James R | On 10, Dec 2020

BBC One’s Black Narcissus will officially arrive on our screens to fill the gap between Christmas and New Year.

An adaptation from BAFTA-winning writer Amanda Coe (Apple Tree Yard) of Rumer Godden’s 1939 novel, the three-part series will bring to life once again the iconic tale of sexual repression and forbidden love, famously brought to the big screen by Powell and Pressburger.

Gemma Arterton leads an all-star cast in the role of Sister Clodagh. Joining Arterton are Alessandro Nivola (American Hustle) as Mr Dean, Aisling Franciosi (The Nightingale) as Sister Ruth, the late Diana Rigg (Game Of Thrones, Victoria) as Mother Dorothea, Jim Broadbent (Paddington, Paddington 2) as Father Roberts, Gina McKee (Bodyguard) as Sister Adela, Rosie Cavaliero (Unforgotten) as Sister Briony, Patsy Ferran (Jamestown) as Sister Blanche, Karen Bryson (MotherFatherSon) as Sister Philippa and newcomer Dipika Kunwar as Kanchi.

Keeping the haunting love story in its original setting of the 1930s, Black Narcissus follows Sister Clodagh (Arterton) and the nuns of St Faiths, who travel to Nepal to set up a branch of their order in the remote palace of Mopu. In the unfettered sensuality of the so-called House of Women, Sister Clodagh finds herself increasingly attracted to the handsome and damaged land agent, Mr Dean (Nivola). But as the repressed memories of Clodagh’s past become entangled with the tragic history of Princess Srimati, history seems doomed to repeat itself.

Are there really ghosts here in the Himalayas, or are the nuns just succumbing to long-repressed primal desires? And which of them is prepared to die – or kill – for love? Find out on 27th December, when the three-part series begins at 9pm on BBC One. Here’s the trailer:

 

Trailer: BBC One’s Black Narcissus set for December release

23rd September 2020

BBC One and FX’s adaptation of Black Narcissus is heading to our screens this December, and a new trailer gives us a first look at the drama.

An adaptation from BAFTA-winning writer Amanda Coe (Apple Tree Yard) of Rumer Godden’s 1939 novel, the three-part series will bring to life once again the iconic tale of sexual repression and forbidden love, famously brought to the big screen by Powell and Pressburger.

Gemma Arterton leads an all-star cast in the role of Sister Clodagh. Joining Arterton are Alessandro Nivola (American Hustle) as Mr Dean, Aisling Franciosi (The Nightingale) as Sister Ruth, the late Diana Rigg (Game Of Thrones, Victoria) as Mother Dorothea, Jim Broadbent (Paddington, Paddington 2) as Father Roberts, Gina McKee (Bodyguard) as Sister Adela, Rosie Cavaliero (Unforgotten) as Sister Briony, Patsy Ferran (Jamestown) as Sister Blanche, Karen Bryson (MotherFatherSon) as Sister Philippa and newcomer Dipika Kunwar as Kanchi.

Keeping the haunting love story in its original setting of the 1930s, Black Narcissus follows Sister Clodagh (Arterton) and the nuns of St Faiths, who travel to Nepal to set up a branch of their order in the remote palace of Mopu. In the unfettered sensuality of the so-called House of Women, Sister Clodagh finds herself increasingly attracted to the handsome and damaged land agent, Mr Dean (Nivola). But as the repressed memories of Clodagh’s past become entangled with the tragic history of Princess Srimati, history seems doomed to repeat itself.

“This study of faith, duty and desire is a riveting, immersive plummet into melodrama,” we wrote in our review of Powell and Pressburger’s iconic film.

Can the series live up to that? Find out this December – and, until then, here’s the trailer:

 

Gemma Arterton leads BBC’s star-studded Black Narcissus

17th September 2019

Gemma Arterton will take the lead role in BBC One’s star-studded take on Black Narcissus.

An adaptation from Bafta award-winning writer Amanda Coe (Apple Tree Yard) of Rumer Godden’s 1939 novel, the three-part series will bring to life once again the iconic tale of sexual repression and forbidden love, famously brought to the big screen by Powell and Pressburger.

Arterton (The King’s Man, The Escape) leads an all-star cast in the role of Sister Clodagh. Joining Arterton is Alessandro Nivola (American Hustle, Chimerica) as Mr Dean, Aisling Franciosi (The Nightingale, I Know This Much Is True) as Sister Ruth, Diana Rigg (Game Of Thrones, Victoria) as Mother Dorothea, Jim Broadbent (Paddington, Paddington 2, The Iron Lady) as Father Roberts, Gina McKee (Catherine The Great, Bodyguard) as Sister Adela, Rosie Cavaliero (Prey, Unforgotten) as Sister Briony, Patsy Ferran (Tom And Jerry, Jamestown) as Sister Blanche, Karen Bryson (MotherFatherSon, Safe) as Sister Philippa and newcomer Dipika Kunwar as Kanchi.

Charlotte Bruus Christensen makes her directorial debut having previously been Director of Photography on hit films such as Girl On A Train, A Quiet Place and Fences, as well as DNA and BBC Films’ Far From The Madding Crowd.

Keeping the haunting love story in its original setting of the 1930s, Black Narcissus follows Sister Clodagh (Arterton) and the nuns of St Faiths, who travel to Nepal to set up a branch of their order in the remote palace of Mopu. In the unfettered sensuality of the so-called House of Women, Sister Clodagh finds herself increasingly attracted to the handsome and damaged land agent, Mr Dean (Nivola). But as the repressed memories of Clodagh’s past become entangled with the tragic history of Princess Srimati, history seems doomed to repeat itself.

Are there really ghosts here in the Himalayas, or are the nuns just succumbing to long-repressed primal desires? And which of them is prepared to die – or kill – for love?

Announcing the project, writer Amanda Coe says: “I’m thrilled to be adapting Black Narcissus for BBC One. It’s a truly extraordinary love story, as well as a brilliantly unsettling piece of 20th century gothic about the power of a place to get under your skin and the dangers of refusing to learn from history.”

Black Narcissus is produced by DNA TV and FX Productions. Executive Producers are Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich and Amanda Coe for DNA TV and FX Productions and Lucy Richer for the BBC.

Filming will begin in October in Jomsom, Nepal and Pinewood Studios,.

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