Christopher Eccleston Is a Charismatic Cult Leader in 'Unchosen'
Previously titled 'Out of the Dust,' the newly rechristened 'Unchosen' is a psychological thriller set in a conservative religious sect. (Cult. It's a cult.)
As a society, we're generally fascinated by cults. Is it because we like to think we'd be immune to their siren calls of belonging and connection? That we'd see through their manipulation? Maybe; maybe not. But that definitely doesn't stop us from tuning in to the positive plethora of cult and cult-adjacent programming that seems to be everywhere these days. Netflix is no doubt counting on that fascination to boost interest in its forthcoming drama, Unchosen.
Previously titled Out of the Dust, the newly rechristened Unchosen is a psychological thriller set in a conservative religious sect. (Cult. It's a cult.) It follows the story of a dutiful wife and mother who begins to question her place in the group after a mysterious and potentially dangerous stranger arrives and opens her eyes to the constraints she's been living under. (Both sexually and otherwise.)
Molly Windsor (Traces) stars as Rosie, opposite former Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) as Mr. Phillips, the charismatic leader of the group. Eccleston, of course, already has some experience playing religious leaders, but this character certainly seems a far cry from his role as Matt Jamison on HBO's The Leftovers.
"We are blessed to live our lives within this community, where love binds us, and our families flourish, where our women nurture, and our men provide, safe from the temptations of the world outside and from the evil that lies within,” Eccleston's voice intones in the teaser. But from the looks of things in the clip, plenty of evil already exists in this supposedly safe community.
Here's the series' synopsis.
“Rosie lives with her husband Adam and daughter in a cloistered Christian sect. The fateful arrival of escaped prisoner Sam into her life, reveals the reality and restraints of her world; perhaps this hidden religious community doesn’t have her best interests at heart. And, as the cracks begin to appear in her marriage, Sam presents as her saviour. But with his dark criminal past, where does the greatest danger lie – with the cult or with Sam?”
Alongside Windsor and Eccleston, the six-part series also stars Asa Butterfield (Sex Education) as Molly's husband, Adam, Fra Fee (Prime Target) as escaped convict Sam, and Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley) as Mrs. Phillips.
Julie Gearey (Secret Diary of a Call Girl) created and wrote the show, with Phillipa Langdale (The Capture) and Jim Loach (Criminal Record) directing. Executive producers include Geary, Iona Vrolyk, and Myar Craig-Brown. Nick Pitt is a series producer.
Unchosen does not yet have an official premiere date. It is currently slated to arrive in the latter half of 2026.
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