Macabre London Podcast Launches Year-Long Occult Series Exploring London’s Dark History
Macabre London, the award-winning true crime and paranormal podcast, is back with a bold new year-long series that promises to dive deep into the spiritual underworld of the capital — from ancient pagan rituals to Victorian secret societies and wartime mysticism.
The new series, titled “Belief & The Occult In The Capital City,” officially launches today (Tuesday, 17 February 2026) and will explore how religion, folklore, superstition, and occult practices have shaped London’s identity across centuries.
Hosted and written by Nikki Druce, the podcast will deliver a mix of historical investigation, eerie storytelling, and expert commentary, marking a major expansion in the show’s format and ambition.
A Dark New Chapter for One of London’s Most Popular Podcasts
First launched in 2017, Macabre London has built a dedicated following through its chilling focus on:
True crime stories hidden in London’s streets
Paranormal legends and unexplained encounters
Forgotten historical mysteries
Grim folklore and urban myth
Over the years, the podcast has become a standout voice in British storytelling, blending documentary-style research with immersive narration and a cinematic atmosphere.
In 2025, the podcast reached a new milestone after winning an Independent Podcast Award for Best Use Of Video, cementing its reputation as a multimedia success — especially with its growing presence on YouTube.
Now, Nikki Druce is expanding the show’s narrative scope with a series that digs into one of the most fascinating forces in London’s history: belief.
What Is “Belief & The Occult In The Capital City” About?
The newly launched series will explore how belief systems — both mainstream and underground — helped shape London’s political decisions, cultural traditions, and even social power structures.
Rather than focusing only on ghosts or crime, this new season aims to explore the deeper roots of London’s supernatural reputation.
The series will trace the evolution of belief systems across different eras, including:
The Bronze Age
The Roman invasion
Medieval religious rule
Witchcraft paranoia and trials
Victorian occult movements
Secret societies and esoteric orders
The occult’s influence during World War II
With each episode, Nikki will uncover how London became a city where myth and reality constantly overlap.
Nikki Druce Explores London’s Occult Past — From Pagan Gods to War-Time Mysticism
In this new project, Nikki Druce will guide listeners through a chronological journey, examining how spiritual practices developed and evolved alongside London itself.
From the earliest tribes and settlers to elite secret societies, the podcast asks one central question:
Why has London always been a breeding ground for belief, superstition, and occult fascination?
The series promises to reveal the strange truth behind how religion and mysticism often influenced key political and cultural shifts — sometimes in ways still visible today.
First Episodes Dive Into Early London and Boudicca’s Spiritual Legacy
The first two episodes are already generating interest, particularly for their focus on early London history.
Episode One: London Before London
The debut episode travels back to the earliest origins of settlement in the region — exploring what the land was like before it became the global city we know today.
Listeners will be introduced to early belief systems and the spiritual landscape that existed long before Christianity dominated Britain.
Episode Two: Boudicca, Londinium, and the Goddess Andraste
Episode two examines one of the most dramatic moments in Britain’s ancient history: Boudicca’s destruction of Londinium.
The episode also explores Boudicca’s devotion to Andraste, the goddess associated with war and victory, and how spiritual devotion played a role in rebellion and resistance.
This approach is expected to set the tone for the season: belief not as background detail, but as a driving force in history.
Upcoming Episodes Will Cover Witch Trials, Occult Societies and Aleister Crowley
The year-long series is designed to cover multiple eras and themes, with later episodes expected to tackle some of the most famous occult figures and organisations linked to London.
Topics confirmed for future episodes include:
The Spread of Christianity and Religious Power
The series will explore how Christianity reshaped London’s culture and governance, often clashing with older pagan practices and folk traditions.
Witchcraft Trials and Medieval Paranoia
Listeners will hear about London’s darker medieval period, when superstition and fear led to accusations, persecution, and the rise of witch trials.
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
One of the most intriguing episodes will examine the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the secretive occult society that became infamous for its rituals, mysticism, and influence on Western esoteric tradition.
The Golden Dawn is especially known for its association with Aleister Crowley, who became one of the most controversial occult figures in modern history.
Dr John Dee: Elizabethan Occultist and Royal Adviser
Another highlight will be the exploration of Dr John Dee, the Elizabethan mathematician, astrologer, and mystic who advised Queen Elizabeth I and pursued angelic communication through occult practices.
His influence on early scientific and mystical thought makes him a perfect subject for the series’ blend of politics, belief, and secrecy.
Podcast Format Evolves: Expert Contributors Join the Storytelling
In a major shift, this will be the first time Macabre London incorporates outside expert contributors in a consistent format.
