Sarah Paulson and Ryan Murphy Are Making a Nurse Ratched Origin Story And We Can’t Wait

God bless whoever put Ryan Murphy and Sarah Paulson in the same room together. The dynamic duo have created compelling television together ever since 2011’s first season of American Horror Story, and they have continued to make some of the most compelling television of the decade. Now, Murphy and Paulson are teaming up for a new Netflix series titled Ratched, an origin story of the infamous Nurse Ratched of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.

The series description reads, “Ratched is an origins story, beginning in 1947, which will follow Ratched’s (Paulson) journey and evolution from nurse to full-fledged monster. The series will track her murderous progression through the mental health care system.” Nurse Ratched first appeared in Ken Kesey’s seminal 1962 novel One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest as the main antagonist: a cruel and manipulative psychiatric nurse who tortured the men under her care.

While the book is considered a modern classic, it was Louise Fletcher’s performance as Nurse Ratched in the 1975 film that cemented the character as one of film’s greatest villains. Nurse Ratched ranked number five on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Heroes & Villains countdown, and Fletcher won a best actress Oscar for the role, in addition to a BAFTA award and a Golden Globe.

Paulson will be joined by an all-star cast including Sharon Stone, Cynthia Nixon, Finn Wittrock, Jon Jon Briones, Charlie Carver, Judy Davis, Harriet Harris, Hunter Parrish, Amanda Plummer, and Corey Stoll. Murphy announced the cast in an Instagram post:

With all the talent attached, Ratched is poised to be phenomenal showcase for everyone involved. And Netflix clearly has high hopes for the series, giving it a two season straight-to-series deal. I’m especially excited, as Murphy has a flair for complicated, put-upon women, and Sarah Paulson is never less than stellar.

What do you think of a Nurse Ratched origin story? Will you be tuning in?

(via Deadline, image: FX)

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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