Prime Video has released the first images from ‘Carrie’, Mike Flanagan’s upcoming eight-part adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic debut novel, which arrives on the streaming service this Autumn.
The series marks the first time King’s story has been adapted as an ongoing television drama, giving Flanagan considerably more room to explore Carrie White, her terrifying home life and the cruelties which eventually push her beyond breaking point.
Summer Howell takes on the title role as Carrie, having landed the part following an extensive search which saw more than 1,000 actors audition. She stars alongside Samantha Sloyan (The Pitt) as Carrie’s fiercely protective and deeply religious mother, Margaret White.
After the sudden death of her father, the sheltered Carrie finds herself thrust into the unforgiving ecosystem of public high school. Alongside the traditional teenage horrors of bullies and cliques, this version brings the story into the social-media age, as Carrie becomes the target of a viral bullying scandal which spreads throughout her community.
Unfortunately for those tormenting her, Carrie is also beginning to develop mysterious telekinetic powers. Anyone familiar with King’s novel will know that combining adolescent rage, relentless cruelty and the ability to throw objects around using your mind rarely ends with everyone calmly discussing their feelings.
Across eight episodes, ‘Carrie’ will expand the characters and tensions of King’s original story, following the seemingly small choices which gradually build towards one devastating night. Prime Video describes it as a story about kindness versus cruelty and whether audiences are watching the creation of “a hero, a monster, or something far more complicated.”
The supporting cast includes Siena Agudong (Resident Evil) as Sue Snell, Alison Thornton (Fire Country) as Chris Hargensen, Joel Oulette (My Life with the Walter Boys) as Tommy Ross, Josie Totah (The Buccaneers) as Tina, Arthur Conti (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) as Billy and Thalia Dudek (The Running Man) as Emaline.
They are joined by Amber Midthunder (Prey) as Miss Desjardin and Matthew Lillard (Man of Tomorrow) as Principal Grayle.
The adaptation comes from Mike Flanagan, the man behind Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher. Flanagan serves as writer, showrunner and executive producer, as well as directing four of the eight episodes. Stephen King also executive produces, with Amazon MGM Studios producing the series.
King’s novel was originally published in 1974 and launched a career which has seen his books sell more than 350 million copies worldwide. The story was famously adapted into Brian De Palma’s 1976 film starring Sissy Spacek, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
While Carrie White has appeared on screen several times since then, the longer episode count should allow Flanagan to dig much further into both Carrie and the people surrounding her. Given his previous work exploring grief, trauma, family and supernatural horror, this particular pairing of creator and source material feels like an extremely natural fit.
‘Carrie’ premieres this Autumn on Prime Video. If I want to keep track of this or any other shows, I can add them via our Never Miss system, and I’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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