Until now, Nikki Druce has presented the podcast solo since its launch, becoming known for her signature voice and immersive narrative style.
However, this new series marks a deliberate move toward community-based storytelling.
Experts expected to appear may include:
Historians
Archaeologists
Folklore researchers
Religious scholars
Paranormal investigators
Cultural commentators
The inclusion of specialists is expected to strengthen the podcast’s credibility while offering fresh perspectives on long-debated mysteries.
Nikki Druce: “I Am So Excited to Launch Into This New Series”
Speaking about the launch, Nikki Druce described the project as a natural progression after her previous successful long-form season.
“I am so excited to launch into this new series exploring the occult,” Nikki said.
She explained that in 2025 she had already completed an ambitious year-long project titled:
“Crime and Punishment In The Capital City”
That series explored how law and order developed in London — from early justice systems to punishment culture and social control.
Now, the focus has shifted from crime to something arguably more powerful: belief itself.
“In 2025, I delved into a yearlong series called ‘Crime and Punishment In The Capital City’ which took a look at the origins of law and order in London but now in ‘Belief & The Occult In The Capital City’, I’ll be uncovering exactly how the city came to have the belief systems it does today.”
“It Felt Like the Right Time”: Why Experts Are Joining Macabre London
Nikki also highlighted why she chose to bring in contributors for the first time.
She noted that after nearly a decade of solo podcasting, the theme of belief demanded collaboration and specialist knowledge.
“I’ve been presenting Macabre London on my own since 2017 and so it felt like the right time with a series about belief to bring in experts and to operate in community.”
The decision is likely to be welcomed by long-time fans, especially those who enjoy deep historical detail and evidence-backed storytelling.
Where to Listen: Macabre London’s New Occult Series Launches Today
The series is now available across all major platforms, including:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts (where available)
Amazon Music
YouTube
The show’s YouTube presence is expected to play a major role this season, especially following its 2025 award win for video storytelling.
Patreon Fans Get Extra “Experimental” Occult Content
Alongside the main release schedule, Nikki has confirmed that additional bonus content will be made available via Patreon.
This includes what has been described as “experimental content,” likely featuring:
behind-the-scenes research
deeper lore discussions
extended interviews
bonus paranormal investigations
listener Q&A sessions
historical documents and story add-ons
For fans who love immersive storytelling, Patreon will likely become a major extension of the Macabre London universe.
Why London Remains the Perfect Setting for Occult Storytelling
London has long been considered one of the most spiritually haunted and historically layered cities in the world.
Its streets contain thousands of years of overlapping history — including Roman ruins, medieval plague pits, Victorian burial grounds, and wartime destruction.
But beyond physical history, London also holds a psychological reputation as a place where mystery thrives.
Reasons London remains a hotspot for occult fascination include:
centuries of religious conflict
the clash of paganism and Christianity
underground secret societies
folklore passed down through generations
hidden rituals tied to old landmarks
political power intersecting with superstition
The Macabre London series is expected to tap into all of this, offering not just spooky tales, but deeper context about why London became such a magnet for mystical thinking.
What Makes This Podcast Different From Other Paranormal Shows?
Unlike many paranormal podcasts that rely heavily on modern ghost stories or fictional horror, Macabre London has always stood out for its grounding in history.
This series is expected to strengthen that reputation further by combining:
deep historical research
real political and cultural context
folklore as social evidence
expert insight
narrative storytelling that feels cinematic
That blend makes it appealing not only to paranormal fans, but also to listeners who enjoy history podcasts, true crime documentaries, and investigative journalism.
Audience Reaction: Fans Expect Macabre London’s Biggest Year Yet
While full listener reviews will emerge in the coming weeks, early reaction on social media suggests excitement among long-term followers.
Fans have already praised Nikki Druce’s ability to:
make history feel alive
tell dark stories without sensationalism
balance mystery with evidence
deliver atmospheric storytelling
With the addition of expert contributors and a year-long release plan, many believe 2026 could become the podcast’s most successful year to date.
Final Thoughts: A Haunting Journey Into London’s Hidden Belief Systems Begins
With the launch of Belief & The Occult In The Capital City, Macabre London is stepping beyond ghost stories and into something broader — a historical excavation of London’s spiritual DNA.
From pagan devotion and Roman gods to witch trials, secret societies, and occult revival movements, the series promises to explore the forces that shaped London not just as a city, but as a myth.
For listeners fascinated by the eerie intersection of history and mysticism, this is shaping up to be one of the most compelling podcast series of 2026.