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The Nevers actress Amy Manson says series could continue for five more years

Photo credit: HBO Max
Photo credit: HBO Max

It looks as though we could be treated to more of the mystical and enigmatic world of 'the Touched' in The Nevers after season 1 concludes, as star Amy Manson has said "

The Spencer actress plays Maladie in the Sky Atlantic series, co-starring Poldark's Eleanor Tomlinson, Happy Valley's James Norton and The Crown's Olivia Williams, which follows a group of Victorian women inflicted with idiosyncratic supernatural powers after an unexplained celestial event, which they call turns.

But instead of elevating their status above the ruling men who subjugate them, their newfound powers have marginalised these women further, as the patriarchy fear they could use them to challenge their authority.

Photo credit: HBO Max
Photo credit: HBO Max

This new underclass is pioneered by the formidable Amalia True (Laura Donnelly) and her faithful sidekick Penance Adair (Ann Skelly), who create a safe haven for the women where they can unite and utilise their powers in peace.

Maladie, whose turn remains unexplained at the start of the series, is feared as a female Jack the Ripper, whose eyes burn orange when she's carrying out immoral acts. Manson says we'll discover more about why she seems to derive power from pain, and why she's hellbent on seeking revenge against Amalia.

The Once Upon a Time star told Good Housekeeping UK: "There's enough material to warrant the five years, and there's lots of stories and characters intertwining that you wouldn't have thought would have storylines together.

"I want everyone to watch up to episode six because then everything gets explained and then it ends, and you're like, 'oh my god cliffhanger!' and you have to wait until the next six, but it's a really good split point to finish on... Everything will be explained and it will be revelation after revelation."

Photo credit: HBO Max
Photo credit: HBO Max

Season 1 consists of 12 episodes which have been split into two six-episode parts, as filming was disrupted due to the pandemic. Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon was The Nevers show-runner, but he has since stepped down after controversy in November last year.

Manson explained that there's more to Maladie than being 'bad' or 'evil', and that her traumatic backstory will be explored in future episodes.

"People say [my character] Maladie is a lunatic, but this society of men has made her become who she is," she continued. "They have turned her into villainess anarchist and I think she has every reason to be seeking revenge the way she is, and enjoying it.

"I envisioned what she went through in the past as being really dark, and that's what has given her resilience.. But then her mental situation is definitely not stable. Or is it? She definitely has PTSD and hyper mania -she's always on and I don't imagine her sleeping.

Photo credit: HBO
Photo credit: HBO

"You'll learn - you'll learn soon... within the first six episodes why she is the way she is, and why her behaviours are the way they are, and it is a massive revelation, and I remember reading the script and going, 'on my god, this is a game changer'..."

Manson will also be starring as Anne Boleyn in the upcoming Princess Diana biopic Spencer starring Kristen Stewart.

The Nevers (episodes 1 -6) airs on May 17 on Sky Atlantic or NOW TV. Episodes 7-12 will be aired at a later date.


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