The resurgence of folklore in the digital age is captivating audiences across the UK, as BAFTA-winning actor and writer Charlie Cooper explores myths and legends in a new BBC series.
Growing up in rural Gloucestershire, Cooper was surrounded by ghost stories and local traditions, but it wasn’t until he delved into the world of folklore while creating the critically-acclaimed BBC series This Country that he truly appreciated the “bizarre and wonderful” nature of folk culture.
Now, with the help of social media, Cooper is uncovering the rich tapestry of folklore that exists in every corner of the UK. From online communities dedicated to folk traditions to TikTok videos retelling myths and urban legends, folklore is experiencing a renaissance among young people.
Cooper’s exploration of folklore in his BBC series, Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country, takes him to community events, metal detector groups searching for ancient relics, and even leads him to create his own crop circle. Through sharing stories about folklore, Cooper believes that communities can come together and people can feel a sense of belonging to the landscape.
With the academic study of folklore attracting young people seeking a sense of rootedness, TikTok creator Siân Powell, with a master’s degree in Celtic studies, has amassed a following of over 90,000 people by sharing Cornish and Welsh folklore on the platform.
As folklore continues to evolve and modernize, Cooper emphasizes the importance of taking traditions rooted in the past and making them relevant for today. From all-female Morris dancers sharing their routines on TikTok to urban legends becoming a form of modern folklore, the stories we tell each other are constantly changing and adapting.
So, whether you’re intrigued by the ghostly dog Black Shuck roaming East Anglia or the mermaids swimming off the coast of Cornwall, folklore is alive and thriving in the digital age, connecting people to their environment and enriching their sense of place.
