Netflix has put in an order for the series Ratched, a new One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest-inspired drama from Ryan Murphy, with Sarah Paulson set to star.
Variety has confirmed that the streaming service has ordered a full two seasons, for a total of 18 episodes. Murphy will executive produce, along with Michael Douglas, who produced the 1975 film. Paulson will also be on board as one of the producers, next to Paul Zaentz of the Saul Zaentz Company, which owns the rights to the movie.
Ratched will explore the origins of the infamous Nurse Ratched, to be played by Paulson, who was first introduced in the One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest novel by Ken Kesey in 1962 before horrifying movie-goers over a decade later. The film, which starred Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched and Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, won five Oscars, including Best Actress (Fletcher), Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Director (Milos Forman), Best Adapted Screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman), and Best Picture.
Beginning in 1947, the series will follow Ratched’s progression through the mental healthcare system, tracking her metamorphosis from normal nurse into monstrous authority figure.
This is not the first time Murphy and Paulson have paired together, of course. Paulson has become something of a muse for the producer, starring in every season of his anthology series American Horror Story, as well as American Crime Story: People v. OJ Simpson. Her work with Murphy has earned her five Emmy nominations, including one win.
The series comes from a newcomer writer, Evan Romansky, who wrote the script on spec, fresh out film school. Romansky will co-executive produce.
No premiere date has been set, but production is expected to begin sometime in mid-2018, with Murphy directing the opening episode (a trend he has adopted with all of his other series).
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