The first look at FX’s new limited series Black Narcissus was released on Monday with a trailer full of blood, the devil, and nuns struggling to fight against evil. In collaboration with BBC, the series premiere date is November 23 at 8 PM ET/PT on FX via Indiewire.
“This is an unusual place and we should expect unusual things.” That is a warning uttered in the first trailer for Black Narcissus, a show that studies the sexual oppression of women and the consequences that come with it. Set in 1934, the series will follow one particular nun, Sister Clodagh, a newcomer at a secluded convent in the Himalayan mountains who discovers things are not as they seem. Clodagh, portrayed by Gemma Aderton (Quantum of Solace), is a naive woman who becomes filled with suspicion and fright as she becomes further entangled with other nuns problems and the temptation of lust in the Himalayas. The series will also star Jim Broadbent (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) as Father Roberts and Aisling Franiosi (Game of Thrones) as a particularly troubled, lovesick nun, Sister Ruth.
Black Narcissus was originally a novel written by Rumer Godden (China Court) in 1939. An acclaimed author, she wrote the novel with themes of feminism depicting English nuns constrained by their sexual desires. They are continuously tormented as darkness seems to be lurking in all corners of the convent they’re residing in, along with a few dangerous men who pose as a threat to temptation. A bestselling novel, it was then turned into the 1947 film under the same name. It was a hit and critically acclaimed, taking home the Oscar for Best Cinematography along with being nominated for Best Art Direction. Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (The Red Shoes), the film took a slight detour from the horror genre, instead choosing to focus on drama and suspense. However, the upcoming limited series is embracing the original terror the novel hinted at.
It will be a story about women made by women, as Charlotte Bruus Christensen (A Quiet Place) is one of the featured directors, along with Amanda Coe (Room at the Top) writing three of it’s episodes. It’s executive produced by Coe along with Lucy Richer (Top of the Lake), Allon Riech (Annihalation), and Andrew Macdonald (Ex Machina).
Watch the trailer for the upcoming limited series below: