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'Black Narcissus': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about the FX series starring Gemma Arterton

The story follows a group of nuns facing challenges in the hostile environment of a remote old Himalayan palace that they wish to make a convent

An adaptation of the 1939 novel by Rumer Godden named 'Black Narcissus' is coming to FX. The story follows a group of nuns facing challenges in the hostile environment of a remote old Himalayan palace that they wish to make a convent.

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming series. 

Release date

The season premiere of 'Black Narcissus' will air on November 23, 2020, on FX.

Plot

The official synopsis of the series states: "Black Narcissus is an FX limited series based on the best-selling novel by Rumer Godden. Mopu, Himalayas, 1934. A remote clifftop palace once known as the ‘House of Women’ holds many dark secrets. When the young nuns of St Faith attempt to establish a mission there, its haunting mysteries awaken forbidden desires that seem destined to repeat a terrible tragedy."

"During the latter years of British rule in India, ambitious young nun Sister Clodagh heads a mission to a remote part of the Himalayas. The palace of Mopu has been donated by General Toda Rai, who hopes the Sisters of St Faith will rid the ‘House of Women’ of unhappy memories connected to his late sister, Srimati. Although Clodagh ignores the warnings of the General’s raffish agent Mr Dean, isolation and illness soon take their toll, with the haunting atmosphere of the palace particularly affecting volatile Sister Ruth. As past and present collide, the arrival of the young General Dilip Rai is the catalyst for an explosion of repressed desires that may end in a fatal confrontation."

Cast

Gemma Arterton as Sister Clodagh

Arterton is best known for her work in 'St Trinian's'. Her breakthrough role was playing Bond Girl Strawberry Fields in the James Bond film 'Quantum of Solace', a performance which won her an Empire Award for Best Newcomer. She is also known for 'The Duchess of Malfi', 'Made in Dagenham', 'Nell Gwynn' and 'Saint Joan'.

Alessandro Nivola as Mr Dean

Nivola is a celebrated actor having been nominated for Tony Award, a Critics Choice Award and an Independent Spirit Award and has won a Screen Actors Guild Award, a British Independent Film Award (BIFA) and the Best Actor Award at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, among others. He is known for his work in 'Face/Off', 'Jurassic Park III' and the upcoming Sopranos feature film prequel 'The Many Saints of Newark'. 

Aisling Franciosi as Sister Ruth

Franciosi is known for playing the part of Katie Benedetto in the RTÉ-BBC Two crime drama television series 'The Fall' and for her role as Kate Crawford in the TNT series 'Legends'. In 2016, Franciosi appeared in HBO's 'Game of Thrones' in the sixth season as Lyanna Stark and reprised her role in the seventh season.

Apart from them, 'Black Narcissus' also stars Diana Rigg as Mother Dorothea, Jim Broadbent as Father Roberts, Gina McKee as Sister Adela, Rosie Cavaliero as Sister Briony, Patsy Ferran as Sister Blanche, Karen Bryson as Sister Philippa, Charlie Maher as Con, Dipika Kunwar as Kanchi and Gianni Gonsalves as Princess Srimati.

Creators

'Black Narcissus' is based on the book by Rumer Godden, is written by Amanda Coe for the screen and directed by Charlotte Bruus Christensen. 'Black Narcissus' is produced by DNA TV in association with FX Productions for BBC One and the FX Networks. Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich of DNA TV executive produce along with Coe, who also serves as writer, and Lucy Richer for the BBC. 

Trailers

You can watch the trailer here.

Where to watch

'Black Narcissus' will air on November 23, 2020, on FX at 8 pm. 

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