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Serving as the second installment in 'The Haunting' anthology, which Netflix series, loosely based on Henry James's 'The Turn of the Screw,' tells the story of an American au pair hired to care for two children at a stately English country estate, only to discover it's haunted?

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The Haunting of Bly Manor - television illustration
The Haunting of Bly Manor — television

The Haunting of Bly Manor (Review) is indeed the correct answer, serving as the chilling second chapter in Mike Flanagan's 'The Haunting' anthology series for Netflix, following "The Haunting of Hill House". Released in October 2020, this standalone gothic romance supernatural horror drama draws its primary inspiration from Henry James's 1898 novella, 'The Turn of the Screw', though it also weaves in elements from other Jamesian works. The series transports viewers to 1987 England, where a young American au pair, Dani Clayton, is hired by the wealthy Henry Wingrave to care for his orphaned niece and nephew, Flora and Miles, at the sprawling, isolated Bly Manor.

Upon her arrival, Dani quickly discovers that the picturesque country estate harbors a dark and tragic history, populated not only by its living inhabitants but also by numerous spectral presences. The narrative delves into themes of love, loss, and grief, exploring how the past clings to both people and places. Creator Mike Flanagan intentionally designed the anthology to be about "haunted people" as much as "haunted houses," and "The Haunting of Bly Manor" beautifully exemplifies this, presenting a story where the characters' personal traumas intertwine with the literal ghosts (Review) of the manor.

A fascinating aspect of the series is its clever integration of Henry James's other stories, with each episode title corresponding to a different work by the author, subtly enriching the overarching narrative. The show is also renowned for its use of "hidden ghosts" – ethereal figures subtly placed in the background of many scenes, encouraging viewers to rewatch and discover the spectral inhabitants lurking within Bly Manor's shadows. This intricate storytelling and visual detail make "The Haunting of Bly Manor" a rich and engaging experience for fans of gothic horror and literary adaptations.