Gemma Arterton sets pulses racing with steamy love scenes in BBC drama Black Narcissus

Gemma Arterton set pulses racing in her new role in the BBC’s Black Narcissus where she plays a nun who struggles with her attractions to a World War I veteran. 

The actress, 34, gave into temptation on Sunday night’s episode as viewers saw her character Sister Clodagh having steamy flashbacks to her life before she was a nun. 

The TV star was hailed by one viewer as ‘the sexiest looking nun’ they had ever seen as she became caught in the throes of passion during the episode.

In the series, Sister Clodagh’s order moves to a school on a mountain in Nepal where the hunky handyman Mr Dean (Alessandro Nivola) catches her eye. 

Viewers quickly took to social media to react to the steamy scenes with one writing: ‘Gemma Arterton is so beautiful she even looks beautiful wearing a nun’s habit’.

Another said: ‘Gemma Arterton. Sexiest looking nun I’ve ever seen,’ while another joked: ‘As if any nuns look like Gemma Arterton’.

One viewer also said: ‘Not sure what I think about Black Narcissus yet, but how good is Gemma Arterton!’ 

Role: The actress, 34, gave into temptation on Sunday night’s episode as viewers saw her character Sister Clodagh having steamy flashbacks to her life before she was a nun

Steamy: The TV star was hailed by one viewer as ‘the sexiest looking nun’ they had ever seen as she became caught in the throes of passion during the episode

Black Narcissus is based on the 1939 novel of the same name and is also a remake of the 1947 film.

The series, which also stars Irish actress Aisling Franciosi as Sister Ruth, deals with themes of sin, temptation, jealousy and mental instability.

While Sister Clodagh tries to remain focused on setting up her hospital and school, the four nuns are all faced with their demons while staying at the new convent.

Mr Dean becomes a subject of desire for the nuns, especially Sister Ruth, who hopes to seduce him and grows jealous of Clodagh.

Plot: In the series, Sister Clodagh’s order moves to a school on a mountain in Nepal where the hunky handyman Mr Dean (Alessandro Nivola) catches her eye

Reaction: Viewers quickly took to social media to react to the steamy scenes with one writing: ‘Gemma Arterton is so beautiful she even looks beautiful wearing a nun’s habit’

The remake is penned by Amanda Coe, who recently worked on another hit show, The Trial of Christine Keeler, and directed by Danish cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen.

The late Dame Diana Rigg, who passed on September 10, makes an appearance as Mother Dorothea, who tries to convince Clodagh that the palace would be too big an undertaking.  

The original film, directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, won two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction, as well as a Golden Globe Award for Best Cinematography. 

Speaking about the series to the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine, Gemma said: ‘It’s not just about religion, but who you are as a person.

‘When you become a nun you have to rid yourself of your past and re-create yourself. But this is about these nuns reconnecting with their true selves.

Show: Black Narcissus is based on the 1939 novel of the same name and the 1947 film and also stars Irish actress Aisling Franciosi as Sister Ruth

‘Clodagh struggles against her true self. She’s this wild, impulsive, romantic rebel, but that got her into trouble so she became a nun.

‘At the palace her true self reawakens and she starts to question what she’s done.

‘A rule of the order is that they aren’t allowed to look at things unless they need to, but they’re in a beautiful place and can’t help but look. Then the real Clodagh starts coming through.’

Themes: The series deals with themes of sin, temptation, jealousy and mental instability