Is The Nevers based on a book? The new sci-fi drama, which begins streaming on HBO Max on April 11, was created by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), who also wrote the pilot and directed three episodes. A slew of popular TV series based on books, graphic novels, and comics have been adapted for the small screen, and HBO has successfully parlayed the works of George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones), Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies), Tom Perrotta (The Leftovers), and Matt Ruff (Lovecraft Country) into hit shows. Working with source material that already has an established fanbase can almost guarantee viewers, giving adaptations an edge over the competition.
The Nevers, set in Victorian London, chronicles the adventures of a group of largely female X-Men-like misfits known as "the Touched." A strange, unexplained supernatural occurrence in 1896 infuses societal outcasts with an assortment of special abilities. Amalia True (played by Outlander's Laura Donnelly) runs an orphanage for some of these misfits, providing them a sanctuary from those who wish to do them harm. On a larger scale, The Nevers explores how the Touched threaten the status quo, striking fear into the hearts of those who usually yield power and use it to oppress others. The Nevers features a sprawling ensemble cast including Olivia Williams (Miss Austen Regrets), James Norton (Little Women), Tom Riley (Da Vinci's Demons), Ann Skelly (Vikings), Ben Chaplin (The Dig), Pip Torrens (The Crown), Zackary Momoh (Doctor Sleep), Amy Manson (Torchwood), Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead), Rochelle Neil (Episodes), Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark), and Denis O’Hare (American Horror Story).
Although The Nevers has all the components of an epic fantasy book saga or a subversive comic book series, it is solely Whedon's brainchild. After The Nevers received a straight-to-series order, Whedon expressed his enthusiasm about the project (via Deadline):
“I honestly couldn’t be more excited. The Nevers is maybe the most ambitious narrative I’ve created, and I can’t imagine a better home for it than HBO. Not only are they the masters of cinematic long-form, but their instant understanding of my odd, intimate epic was as emotional as it was incisive. It’s been too long since I created an entirely new fictional world, and the HBO team offer not just scope and experience, not just ‘prestige,’ but a passionate collaboration. I could go on, but – I’m impatiently grateful to say – I have work to do.”
When the news broke, Whedon was poised to act as showrunner, executive producer, and a writer for the show, but he abruptly exited what he called his " true labor of love" in November 2020. He cited exhaustion as the reason for his departure, but it came amidst allegations against Whedon of abusive behavior and misconduct on the set of Justice League and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The Nevers was poised to be Whedon's triumphant return to the small screen: the first series he would have helmed since Dollhouse (2009-2010). For nearly a decade, Whedon's focus has been on feature films, including writing and directing The Avengers and The Avengers: Age of Ultron. In addition to revising the screenplay for Justice League, he also took over directing duties when Zack Snyder left the project for personal reasons.
All of the controversy surrounding Joss Whedon has cast a pall over The Nevers, and despite HBO hiring Philippa Goslett as the new showrunner, the series can't escape its creator's shadow. HBO is releasing The Nevers in two parts, each comprised of six episodes (HBO hasn't revealed a premiere date for Part Two), and while Whedon's influence could largely wane as the show moves forward, criticism of The Nevers is heavily steeped in Whedon's involvement. Whether or not Goslett will put her own stamp on the series and make it her own will be revealed when Part Two is released.