Wikipedia

The Nevers

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 81.96.245.175 (talk) at 18:35, 3 May 2021 (→Ratings). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Nevers is an American science fiction drama television series created by Joss Whedon for HBO. The series is produced by HBO and Mutant Enemy Productions with executive producers including Whedon, Philippa Goslett, Doug Petrie, Jane Espenson, Ilene S. Landress and Bernadette Caulfield. The series premiered on April 11, 2021. The first season will consist of 12 episodes, split into two six-episode parts.[1]

The Nevers
Official poster
Genre
Created byJoss Whedon
Starring
ComposerMark Isham
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
Production locationLondon
Running time54–64 minutes
Production companyMutant Enemy Productions
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseApril 11, 2021 (2021-04-11) –
present

Premise

The Nevers is described as "an epic science fiction drama about a gang of Victorian women and men who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world."[2]

Cast

Main

  • Laura Donnelly as Amalia True: One of The Touched, with the ability to see glimpses of the future. The most irresponsible, spontaneous, and psychologically broken hero of 19th-century London, and a danger to the British elite. She is dedicated to her cause and never turns down a drink.[3]
  • Ann Skelly as Penance Adair: Amalia's best friend, and a Touched with the power to 'see' electrical energy patterns and a skill for inventing. She is both religious and heretically progressive.[4][5]
  • Olivia Williams as Lavinia Bidlow: A rich spinster supporter of the "Touched" (aka metahumans), and patron of The Orphanage where many of the main characters live.[4][5]
  • James Norton as Hugo Swann: A pansexual aristocratic young man, who owns a private club and specializes in extortion.[4][5]
  • Tom Riley as Augustus "Augie" Bidlow: A kind geek, Lavinia's brother and secretly one of the Touched.[4][5]
  • Pip Torrens as Lord Massen: A former military man and strong supporter of the British Empire, and very skeptical regarding people with extraordinary powers.[4][5]
  • Denis O'Hare as Dr. Edmund Hague: A brutal American surgeon.[4][5]
  • Rochelle Neil as Annie Carbey, aka Bonfire: A criminal with the ability to generate balls of flame.[4][5]
  • Amy Manson as Maladie: An unstable member of The Touched living underground. Maladie is not only in charge of a band of renegades, she is on a killing spree.[4][5]
  • Zackary Momoh as Doctor Horatio Cousens: A West Indian physician. Amalia was there when he discovered his own power to heal. He collaborates with her, and the Beggar King.[4][5]
  • Eleanor Tomlinson as Mary Brighton: A failed singer who has a big surprise ahead of her.[4][5]
  • Nick Frost as Declan Orrun, aka The Beggar King: Charismatic and brutal, Declan is in command of London's low-level criminals. Sometimes he works with Amalia and her cause – and sometimes he is just as happy to sell them out.[4][5]
  • Elizabeth Berrington as Lucy Best: A woman from a dirt poor upbringing who can shatter whatever she touches.[6]
  • Viola Prettejohn as Myrtle Haplisch: A girl who uncontrollably speaks in multiple languages but not English.[6]
  • Anna Devlin as Primrose Chattoway: A sixteen-year-old girl who is ten feet tall.[6]
  • Kiran Sonia Sawar as Harriet Kaur[6]
  • Ben Chaplin as Inspector Frank Mundi: A large and gruff policeman with a strong sense of morals. He has a reputation for violence and heavy drinking.[4][5]
  • Ella Smith as Desirée Blodgett: A prostitute who causes others around her to pour out secrets when they are feeling strong emotions.[6]
  • Vinnie Heaven as Nimble Jack[6]

