First Look at Netflix’s Ratched: Ryan Murphy and Sarah Paulson’s Ode to an Iconic Villain

For those who are missing a new season of American Horror Story due to the pandemic, Ryan Murphy is back with his muse, Sarah Paulson for a creepy new Netflix Thriller. Forty-five years after the theatrical release of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the character of Nurse Ratched remains one of the most intimidating and terrifying movie villains of all time. All Thanks to Louise Fletcher’s Oscar-winning performance.

So when Ryan Murphy stumbled upon a script by Evan Romansky imagining her origin story, the TV creator felt it was time to tell this iconic antagonist’s tale.

Stepping into the shoes of Nurse Ratched is none other than Murphy’s longtime collaborator and Emmy winner, Sarah Paulson. The project is said to be a prequel to “Cuckoo’s Nest,” that follows a young Mildred Ratched in her early days of psychiatric care.

The Official Ratched Synopsis By Netflix

“In 1947, Mildred arrives in Northern California to seek employment at a leading psychiatric hospital where new and unsettling experiments have begun on the human mind. On a clandestine mission, Mildred presents herself as the perfect image of what a dedicated nurse should be.

But the wheels are always turning and as she begins to infiltrate the mental health care system and those within it. Mildred’s stylish exterior belies a growing darkness that has long been smoldering within, revealing that true monsters are made, not born.” The streaming service also debuted Ratched’s first look images.

“Complicated, dark, not what I expected and totally terrifying”

Speaking about the project at the 2019 New Yorker Festival, Sarah explained that the show is “complicated and dark and not what I expected, and totally terrifying. It’s more psychological than murder-scary where somebody jumps out from behind you. It’s sort of a meditation on someone’s psychological strengths or weaknesses.”

Paulson’s roles in Murphy-backed productions such as “American Horror Story” and “American Crime Story” have garnered her a total of seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations dating back to 2013. So, It’s safe to say, the expectations are sky high. Ratched is Murphy’s latest Netflix project following “The Politician” and “Hollywood.” The latter of which picked up 12 Emmy nominations this week. Sarah also revealed that Ryan Murphy pitched her the role by saying, “Lady, do you want to have some like Walter White shit happen?”

The Impressive Star Cast and Executive Producers

The origin story, created by Evan Romansky, boasts an impressive cast led by Murphy’s AHS darling Sarah Paulson. It also stars Sharon Stone, Cynthia Nixon, Finn Wittrock, Jon Jon Briones, Charlie Carver, Judy Davis. As well as, Harriet Harris, Hunter Parrish, Amanda Plummer, Corey Stoll, Sophie Okonedo and Vincent D’Onofrio.

Douglas executive produces the series alongside Murphy, Brennan, Paulson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Aleen Keshishian, Jacob Epstein, Jennifer Salt, Margaret Riley, Robert Mitas and Tim Minear. Netflix will release all episodes of “Ratched” on September 18.

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