nun's the word
THE BBC has dropped the first trailer for Black Narcissus - tracking sexually repressed nuns led astray by 'sin and perversion'.
Adapted from Rumer Godden's 1939 novel of the same name, the BBC/FX drama is set in the 1930s and tells the story of sexual repression and forbidden love.
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Gemma Arterton leads a group of nuns as Sister Clodagh, as they travel from their British convent to Nepal, where they plan to set up a branch of their order in the remote palace of Mopu.
However, the nuns find themselves in a place of sensuality nicknamed the House of Women due to some of the sexual antics that previously took place there, and Sister Clodagh finds herself increasingly attracted to a handsome land agent called Mr Dean.
But history could be about to repeat itself as Sister Clodagh's repressed memories of her past become entangled with the tragic life and death of Princess Srimati.
The trailer sees the words 'paradise', 'perversion' and 'sin' appear on screen as the nuns struggle with the "unusual things" that happen at the palace, while Sister Clodagh is also seen shaving her head and observing a man stripping off.
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Another moment sees two of the nuns have an explosive argument as Sister Clodagh battles temptation, while her voice chants the Lord's Prayer in the background.
The series marks one of the final appearances of Dame Diana Rigg, who passed away earlier this month aged 82.
The legendary actress plays Mother Dorothea while the cast also includes Jim Broadbent as Father Roberts and Gina McKee as Sister Adela.
The three-part series was adapted by Apple Tree Yard and The Trial of Christine Keeler writer Amanda Coe.
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Announcing the series back in 2017, Amanda said: "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."
It also stars Aisling Franciosi, Rosie Cavaliero, Patsy Ferran, Karen Bryson and Dipika Kunwar, while first-time director Charlotte Bruus Christensen is behind the camera.
Black Narcissus will air in the UK on BBC One in December, having premiered on FX in the US on Monday, November 23.
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