Ratched is an American Horror Story spin-off starring Sarah Paulson as an early version of Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Many cast members from One Flew Over are expected to return including Cynthia Nixon, Finn Wittrock, Judy Davis, and Charlie Carver.
Nurse Ratched fled Mexico with Gwendolyn Briggs, her love interest. However, Edmund continued chasing them both down, leading them on an ever-deaderly chase which may result in fatal consequences.
| Character | Actor/Actress | Key Information |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Mildred Ratched | Sarah Paulson | Reprising her role as the main character in Season 2. |
| Edmund Tolleson | Finn Wittrock | Reprising his role as Nurse Ratched’s foster brother, potentially in a deadly clash. |
| Gwendolyn Briggs | Cynthia Nixon | Reprising her role as Nurse Ratched’s love interest. |
| Dr. Richard Hanover | Jon Jon Briones | Reprising his role as the hospital’s doctor. |
| Nurse Betsy Bucket | Judy Davis | Expected to return as Nurse Betsy Bucket. |
| Governor George Willburn | Vincent D’Onofrio | Reprising his role as the California Governor who funds unsettling experiments. |
| Huck Finnigan | Charlie Carver | Potentially returning for Season 2. |
| Lenore Osgood | Sophie Okonedo | Uncertain if she will return for Season 2. |
| Sharon Stone | Not mentioned | Uncertain if she will return. |
| Annie Starke | Not mentioned | Expected to be part of the returning cast. |
| Jermaine Williams | Not mentioned | Expected to be part of the returning cast. |
| Amanda Plummer | Amanda Plummer | Expected to return, possibly as a new character. |
| Season 2 Details | Various | No official word on when Season 2 will occur, and details of the storyline are uncertain. |
| Viewer Reception | Various | The show was well-received in its first season, with high ratings on Netflix. |
| Uncertainties | Various | Due to factors like strikes and character deaths in Season 1, the cast and production schedule are uncertain. |
Sarah Paulson
Since the release of Ryan Murphy-produced psychological thriller on September 18, 2020, viewers have eagerly been anticipating Season 2. Its success led to high critical praise and audiences across the world were left eagerly awaiting information about its second season – yet no word from producers has come yet on when that will occur.
Paulson will reprise her role of Nurse Ratched while Finn Wittrock will reprise his as Edmund Tolleson. Cynthia Nixon and Jon Jon Briones will reprise their roles of Gwendolyn Briggs and Dr. Richard Hanover respectively; other recurring cast members include Judy Davis as Nurse Betsy Bucket and Vincent D’Onofrio as Governor George Willburn.
Finn Wittrock
Ratched’s season one finale set the scene for a potentially lethal game between Nurse Mildred Ratched and her unstable foster brother Edmund Tolleson. If there is a second season, this clash may be explored more in-depth; Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon, Judy Davis and Charlie Carver should return as leads in that capacity.
Ryan Murphy and Evan Romansky’s prequel series revolves around Nurse Mildred Ratched as she begins working at Lucia State Hospital, an esteemed psychiatric institution. However, beneath her stylish exterior lurks an increasing darkness as well as Dr Hanover conducting unsettling experiments with human minds funded by California Governor George Wilburn (Vincent D’Onofrio). The first season concludes on a dramatic cliffhanger leaving its future uncertain for Nurse Mildred Ratched fans.
Cynthia Nixon
Sarah Paulson will reprise her role as Nurse Mildred Ratched while Finn Wittrock will play Edmund Tolleson for season two of Ratched. Other key cast members include Gwendolyn Briggs (Nurse Ratched’s love interest), Dr. Richard Hanover (Jon Jon Briones), Huck Finnigan (Charlie Carver), and Judy Davis (Nurse Betsy Bucket).
Season one characters may not survive; the finale was more Thelma and Louise than American Horror Story with Nurse Ratched and Briggs fleeing Lucia State together and leaving Nurse Bucket as Lucia State manager. Unfortunately, this leaves little space for new characters; though some patients could make appearances later.
Jon Jon Briones
Sarah Paulson recently told Variety that she wasn’t sure whether or not Ratched would return, but noted that its writers may have a plan in mind – if the show returns, many characters could die off in season 2.
Mildred was pitted against her mentally unhinged foster brother Edmund Tolleson (Jon Jon Briones). Tolleson tracked them both to Mexico where Mildred made it clear she wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Cynthia Nixon plays Gwendolyn Briggs; Finn Wittrock portrays Huck Finnigan; and Sophie Okonedo is in Lenore Osgood – it remains to be seen whether these actors will return for season 2. Due to the Writers Guild of America / Screen Actors Guild strike, however, production schedules for television shows cannot be reliably forecast.
Judy Davis
Following its successful premiere, it appears that Ratched will return for its second season. The first season aired on Netflix and attracted 48 million households – becoming the highest launch ratings show of 2020! Preapproved for two seasons by Netflix, most key cast members should return, including Sarah Paulson as Nurse Ratched; Finn Wittrock as Edmund Tolleson; Cynthia Nixon as Gwendolyn Briggs; Jon Jon Briones as Dr Richard Hanover and Judy Davis as Nurse Betsy Bucket.
Fans are anxiously anticipating how the story develops in Season 4. It is expected to focus on uncovering dark secrets and psychological manipulation as it sets up an inevitable confrontation between Nurse Ratched and her foster brother Edmund, played by Vincent D’Onofrio, Annie Starke, Jermaine Williams, and Amanda Plummer – returning actors.
Vincent D’Onofrio
After watching Ratched season one, fans have eagerly anticipated hearing news of its second installment; however, with the ongoing Writer’s Guild strike and other factors involved, it has proven difficult to predict when exactly it would return.
Sarah Paulson will reprise her role of Nurse Ratched while Finn Wittrock will reprise his role of Edmund Tolleson, and Cynthia Nixon will play Gwendolyn Briggs – while Judy Davis will take up her former position of Caregiver Betsy Bowl of Water.
However, it remains uncertain if Sharon Stone and Jon Jon Briones will return. Given that many characters died at the end of Season One, it’s possible they have moved onto other projects.
Amanda Plummer
Ratched is anticipated to bring back most, if not all of its main characters from its first installment in season two – such as Sarah Paulson as Nurse Mildred Ratched; Finn Wittrock as Edmund Tolleson; Cynthia Nixon as Gwendolyn Briggs; Jon Jon Briones as Dr Richard Hanover and Judy Davis as Nurse Betsy Bucket – from its inaugural run.
Conclusion
Mildred’s initial plan to kill Edmund with a grenade in Mexico failed when Edmund broke out of jail and pursued her instead.
Amanda Plummer has become one of the premier film and television actresses, appearing as a guest star on several popular shows such as Moonlighting, The Wire, and Battlestar Galactica as well as being part of Sex and the City remade cast.
