quiet, you need to look pretty, smile... all of that stuff has happened."
Suranne shot to fame playing strong female characters, including DC Rachel Bailey in ITV's detective show Scott & Bailey and the title character in BBC series Doctor Foster.
She also took the lead in Gentleman Jack the BBC drama about 19th century trailblazer Anne Lister, who had a secret relationship with Ann Walker, played by Sophie Rundle.
But the star is fascinated by the horrific fate of thousands of women victimised during the witch trials.
This story is from the June 23, 2024 edition of The Sunday Mirror.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 23, 2024 edition of The Sunday Mirror.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![IT'S KRISTMAS TIME](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/_qfPZdZCM1719746120413/ITS-KRISTMAS-TIME.jpg)
IT'S KRISTMAS TIME
Teen amateur wowed the US by making cut on the PGA Tour, now 16-year-old Kim admits: My dream is to play in The Open
![LOVING THE AMBIENTE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/A7xUoyNLq1719745975311/LOVING-THE-AMBIENTE.jpg)
LOVING THE AMBIENTE
Friendly is 'chilled' and ready to fire
![Our son was saved by stem cell donor](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/73eaGqXPG1719745802985/OUR-SON-WAS-SAVED-BY-STEM-CELL-DONOR.jpg)
Our son was saved by stem cell donor
and then we found he worked in same office
![Brother was a part of my soul... we have to stop knife horror](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/pYtZY4ShE1719745449814/BROTHER-WAS-A-PART-OF-MY-SOUL-WE-HAVE-TO-STOP-KNIFE-HORROR.jpg)
Brother was a part of my soul... we have to stop knife horror
Murdered teen's family demands action
![Having one boob won't stop me wearing a bikini](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/3f50jw2Dw1719745636372/HAVING-ONE-BOOB-WONT-STOP-ME-WEARING-A-BIKINI.jpg)
Having one boob won't stop me wearing a bikini
AT 64, most women might think twice about getting into a bikini - and especially after having had a mastectomy.
![Hols 'micro-cheaters'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/e9ddtWEoV1719745354128/HOLS-MICROCHEATERS.jpg)
Hols 'micro-cheaters'
Eight in 10 holidaymakers cross the line as being away 'makes you sexier'
![I was working six days a week at Tesco when I got call about Corrie](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/YxjP-_1MF1719744349772/I-WAS-WORKING-SIX-DAYS-A-WEEK-AT-TESCO-WHEN-I-GOT-CALL-ABOUT-CORRIE.jpg)
I was working six days a week at Tesco when I got call about Corrie
There's plots in store for soap's latest star Sydney
![Game of 2 birthdays](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/1cTzZG_op1719744178391/GAME-OF-2-BIRTHDAYS.jpg)
Game of 2 birthdays
ENGLAND did the double yesterday as two of our football aces celebrated their birthdays.
![Bradley's cash Chase](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/gTA_p7q6d1719744086681/BRADLEYS-CASH-CHASE.jpg)
Bradley's cash Chase
Midas touch Walsh's production company is worth nearly £20m
![Hazard a sweat](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21162/1749982/5SJbdgozq1719743976746/HAZARD-A-SWEAT.jpg)
Hazard a sweat
Odds shorten on record UK heat