Stephen King‘s 2019 sci-fi horror novel The Institute is the latest of the horror master’s works to receive a television adaptation, as Deadline have today announced an eight-episode series from MGM+.
Starring Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone) and Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), The Institute will be directed and executive produced by Jack Bender (Lost, Mr. Mercedes), and written by Benjamin Cavell (Justified, The Stand) who will also exec produce. Production is slated to begin in Nova Scotia later this year.
Per Deadline, here’s the synopsis of The Institute:
When 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis is kidnapped, he awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did, and who are all possessed of unusual abilities. In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson (Barnes) has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide.
For those who haven’t read the novel, the character of Tim Jamieson is described as “a disillusioned ex-cop who takes a job as the night knocker in a small town, withdrawing from the world until Luke’s plight reignites him and gives him something to believe in” while Parker’s Ms. Sigsby is “the charming but iron-willed director of the Institute and a true believer in its awful mission. She’s certain history will come to see her as a hero.”
We’ll see about THAT, Ms. Sigsby.
King himself has expressed his excitement at seeing another of his works hit the small screen, saying:
“I’m delighted and excited at the prospect of The Institute, with its high-intensity suspense, being filmed as a series […] The combination of Jack Bender and Ben Cavell guarantees that the results will be terrific.”
Bender has worked on his fair share of King works already, having executive produced CBS’ Under The Dome; Audience’s Mr. Mercedes and HBO’s The Outsider. Not to mention, he is also director/executive producer on MGM+’s hit horror series From, which King has raved about.
The Institute joins Max’s It prequel series, Welcome to Derry, The Monkey, The Running Man, and The Long Walk as upcoming King adaptations for fans to get excited about.
We’ll bring you more on The Institute as we get it.
