Black Narcissus (TV series)

Black Narcissus is a British drama serial, based on the 1939 novel of the same name by Rumer Godden. The series features one of the final performances of Diana Rigg, who died in September 2020. The drama premiered on November 23, 2020 on FX in the US,[2] and on December 27, 2020 on BBC One in the UK.

Black Narcissus
Based onBlack Narcissus
by Rumer Godden
Written byAmanda Coe
Directed byCharlotte Bruus Christensen
Starring
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producers
  • Amanda Coe
  • Andrew Macdonald
  • Allon Reich
  • Lucy Richer
EditorJinx Godfrey
Running time57–60 minutes
Distributor
Release
Original network
Original releaseNovember 23, 2020 (2020-11-23)
External links
Website

Premise

An Anglican nun sent to establish a branch of her order with her fellow sisters in the Himalayas struggles to temper her attractions to a World War I veteran they meet.

Cast

Episodes
No.TitleDirected by [2]Written by [2]Original air date [3]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Episode One"Charlotte Bruus ChristensenAmanda CoeNovember 23, 2020 (2020-11-23)0.445[4]
It's 1934, and Sister Clodagh leads an order of hand picked British nuns from her order in Darjeeling to the remote Palace of Mopu in the Himalayas where she sets up a mission school. It's a curious and eerie place, full of shadows, with memories of tragedy attached to its perilous bell tower seemingly soaked in the walls. However the unsettling atmosphere, the distracting presence of Mr. Dean and the ghosts of the previous occupants stir memories she'd thought she had forgotten.
2"Episode Two"Charlotte Bruus ChristensenAmanda CoeNovember 23, 2020 (2020-11-23)0.333[4]
Sister Clodagh begins to lose control of the convent. Feelings come to a head between Sister Clodagh, Sister Ruth and Mr Dean at the Christmas celebration.
3"Episode Three"Charlotte Bruus ChristensenAmanda CoeNovember 23, 2020 (2020-11-23)0.310[4]
Sister Clodagh is forced to impose strict order on the convent or risk losing control as Father Roberts and Sister Adela prove to be unlikely allies for Sister Ruth. Dilip Rai and Kanchi are discovered together with dramatic consequences.

Production

In October 2019, filming began on a new three part drama loosely based on the 1939 Rumer Godden novel,[5] which was also adapted into the film Black Narcissus (1947), featuring Deborah Kerr as Sister Clodagh.[6][7]

The drama is a co-production between the BBC and FX. Alessandro Nivola and Gemma Arterton star in the series, with Amanda Coe writing the screenplay and Charlotte Bruus Christensen directing all three episodes. Filming took place in Jomsom, Nepal, and at Pinewood Studios.[5][8] The drama premiered on November 23, 2020 on FX.[2]

Reception

For the miniseries, review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 53% based on 19 critic reviews, with an average rating of 5.69/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Black Narcissus doesn't quite escape the shadow of its cinematic forebear, but this miniseries sufficiently keeps the faith with excellent performances and visual splendor."[9] Metacritic gave the miniseries a weighted average score of 67 out of 100 based on 12 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[10]

The series was reviewed for The Guardian newspaper by Lucy Mangan who gave it three stars and calling it erotic, gothic – and totally unconvincing[11] while Anita Singh for The Telegraph gave it four stars reporting the first episode as the hills are alive with the sound of sexually-charged nuns[12]

See also

References
  1. "Meet the cast of BBC One's Black Narcissus, 7 December 2020". Radio TImes. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  2. Haring, Bruce (September 21, 2020). "'Black Narcissus' Gets FX Premiere Date, Trailer And Key Art Released". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  3. "Black Narcissus – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  4. Metcalf, Mitch (November 24, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.23.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  5. "BBC - Gemma Arterton takes the lead role in new BBC and FXP drama Black Narcissus - Media Centre". BBC News. September 16, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  6. "When is Black Narcissus on TV?". Radio Times. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  7. Hale, Mike (November 22, 2020). "'Black Narcissus' Review: Nuns, Mountains, High Passion". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  8. "Where is Black Narcissus filmed?, 27 December 2020". Radio TImes. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  9. "Black Narcissus: Miniseries (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  10. "Black Narcissus". Metacritic. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  11. "Black Narcissus review: erotic, gothic – and totally unconvincing by Lucy Mangan, 27 December 2020". The Guardian. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  12. "Black Narcissus, episode 1, review: the hills are alive with the sound of sexually-charged nuns by Anita Singh, 27 December 2020". The Telegraph. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
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