New Stephen King Series The Institute Adds 11 To Cast Including Supernatural & CSI Stars
Summary
The Stephen King novelThe Instituteis being adapted into a television show. The prolific horror author has a long history of adaptations of his work starting from his very first published novelCarriebeing made into a Brian De Palma horror classic in 1976.The Institute, which was published in 2019, is more science fiction-focused than horror-focused, but it is not necessarily an unusual outing for the author. Non-horrorStephen King movies and TV showsfrom over the years includeThe Green Mile,The Shawshank Redemption, and11/22/63.
PerDeadline, MGM+ has ordered a fulleight-episode miniseriesadaptation ofThe Institutestarring Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker. The show, which is set to begin filming in Nova Scotia in 2024, is being executive produced by director Jack Bender and writer Benjamin Cavell, who have previous experience on King adaptations withMr. MercedesandThe Standrespectively. Barnes will star as disillusioned ex-policeman Tim Jamieson opposite Parker as Institute director Ms. Sigsby. Read the show’s synopsis below:
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 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.
The Institute Has Cast Two Solid Leads
Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker Both Have Strong TV Experience
So far, the cast of the newStephen King TV showseems to be shaping up well. Barnes in particular is knowledgeable about genre shows, with his most prominent role beingGeneral Kirigan (also known as The Darkling) in the Netflix Leigh Bardugo adaptationShadow and Bone. Prior to that, he appeared in another fantasy franchise when he played Prince Caspian in theChronicles of NarniamoviesPrince CaspianandThe Voyage of the Dawn Treader. He has also dabbled in the sci-fi genre with roles playing Logan inWestworldand Billy Russo inThe Punisher.
Shadow and Bone: Complete Cast and Character Guide
Netflix fantasy series Shadow and Bone stars Jessie Mei Li, Ben Barnes and Archie Renaux. Here’s a complete guide to the cast and characters.
Mary-Louise Parker has less experience specifically in genre projects, but she has even more general television work under her belt. She is perhaps best known for beingthe lead of the long-running dramedyWeeds, in which she played Nancy Botwin, a suburban mother who becomes a marijuana dealer. She was nominated for three Emmys for the role, which she played in 102 episodes between 2005 and 2012. Below, see some of her other most prominent roles since the end of the Showtime series:
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Angie
Parker also previously collaborated with Benjamin Cavell on the 2017 Stephen King adaptationMr. Mercedes, which should make her fully prepared to tackleThe Institute. It remains to be seen who else is cast alongside the two incoming leads of the new show. However, if the rest of the cast has the same level of experience as Barnes and Parker, the ensemble should be able to bring the story to life in a vibrant and exciting way.