Recurring

Episodes

No.Title [7]Directed byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Joss WhedonJoss WhedonApril 11, 2021 (2021-04-11)0.548[8]
In 1899 London, Amalia True runs St. Romaulda's Orphanage, a sanctuary for people with extraordinary powers publicly known as the Touched. Amalia and Penance Adair rescue Myrtle, a Touched girl who speaks in fragments of different languages, from a band of thugs. Meanwhile, Lord Massen and other government officials discuss the Touched and their impact on the country. Augustus "Augie" Bidlow visits his friend Hugo Swann and requests his company at the opera. Hugo accepts the request after Augie agrees to visit his private club. At the orphanage, Amalia receives an invitation to the opera from Lavinia Bidlow, the patron of the orphanage. On their way to the opera, Amalia and Penance are intercepted by the Beggar King who is upset about Amalia's demand to meet him. However, Amalia remains calm against his intimidation. At the opera, the serial killer Maladie attacks and take Mary Brighton, a Touched whose singing can soothes fellow Touched, hostage. Amalia pursues them but fails to rescue Mary. Afterwards, Inspector Frank Mundi investigates the attack and reveals his connection to Hugo's private club. Elsewhere, Doctor Hague is seen medically tormenting a presumed Touched. A flashback to 1896 reveals a massive flying object passing through London while releasing glowing dust particles which attach themselves to several people who later become known as the Touched. Maladie is the only one who remembers the event, while Amalia's attempted suicide is aborted when she becomes a Touched.
2"Exposure"Joss WhedonJane EspensonApril 18, 2021 (2021-04-18)0.561[9]
Shop clerk Beth Cassini accidentally reveals her power in public and decides to go to a Touched sanctuary she sees in a flyer. Meanwhile, Inspector Mundi leads a raid on the orphanage but fails to find any evidence of Maladie's location. Lavinia then arrives to stop him and decides to invite several Touched to a social event at her estate to improve public perception of the Touched. Lord Massen warns Hugo Swann about his private club and its employment of several Touched people. Later on, the orphanage admits Desirée, a Touched woman with power that can compel people to reveal their secrets, which Amalia uses on Inspector Mundi who unknowingly reveals his connection to Mary Brighton. Beth arrives at the address on the flyer but it is not the location of the orphanage and she is taken by the same thugs who want Myrtle. At Lavinia's party, Penance and Augie find a common connection in their religious devotion and the latter reveals his power. Amalia discovers Maladie's location when she examines evidences in Inspector Mundi's office. On her way home, Penance is captured by Maladie's men while Beth is brought to Doctor Hague. Amalia arrives at Maladie's location, while Augie visits Hugo's private club and agrees to become an investor in the business. Amalia fights Maladie, and the latter reveals their past connection as friends. Scotland Yard raids the factory and rescues Penance and Mary, but Maladie manages to escape while Amalia is heavily wounded. Doctor Cousens heals Amalia and Mary reconnects with Inspector Mundi at the orphanage. At an underground cave, Doctor Hague greets his benefactor, Lavinia Bidlow, and shows her a massive glowing orb slowly being excavated by Touched people he has tortured.
3"Ignition"David SemelKevin LauApril 25, 2021 (2021-04-25)0.448[10]
Amalia and Penance intercept Annie Carbey's attempt to takeover one of the Beggar King's territories. Amalia tries to recruit her but fails. In the morning, Mary is seen to have assimilated with other members of the orphanage but her apprehension to use her power becomes a problem. Penance then reveals her plan to amplify Mary's power and thus allow every Touched in London to hear her song. The Beggar King is upset about the recent attack and demands information regarding Amalia's plan. At a pub, Inspector Mundi meets Hugo Swann, who helped him organize the orphanage's raid. Somewhere else, a captured member of Maladie's gang is released from prison. Amalia and Lucy visit the fake orphanage from the flyer that Penance and Myrtle discovered. Amalia takes several pieces of evidence from the fake orphanage to bring to Lavinia while Lucy takes the captured housekeeper back for interrogation. The interrogation of the fake orphanage's housekeeper bolsters Mary's resolve to use her power with Penance's amplifier. After leaving Lavinia's estate, Amalia is ambushed by the Beggar King's henchman Odium, a Touched with the power of hydrophobicity. Amalia defeats him and promptly goes to watch Mary's song being heard by every Touched across London. However, Mary is suddenly attacked by Maladie's gang member who was previously released from prison. Inspector Mundi kills him but Mary dies from the attack. When Amalia and the others return to the orphanage, Annie and several Touched who had heard Mary's song are seen waiting for them.
4"Undertaking"David SemelMadhuri ShekarMay 2, 2021 (2021-05-02)N/A
Everyone attend the funeral of Mary Brighton, except for Amalia who is involved in a fight at a pub. When she returns to the orphanage, Penance tries to comforts her but Amalia releases her frustration instead. In Penance's lab, Myrtle reveals to Primrose that she understood the message within Mary's song. Later on, Amalia, Penance, Lucy, Annie and Doctor Cousens discuss a list of suspects behind Mary's murder. Inspector Mundi confronts Hugo Swann following an evidence that connects him to Mary's murder, but the latter denies any involvement. While Penance checks on Augie Bidlow and Annie probes around the Beggar King's territory, Amalia visits Lord Massen to assess his involvement in Mary's murder. Afterwards, all of them return to the orphanage and find Lord Massen being the most likely suspect. Lucy then suggests they break into one of his warehouses and destroy his supply of ammunitions. Returning to his office, Inspector Mundi finds Maladie taking the superintendent hostage for all the murders, including Mary's, being framed as her deeds. When she escapes, Inspector Mundi manages to subdue her and he demands that she is given proper prosecution. At the orphanage, with Harriet's assistance, Primrose and Myrtle begin deciphering the message in Mary's song. Later that night, at Lord Massen's factory, Amalia confronts Lucy about her involvement with Lord Massen on Mary's murder. Lucy confesses and tries to escape, but Amalia is able to suppress her. Amalia decides to exile her from London rather than killing her and subsequently destroys Lord Massen's supply of ammunitions at another warehouse. Returning to the orphanage, Primrose, Myrtle and Harriet disclose their work to Amalia and Penance. It is revealed that Mary's song is a direct message of consolation and instruction from someone to Amalia.
5"Hanged"Joss WhedonMelissa IqbalMay 9, 2021 (2021-05-09)N/A
6"True"Zetna FuentesJane EspensonMay 16, 2021 (2021-05-16)N/A

