HBO’s The Nevers centers around a group known as the Touched, each of whom possesses extraordinary powers, known as turns. The sci-series has made headlines due to the involvement of Joss Whedon, who created the show and directed some of its episodes. The creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been the subject of controversy and fierce criticism after Buffy stars accused Whedon of bullying and toxic behavior. Even though he exited The Nevers midway through the production of season 1, with Philippa Goslett taking over as showrunner for the second half of the season, many are understandably grappling with how to approach Whedon’s work.
Still, looking beyond the real-life controversies surrounding The Nevers, the series has an intriguing hook. The story takes place during the last years of Queen Victoria’s reign, with London experiencing the appearance of the ‘Touched’ people. Largely comprised of women, the Touched are notable for the strange abilities they suddenly manifest. Their emergence proves to be divisive; certain individuals with a progressive bent, like the wealthy Lavinia Bidlow (Olivia Williams, Dollhouse) champions the Touched and creates an orphanage for them. Others see the group as a threat to be dealt with.
The strange powers of the Touched, referred to as ‘turns’, vary. It’s revealed, at the end of The Nevers’ debut episode, that these turns may have been granted by a strange ship that flies over London on an otherwise uneventful Monday. The ship appears to release sparkling lights that affect only the Touched, fundamentally changing them, while others simply returned to their day once the ship passed. Here’s what we know so far about the turns, and which characters have them.
Amalia True
Amalia (Outlander’s Laura Donnelly) is a Touched woman whose turn allows her to see glimpses of the future. She refers to these glimpses as ripplings, which show her brief and vague snapshots of what will occur at a later point. The way the turn functions, in practice, is that Amalia feels a sudden jolt that leaves her momentarily unsettled. In the premiere episode, Amalia also demonstrates exceptional fighting skills. As a character, she’s fearlessly protective of the Touched but also somewhat emotionally guarded.
Penance Adair
Penance (Ann Skelly of Vikings) is an inventor. Her turn grants her the ability to see energy. As described in the show, the power functions similarly to electricity. Penance can see how energy moves, which helps with her inventions. She uses these inventions, at points, to aid Amalia. Other inventions, such as automated vehicles, are for more practical use and for bargaining. Penance is Amalia’s closest friend, and one of the first women to join her cause.
Maladie
Maladie (Torchwood’s Amy Manson) derives her power from pain. She’s a serial killer on the loose who has gained notoriety for killing five psychoanalysts. At the end of the premiere, it’s revealed that Maladie got her turn just as she was being committed to an institution against her will. Maladie’s turn manifests in the way that her eyes change color.
Mary Brighton
Mary (Love Wedding Repeat star Eleanor Tomlinson) is a singer. This talent comes in handy during a crucial scene in the premiere episode, as Mary temporarily stops Maladie’s rampage at the theater by singing a song that only affects the Touched. The song temporarily distracts Maladie, appearing to soothe her, but Mary is eventually kidnapped by Maladie. The character also attracts the attention of Amalia, who believes Mary’s turn is the key to bringing all of the Touched together.
Annie “Bonfire” Carbey
Annie (Guilt’s Rochelle Neil) is distinguished by a turn that allows her to create and manipulate fire. Annie makes her first appearance in The Nevers alongside Maladie, acting as a bodyguard. Her powers prove useful as it prevents Amalia from catching up with Maladie. Unlike her associate, Annie appears much calmer and more relaxed about her abilities.
Horatio Cousens
Horatio (Doctor Sleep star Zackary Momoh) is a physician. His turn grants him healing abilities. Though he was one of the few successful West Indian physicians in London, married with a young son, Horatio’s fortunes changed when he met Amalia and discovered his own powers. When it’s pointed to him that he could be working for the Royals, rather than healing the Touched, he wryly replies that his powers would only get him labeled as a voodoo witch doctor.
Myrtle Haplisch
Though she understands the English language, Myrtle (The Witcher’s Viola Prettejohn) has a turn that makes her speak only in foreign languages which she’d have no way of being able to learn. At the beginning of The Nevers, Myrtle is rescued by Amalia and Penance. The character seems thrilled to be living amongst other Touched people, and away from a family that literally can’t understand her.
Primrose Chattoway
Primrose (Anna Devlin, All the Money in the World) is a 16-year-old girl, though her turn causes her to measure up to ten feet tall. It’s implied that Primrose has been abandoned by her family and left to stay with the Touched at the orphanage. Her spirits improve when she meets Myrtle, who is similar to her in age.
Augustus Bidlow
Augustus (Da Vinci’s Demons star Tom Riley) is the younger brother of Lavinia. Although he is clearly unnerved by the Touched, Augustus is revealed to be one of them at the end of The Nevers’ premiere episode. It is so far unclear what his turn is.
Lucy Best
Lucy (Elizabeth Berrington, Midsummer Murders) is granted a turn, which allows her to break objects by touching them. The character is attentive to Primrose, though the two appear to have a contentious relationship. She’s described as relying on her wit and positive spirits to conceal her tragic past.
Desirée Blodgett
Desirée (Ella Smith, Hoff the Record). Her turn compels others to reveal their secrets in her presence, which is both useful and dangerous since what she’s heard from powerful men could get her killed. She’s devoted to her six-year-old son that, conversely, never speaks.
Harriet Kaur
Harriet (Black Mirror’s Kiran Sonia Sawar) is an aspiring lawyer. Her turn gifts her the ability to transform objects into glass. A young Scottish Sikh, Harriet is fortunate enough to be accepted by her family though she lives with the Touched. The character is described as being optimistic, albeit not naïve, and determined to go about her life the way that she planned it.
Nicolas Perbal
Nicolas (Martyn Ford, Kingsman: The Golden Circle) is the quintessential henchman, granted a turn that leaves him with an unpleasant odor. In the premiere episode of The Nevers, he’s seen working for Nick Frost’s Beggar King although he’s not picky about who he does business with.
