Ryan Murphy has announced the cast of Ratched, his prequel series to the 1975 Oscar-winning film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo, made for Netflix.
The origin story begins in 1947 and follows Ratched’s journey and evolution from a regular nurse to monster. It will focus on her progression through the mental health care system.
Read our review of the 1975 Oscar-winner One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The drama, which will begin production in the spring, stars Sarah Paulson as the young Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher played the mature, monstrous Ratched in the 1975 movie).
The project, from Fox 21 TV Studios, was picked up with two-seasons and 18-episodes.
Joining Paulson in the cast are: Jon Jon Briones (Sons of Anarchy), Charlie Carver (The Leftovers), Judy Davis (Feud), Harriet Harris, Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City), Hunter Parrish (Weeds), Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction), Corey Stoll (The Strain), Sharon Stone and Finn Wittrock (American Horror Story).
Murphy will direct the pilot of Ratched, which is his first series for a streaming outlet.
Murphy described the cast as “true murderers’ row of talent” on his Instagram Feed: “So many of these actors are supremely talented folks who Sarah and I have both longed to work with, Cynthia, Judy, Amanda and Sharon, all doing scenes together? I cannot wait.”
Paulson, Emmy winner and frequent Murphy star, will produce the series, and Oscar winner Michael Douglas, who produced the 1975 film adaptation, is exec producer.
Evan Romansky penned the spec script, which was given to Murphy via his agent at CAA. Murphy spent a long time securing rights to the character and the participation of producer Saul Zaentz’s estate.
Murphy, Douglas, Aleen Keshishian, Margaret Riley and Lighthouse Management Media’s Jacob Epstein will exec-produce; Romansky is credited as a co-exec producer. Paulson will produce alongside Saul Zaentz Co.’s Paul Zaentz, which owns the rights to the Oscar-winning film.
