The BBC & FX Productions have announced an all-star cast, led by Gemma Arterton (‘The King’s Man’, ‘The Escape’), for their upcoming adaption of Rumer Godden’s iconic novel ‘Black Narcissus’.
From Bafta award-winning writer Amanda Coe (‘The Trial Of Christine Keeler’, ‘Apple Tree Yard’), DNA TV and director Charlotte Bruus Christensen comes a new three-part adaptation of the 1939 classic literary novel ‘Black Narcissus’, Rumer Godden’s iconic tale of sexual repression and forbidden love.
Returning this haunting love story to its original setting in 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 (Alessandro Nivola – ‘American Hustle’, ‘Chimerica’). 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?
Joining Arterton and Nivola are 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 Dipika Kunwar as Kanchi who makes her television debut.
“I’m thrilled to be adapting Black Narcissus for BBC One,” comments writer Amanda Coe. “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.”
The series will be the directorial debut for Cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen. She previously served as Director of Photography on hit films such as ‘Girl On A Train’, ‘A Quiet Place’, ‘Fences’ as well as DNA and BBC Films’ ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’.
The 3-part drama adaptation for BBC One 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. Black Narcissus was previously adapted for screen in 1947 by Powell and Pressburger and subsequently won two Oscars for Cinematography (Jack Cardiff) and Art Direction (Alfred Junge).
Filming on ‘Black Narcissus’ starts in October in Jomsom, Nepal and Pinewood Studios, UK.