An ITV2 show following a group of attractive young women living in a suspiciously spacious flat, coping with the drama of love, work, and friendship?

No, don’t fear, it’s not another of the rattle-brained reality shows that the channel has become known for. It’s a new supernatural comedy-drama called Switch, and it’s off to a strong, if not spellbinding, start.

Produced by Being Human‘s Philip Trethowan and co-written by Misfits producer Chloe Moss, Switch forgoes the grit and gore of either show for some technicolor supernatural fun and laughs instead. Even the ominous appearance of the witches of Kensington is more campy than creepy, especially given that they look as terrifying as the cast of Made in Chelsea. Pleasingly, it has just as strong a voice as both shows – a giggle rather than a growl – and quick characterisation to win over the audience.

Stella (Lacey Turner), Jude (Nina Toussiant-White), Hannah (Hannah Tointon), and Grace (Phoebe Fox) are four charming twentysomething witches living in North London, and more preoccupied with boys and employment than eye of newt. In a narrative device that’s sure to have the drama wrung out of it aplenty throughout the series, each of them represents a certain elemental force – Air, Fire, Earth, Water – and all four must be combined in order to cast a spell. Think Captain Planet with a coven.

That each girl’s personality is reflective of their element means we’re spared unnecessary exposition, but at the slight expense of having characters that feel a little like they’ve stepped out of a kids’ show and learned how to swear. It’s a fantastic cast of actresses, but only the marvellous Phoebe Fox as quivering Grace feels like she has anything to really get her teeth into.

There’s no escaping that this show is cappuccino witchcraft – airy and light and infused with 21st century trendiness (Spells? There’s an app for that). Think Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Charmed boiled down in a cauldron until only the glaringly cool remains. If a hipster warlock turns up at some point, carrying a broomstick ironically, we won’t be surprised.

Each character is glamorous in a way that people in their mid-twenties want to be but rarely are; working at glossy ad agencies, trendy boutiques, or jetting off around the globe to add more photos to Facebook. Strangely, it’s almost more believable that they practise magic than that there’s a flat that big in Camden.

With the mix of romance, work and magic there’s a feel to the show that can best be described as ‘hex and the city’. Though there aren’t as many jokes as the show thinks there is, the ones that are present land well. There’s room for improvement in Switch, but this is a good start, and an opening episode that will surely win many fans. Until Misfits returns, Switch will scratch your itch for people with powers.

Aired at 10pm on Monday 15th October 2012 on ITV2.

> Order Series 1 on DVD on Amazon.

What did you think of Switched? Let us know below…