The Gemma Arterton-led drama will debut in December…

We’ve now been granted a first look at the Beeb’s upcoming adaptation of Rumer Godden’s classic novel, Black Narcissus. The series takes place in the Himalayas in 1934, and stars Gemma Arterton, Alessandro Nivola, Aisling Franciosi, Diana Rigg and Jim Broadbent.

“A remote clifftop palace once known as the ‘House of Women’ holds many dark secrets. When the young nuns of St. Faith attempt to establish a mission there, its haunting mysteries awaken forbidden desires that seem destined to repeat a terrible tragedy. During the latter years of British rule in India, ambitious young nun Sister Clodagh heads a mission to a remote part of the Himalayas.

“The palace of Mopu has been donated by General Toda Rai, who hopes the Sisters of St. Faith will rid the ‘House of Women’ of unhappy memories connected to his late sister, Srimati. Although Clodagh ignores the warnings of the General’s raffish agent Mr. Dean, isolation and illness soon take their toll, with the haunting atmosphere of the palace particularly affecting volatile Sister Ruth. As past and present collide, the arrival of the young General Dilip Rai is the catalyst for an explosion of repressed desires that may end in a fatal confrontation.”

Take a look…

Alongside Arterton, Black Narcissus stars Rosie Cavaliero, Karen Bryson, Patsy Ferran, Nila Aalia, Kulvinder Ghir, Chaneil Kular, Dipika Kunwar and Gina McKee, and will get underway on BBC One in December.