Production

Development

On July 13, 2018, it was announced that HBO had given the production a straight-to-series order. Joss Whedon would serve as a writer, director, executive producer and showrunner for the series. The series landed at HBO after a bidding war with other networks and streaming services including Netflix.[2][11][12] The Nevers premiered on April 11, 2021[13] and is set to consist of 12 episodes, split into two equally-sized parts. Whedon explained the title at Comic-Con 2018:

They, themselves are not called that [The Nevers] in the show. It's a phrase that's meant to evoke a sort of reaction to their oddity, to what is considered unnatural. The idea that you should never be like this, you should never have existed. Something is not the way it should be, and you don't have the right to have whatever weird power or ability that you have. And that idea, that some people are not of the natural order, is fascinating to me. I don't agree with it. But to me, it's one of those things where you take something negative, and you wear it as a badge of honor, basically. Certain things could never happen - they're happening. And the people they're happening to are taking their place in the world.[14]

Crew

Executive producers include Bernadette Caulfield, Jane Espenson, and Doug Petrie. Espenson and Petrie, who worked with Whedon on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will also serve as writers.[15] Laurie Penny is also part of the series' writing staff.[16] Gemma Jackson serves as production designer.[17]

Filming

On July 4, 2019, Whedon announced that principal photography had started, with filming occurring in London.[15][18] In July 2019, it was reported that scenes had been filmed at Trinity Church Square,[19] and in the New Wimbledon Theatre area.[20] In August 2019, scenes were filmed at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent.[21] In late January 2020, shooting took place at Joyce Grove, an Oxfordshire country house estate in the Jacobean style. The building will double as The Orphanage.[22] Due to the lack of studio space in London, HBO worked with Adrian Wootton, CEO of Film London and the British Film Commission to find warehouse spaces and old industrial spaces they could base the production in.[23] The series completed production on five of its ten-episode order before production was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24] Filming resumed in September and production was completed by the end of October.[25]

In February 2021, HBO and HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys confirmed that the first season would consist of 10 episodes that would be broken in two airing blocks–due to production shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bloys stated, "And there was kind of a natural narrative break at six. So that was the thought then was to air six episodes. So at least we had something to put out there for subscribers and fans." Bloys also said that Goslett and her team of writers are working through the second batch of scripts now and "we'll get a better sense of timing" when those will air as "the weeks go on."[26] In March 2021, it was clarified that the first season was extended to 12 episodes, with the second part of the first season also consisting of 6 episodes.[1]

Whedon's departure

On November 25, 2020, Whedon announced that he was stepping down from the series citing various reasons for his decision in "this year of unprecedented challenges." In a statement released he explained that the taxing nature of working on such a project during the global coronavirus pandemic had taken a toll on his energy levels, as he confirmed that he would be officially exiting the series.[27] On January 28, 2021, British screenwriter Philippa Goslett was announced as the new showrunner.[28] In response to the accusations of workplace harassment against Whedon on his prior projects, Bloys stated that "we had no complaints or no reports of inappropriate behavior" regarding his work on The Nevers.[26] Nevertheless, Whedon's involvement was not acknowledged in the marketing of the series.[29][30]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 47% based on reviews from 43 critics, with an average rating of 5.81/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Despite strong performances and stellar production design, The Nevers struggles to stitch its slew of intriguing components into a solid show."[31] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 58 out of 100 based on 24 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[32]

In a positive review by Lorraine Ali from the Los Angeles Times, she wrote, "The Nevers is a joy to watch and a thrill to follow. Supernatural realism, complex storytelling, fantastical powers and topical realties meet in this smart, suspenseful and colorful production. A litany of nuanced characters keeps this otherworldly tale grounded. Suspenseful sleuthing and action-packed battles move the story along at a rapid clip. And all the lush scenery and ambitious wardrobe along the way".[33] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter gave it a more mixed review, writing that the series is "in desperate need of focus, and as episodes progress, more and more characters are added and the connection to the richest thematic throughline becomes increasingly tenuous". However, Fienberg praised Whedon's directing, as well as the production design and costumes.[34]

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of The Nevers
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Pilot" April 11, 2021 0.10 0.548[8] 0.07 0.365 0.17 0.913[35]
2 "Exposure" April 18, 2021 0.12 0.561[9] 0.08 0.528 0.20 1.089[36]
3 "Ignition" April 25, 2021 0.06 0.448[10] TBD TBD TBD TBD

