Calling all Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Period drama lovers for the introduction of HBO’s newest drama, The Nevers. When I saw the first trailer many weeks ago, I got excited right away: a group of badass Victorian women with superpowers and incredible abilities, fighting a bunch of enemies? I was 100% in. But, even though I was loving this poetic, supernatural and gloomy atmosphere that emanated from this teaser, I was a bit confused about what The Nevers was really about. Let’s take a closer look at the what, who, why, and get you ready for the premiere of Part 1, April 11th on HBO.
First, let’s take a look BEHIND THE SCENES, shall we?
The Nevers comes with a bit of tumultuous background. The show was created by Joss Whedon ( Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Avengers). Joss Whedon stepped down from the production, as announced by HBO in a statement back in November 2020, in the wake of misconduct allegations made by Justice League’s actor Ray Fisher against Whedon, and lately followed by Charisma Carpenter, aka Cordelia Chase in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The creator had also released a statement of his own. He declared “This year of unprecedented challenges has impacted my life and perspective in ways I could never have imagined, and while developing and producing ‘The Nevers’ has been a joyful experience, I realize that the level of commitment required moving forward, combined with the physical challenges of making such a huge show during a global pandemic, is more than I can handle without the work beginning to suffer. He also stated: ‘’I am genuinely exhausted and am stepping back to martial my energy towards my own life, which is also at the brink of exciting change (…) I am deeply proud of the work we have done; I’m grateful to all my extraordinary cast and collaborators, and to HBO for the opportunity to shape yet another strange world.”
In January, HBO announced that the new showrunner of The Nevers had been named, British writer and producer Philippa Goslett (Little Ashes, How to Talk to Girls at Parties).
Now, WHAT exactly is The Nevers about? The official plot reads: ‘’August, 1896. Victorian London is rocked to its foundations by a supernatural event which gives certain people – mostly women – abnormal abilities, from the wondrous to the disturbing. But no matter their particular “turns,” all who belong to this new underclass are in grave danger. It falls to mysterious, quick-fisted widow Amalia True (Laura Donnelly) and brilliant young inventor Penance Adair (Ann Skelly) to protect and shelter these gifted “orphans.” To do so, they will have to face the brutal forces determined to annihilate their kind.’’
WHO is in The Nevers?
If like me, you’re a period drama addict, you will probably recognize the lead actress who portrays Amalia True, Laura Donnely (Outlander, Tolkien) but also Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark), James Norton (Little Women, War and Peace, Mr. Jones), Pip Torrens (The Crown, Poldark). Ben Chaplin (The Dig, Cinderella), Amy Manson (Once Upon a Time), Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Paul), Denis O’Hare ( American Horror Story) and Olivia Williams (The Ghost Writer, Peter Pan) are also part of this incredibly huge cast.
Part 1 of The Nevers includes 6 episodes. HBO stated that ‘’Season 1 Part Two’s six episodes will follow at a later date, to be announced.’’
Will you be watching The Nevers on HBO? Let us know in the comments!
