How the magic happens

Ann Skelly and Laura Donnelly both cast a spell in new series The Nevers, writes siobhan duck

HE’S been accused of abusive behaviour on the sets of both Justice League and his Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, but Joss Whedon’s most recent leading ladies have only positive things to say about the controversial director.

Irish actors Laura Donnelly and Ann Skelly star in Whedon’s supernatural period drama The Nevers. Set in Victorian London, The Nevers follows a gang of women gifted (and cursed) with powers that make them outcasts.

Donnelly plays Amalia True, a quick-fisted widow who can see the future, while Skelly plays Penance Adair, an inventor with unique electrical abilities.

Whedon was the creative force behind The Nevers as writer, director and executive producer, until handing over to Philippa Goslett last year.

Whedon blamed his exit on the global pandemic, saying he wasn’t up to the physical challenges of steering the show through the ongoing crises.

But his departure followed actor Ray Fisher’s allegations that Whedon had displayed “gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable” behaviour while reshooting Justice League.

This sentiment was then reinforced by Buffy star Charisma Carpenter, who claimed Whedon had a habit of being “casually cruel” and creating a “toxic” work environment.

That, however, was not the experience of Skelly, who says The Nevers set was “joyful”.

“I really enjoyed working with him,” Skelly says of Whedon.

“But now we’ve got Philippa, so we are moving on and hopefully continuing on with the same positivity on set.”

With the raunchy wit of Bridgerton and the magical adventure of the X-Men franchise, Donnelly believes The Nevers will appeal to a wide audience. Although it’s a show about people with supernatural abilities, she says it is, at heart, a human story.

“We are lucky as well because this isn’t based on a pre-established world,” Donnelly says.

“Whenever things are based on novels or comics fans can already feel such a sense of ownership [over characters],” she says.

“But in our case, we’re presenting something new, so hopefully people are just open to receiving it for what it is. And if they love it, I’m thrilled about that.”

Although both women have done period dramas before – Skelly in Little Women and Donnelly in Outlander – neither has done anything like The Nevers.

Certainly, there aren’t many period dramas requiring the leading ladies to fight and swagger like characters in a Guy Ritchie movie.

Donnelly relished being part of a show with so many strong female characters because they are few and far between.

“I would say it’s so rare that I’ve probably never seen it before, certainly not in any script that’s come my way anyway,” she laughs.

tHe nevers

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