Amazon Prime Video will premiere its new eight-episode television series adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel Carrie on October 7, following an exclusive US festival run at Fantastic Fest in September.
The initial episodes of the miniseries will screen exclusively during Fantastic Fest from September 17 to September 24 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar in the United States, giving festival audiences an early preview before the series arrives on Prime Video.
Filmmaker Mike Flanagan serves as creator, showrunner, director, writer, and executive producer on the project. Having previously adapted several of King's books, Flanagan is regarded as the director who has approached the author's body of work most closely.
The upcoming series marks the first time Carrie has been adapted for television. King published the book in 1974 as his debut novel, detailing the story of a young woman marked by bullying, social pressure, and telekinetic powers that transform her life. The story was previously adapted into several feature films.
Official synopsis and cast
Summer H. Howell stars as the main protagonist in Flanagan's vision of the story. According to the official synopsis released for the project, the narrative follows Carrie as she enters high school following the sudden death of her father.
The official synopsis states that Carrie is forced to confront a viral school bullying scandal that shook her community, alongside the cruelty of the modern social media era.
Changes from previous film versions
Cast members have indicated that the new production will differ from prior cinematic versions. Confirmed changes to the story include the recent death of Carrie's father, setting her story in a public school, and portraying her mother Margaret as a protective parent who is significantly less cruel.
The television adaptation will also feature episodes highlighting other women around the world with telekinetic powers. Producers have expanded the theme of social media and online harassment to provide greater depth than the divisive 2013 film adaptation.
Expanded format and character depth
The eight-episode format provides a longer runtime than earlier feature films, allowing the creators to explore Carrie's trauma, the development of her telekinetic powers, and her eventual turn toward tragedy and destruction.
The extended length also allows the show to develop secondary characters who received limited screen time or attention in the original novel and previous adaptations.
