In comparison to the rest of Britain and Europe, Wales did not fall victim to the witch hunts and mass executions of the 17th century. Influenced by the guilty verdicts of eight Welsh women accused of being witches (only one sentenced to death), As Dusk Crawls responds to this unique phenomenon by challenging Arcadian ideals of landscape and the darker undertones of folklore.

The historic influence of pamphlet literature (introduced by ideas and events in England but not typically used in Wales) turned the rural into a sinister, threatening land. Written warnings were published to the public broadcasting supposed witchcraft activities in an often successful attempt to incite hysteria, and here they are reimagined for the Welsh population of the 1600s. The series studies the mystery and myth embedded in the landscape, and explores the norms and values of Welsh society at this time, unpicking why a fear of witches never gained such traction. In short, Welsh courts were more concerned with the problem of theft.