References

  1. ^ a b "HBO Drama Series THE NEVERS Debuts April 11" (Press release). WarnerMedia. March 23, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "New Joss Whedon Sci-Fi Series Coming to HBO". HBO. July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 23, 2019). "'The Nevers': Laura Donnelly To Star In Joss Whedon's HBO Sci-Fi Drama Series". Deadline. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Petski, Denise (July 30, 2019). "'The Nevers': Joss Whedon's HBO Sci-Fi Drama Series Adds 12 To Cast". Deadline. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Hibberd, James (July 30, 2019). "Joss Whedon's HBO sci-fi drama The Nevers casts 12 actors". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Petski, Denise (August 15, 2019). "'The Nevers': Joss Whedon's HBO Sci-Fi Drama Series Adds 6 To Cast". Deadline. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  7. ^ "HBO Drama Series "The Nevers" Debuts April 11" (Press release). HBO. March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  8. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 13, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.11.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 20, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.18.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 27, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.25.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  11. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (July 13, 2018). "Joss Whedon Sci-Fi Drama Ordered Straight to Series at HBO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  12. ^ Holloway, Daniel (July 13, 2018). "HBO Lands Joss Whedon Sci-Fi Series 'The Nevers'". Variety. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  13. ^ Hibberd, James (February 10, 2021). "HBO boss breaks silence on Game of Thrones plans, Joss Whedon controversy, more". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  14. ^ Yehl, Joshua (July 21, 2018). "Joss Whedon Explains Title of His HBO Series, The Nevers - Comic-Con 2018". IGN. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  15. ^ a b Flook, Ray (July 4, 2019). ""The Nevers": Joss Whedon Signals Start on Upcoming HBO Sci-Fi Drama". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  16. ^ Johnston, Rich (July 12, 2019). "Talking to Laurie Penny About the Switch From British Politics to Hollywood". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  17. ^ Sherlock, Ben (May 25, 2019). "The Nevers: Everything We Know (So Far) About Joss Whedon's New HBO Series". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  18. ^ Maas, Jennifer; Maglio, Tony (April 15, 2019). "Jordan Peele's 'Lovecraft Country,' Joss Whedon's 'The Nevers' to Begin Filming This Summer". The Wrap. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  19. ^ "The Nevers: HBO films sci-fi drama in Trinity Church Square". London SE1. July 17, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  20. ^ Krause, Riley (July 24, 2019). "TV crews have set up shop in Wimbledon to film a new HBO show". Wimbledon Times. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  21. ^ Dixon, Rachel (August 2, 2019). "Stolen cockatoo was filming The Nevers produced by HBO when she was taken from Holiday Inn Rochester". Kent Online. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  22. ^ "Joyce Grove used as location for American TV series". Henley Standard. January 26, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  23. ^ Mueller, Matt (September 3, 2019). "The space race: what next for UK studios and inward investment?". Screen Daily. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  24. ^ Radish, Christina (June 22, 2020). "James Norton on the Timeliness of 'Mr. Jones' and Working with Joss Whedon on HBO's 'The Nevers'". Collider. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  25. ^ Bui, Hoai-Tran (October 22, 2020). "'The Nevers': Joss Whedon's New Show is "Complicated and Fresh," According to Star Nick Frost". /Film. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  26. ^ a b Maas, Jennifer; Baysinger, Tim (February 10, 2021). "HBO Received 'No Complaints' About Joss Whedon Before He Exited 'The Nevers,' Casey Bloys Says". TheWrap. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  27. ^ White, Peter (November 25, 2020). "Joss Whedon Exits HBO Sci-Fi Drama 'The Nevers'". Deadline. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  28. ^ Porter, Rick (January 28, 2021). "HBO's 'The Nevers' Finds Showrunner to Replace Joss Whedon". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  29. ^ Schaefer, Sandy (February 11, 2021). "Joss Whedon Scrubbed From The Nevers Marketing as Buffy Cast Speaks Out". CBR. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  30. ^ Goldberg, Leslie (February 10, 2021). "HBO and HBO Max Chief Details 'Game of Thrones' Expansion Plans". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  31. ^ "The Nevers (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  32. ^ "The Nevers: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  33. ^ Ali, Lorraine (April 4, 2021). "Review: 'The Nevers' is HBO's next great fantasy series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  34. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (April 5, 2021). "'The Nevers': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  35. ^ Berman, Marc (April 12, 2021). "Sunday Ratings: ABC and CBS Share Depressed Leadership". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  36. ^ Berman, Marc (April 19, 2021). "Sunday Ratings: 'The Academy of Country Music Awards' Leads CBS to Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Nevers&oldid=1021254096"