Stephen King film and TV adaptations have a long history. I believe the first for television was 1979’s OG mini-series for Salem’s Lot, followed by tentpole productions of mini-series for IT, The Stand, and others. We’ve also had one-offs and originals like Kingdom Hospital and Under the Dome. Successful series adaptations include 70+ episodes each for USA’s The Dead Zone and Syfy’s Haven.
Last year, The Mist gave it a go in a one-and-done set of nine episodes. Tomorrow night, Castle Rock arrives on Space Channel and CraveTV. We haven’t screened it to gauge the tone, but we’re hoping for a creepy combo vs. flat-out horror, so we’ll find out together. Here’s what we’ve been formally teased:
A psychological-horror series set in the Stephen King multiverse, Castle Rock combines the mythological scale and intimate character storytelling of King’s best-loved works, weaving an epic saga of darkness and light, played out on a few square miles of Maine woodland.
The fictional Maine town has figured prominently in King’s literary career: Cujo, The Dark Half, IT and Needful Things, as well as novella The Body and numerous short stories such as Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption. The series explores the themes and worlds uniting the entire King canon, while brushing up against some of his most iconic and beloved stories.
Uber producer J.J. Abrams executive produces alongside the Manhattan team of Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason who also write, and Ben Stephenson (Westworld), Mark Lafferty (Halt and Catch Fire), and Liz Glotzer (The Good Fight). The cast of familiar faces (and King alumni) include André Holland (Moonlight), Melanie Lynskey (Togetherness), Carrie herself, Sissy Spacek, Bill Skarsgård (IT), Jane Levy (Evil Dead), and Scott Glenn (The Leftovers).
The 10-episode series premieres July 25 at 9 pm ET with a three-episode event on Space Channel and CraveTV before settling into its Wednesday 10 pm ET timeslot the following week when it will air on Space and stream simultaneously on CraveTV.
In the U.S., the first three episodes will be available on Hulu beginning Wednesday. Here are a few sneak peeks and a documentary about the namesake town. You Tube also has a full playlist of goodies.
