Primrose Chattoway

**Primrose Chattoway** was a Touched girl whose turn made her measure ten feet tall. A resident of the St. Romaulda's Orphanage, she quickly befriended the newcomer Myrtle Haplisch.

## Biography

Primrose learns from Lucy that Amalia and Penance have deployed the auto-carriage, but she is indifferent to the news, as her mom told her that motor cars are common and a blight. Lucy makes an unwarranted remark about Primrose's absentee mother, so Primrose replies that Lucy wouldn't know anything about being a mother. Harriet Kaur says that Primrose didn't mean to say that. Amalia and Penance then return to the Orphanage with Myrtle Haplisch, who Penance introduces to Primrose, who is eager to make friends with someone of her age. She asks that Primrose take Myrtle to get a cup of tea.

Two days later, Amalia and Penance discuss which girls will accompany Penance to Lavinia Bidlow's party in hopes of altering public perception of the Touched. Primrose never goes out, as she's shy about her stature, which is why Myrtle will be joining them, as she calms her. Primrose, Myrtle, Penance, Lucy, and Harriet then attend the party at the Bidlow Estate. Lavinia instructs them to mingle without putting themselves forward, reminding the girls that the mission is to amuse, not alarm the guests. She also requests the group to wear a blue ribbon to identify them. During the party, Primrose poses for pictures with the guests standing by the stairs. She says that her parents are in Zurich for the season, as her father is often called away for his work.

In Clandlemas Park, Primrose watches as the other Touched prepare to use the brightener to amplify Mary Brighton's song through the city. Mary sings her song only the Touched can hear and Primrose gasps when Winemar Kroos shoots Mary, killing her.

After attending Mary's funeral, Primrose finds Myrtle crying in Penance's workshop while sketching pictures. Myrtle attempts to explain herself with the illustrations, but the language barrier proves a difficult obstacle to overcome. Eventually, Primrose deciphers that when Mary sang, Myrtle heard a hidden message within the song. Myrtle then jumps into Primrose's arms with excitement. Primrose, Harriet, and Aneel gather all the foreign-speaking of the Orphanage in hopes that together they will be able to translate for Myrtle. At night, they reveal their complete translation to Penance and Amalia, which Primrose was able to help with the French. They realize those weren't Mary's words, but someone else talking through her in a message to Amalia.

in the Orphanage courtyard, Primrose listens as Désirée Blodgett reads Effie Boyle's article regarding Maladie's forthcoming execution. Later, Amalia and Penance explain to the others how they've reached a crossroads. Amalia is leaving to find the Galanthi, while Penance intends to rescue Maladie. Rather than picking a side, Primrose urges them both against doing anything and says that she loves them.

## Behind the scenes

* She is portrayed by Anna Devlin.
* Her official description introduced: "All 16-year-old Primrose wants is to be a proper, ordinary girl, and not take up too much space. Which, at ten feet tall, is hard. Most everything is either dreamy, unfair, or too embarrassing to live through."
* Primrose represents The Hermit in *The Nevers* Tarot, a card associated with introspection, contemplation, and solitude.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *The Nevers* — "Touched." HBO, April 11, 2021.
2. ↑ *The Nevers* — "Exposure." HBO, April 18, 2021.
3. ↑ *The Nevers* — "Ignition." HBO, April 25, 2021.
4. ↑ *The Nevers* — "Undertaking." HBO, May 2, 2021.
5. ↑ *The Nevers* — "Hanged." HBO, May 9, 2021.
6. ↑ Denise Petski, "'The Nevers': Joss Whedon's HBO Sci-Fi Drama Series Adds 6 To Cast." *Deadline*, August 15, 2019.
7. ↑ "The Hermit." *The Tarot Guide*. Retrieved on October 2, 2022.