Ratched on Netflix: How many episodes are there and what is dark psych hospital drama based on?

THE long-awaited American Horror Story creator’s new thriller series Ratched has finally launched.

Ryan Murphy's new Netflix series stars Sarah Paulson playing the iconic sadistic asylum nurse.

• The best series on Netflix
• The best movies on Netflix
• New on Netflix: What to watch this week

4

When is Ratched released on Netflix?

Ratched launched on Netflix on Friday, September 18.

The series was inspired by the iconic and unforgettable character of Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

The series will be a prequel to the classic novel and is directed by Ryan Murphy.

4

What is Ratched about?

Mildred Ratched is known as an evil tyrant, and is the 'caregiver' who has Randle McMurphy lobotomized in 1975’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

The synopsis reads: "The wheels are always turning and as she begins to infiltrate the mental health care system and those within it, Mildred's stylish exterior belies a growing darkness that has long been smoldering within, revealing that true monsters are made, not born."

The series is set in 1947, and will tell Ratched's origin story.

It will follow her as she starts work at a psychiatric hospital in California that is experimenting on its residents.

4

On a clandestine mission, Mildred presents herself as the perfect image of what a dedicated nurse should be.

But the wheels are always turning and as she begins to infiltrate the mental health care system and those within it, Mildred’s stylish exterior belies a growing darkness that has long been smoldering within, revealing that true monsters are made, not born.

How many episodes are there?

The series has eight-episodes.

4

MORE ON NETFLIX

MOVIE ICON

80s bombshell unrecognisable 42 years after bedding Tom Cruise - guess who?

BIZARRE CLAIMS

Meghan sparks wild conspiracy theories that bump is FAKE after cringe video

'thought I would die'

Hollywood star lost FOUR STONE for boxer role leaving fiancee shocked

ARMY CON

Actor from Netflix's The Crown is FRAUDSTER who lied about being military hero

It stars Sarah Paulson - who has collaborated with Murphy on a number of occasions in American Horror Story - former Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon plays Gwendolyn Briggs.

The cast also includes Judy Davis as Nurse Betsy Bucket, Sharon Stone as Lenore Osgood, Jon Jon Briones as Dr. Richard Hanover, Finn Wittrock as Edmund Tolleson and Charlie Carver as Huck.

Sarah also acts as an executive producer alongside Murphy, Ian Brennan and a number of others.