Remember “Black Narcissus,” the 1947 British psychological drama film written, produced, and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and starring Deborah Kerr? Well, you may have forgotten, but FX announced a year ago that they were making a three-episode limited series based on the same material from writer Amanda Coe (“Shameless,” “The Trial of Christine Keeler”) and directed by Danish cinematographer turned director Charlotte Bruus Christensen (known for shooting “The Hunt,” “Far From The Madding Crowd” and second unit on Ben Affleck’s “Live By Night”). Today, FX announced the premiere date and released a new trailer. “Black Narcissus” will premiere all three episodes on FX on Monday, November 23 beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with the full series also available the following day on FX on Hulu.
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Here’s the official synopsis:
Black Narcissus is 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.
“Black Narcissus” stars Gemma Arterton as “Sister Clodagh,” Alessandro Nivola as “Mr. Dean,” Aisling Franciosi as “Sister Ruth,” Diana Rigg as “Mother Dorothea,” Jim Broadbent as “Father Roberts,” Rosie Cavaliero as “Sister Briony,” Karen Bryson as “Sister Philippa,” Patsy Ferran as “Sister Blanche,” Nila Aalia as “Angu Ayah,” Kulvinder Ghir as “General Toda Rai,” Chaneil Kular as “Dilip Rai,” Dipika Kunwar as “Kanchi,” Gina McKee as “Sister Adela,” Soumil Malla as “Joseph Anthony,” Gianni Gonsalves as “Srimati Rai.”
“Black Narcissus” is produced by DNA TV in association with FX Productions for BBC One and the FX Networks. The series is executive produced by Coe along with Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich of DNA TV, and Lucy Richer and Ayela Butt for the BBC. Macdonald and Reich most recently served as executive producers on the acclaimed FX on Hulu limited series Devs. “Black Narcissus” will air in the U.K. on BBC One in December. Watch the trailer below.