New series from Haunting of Hill House creator gets exciting first look

The writer-director's next show may be his most ambitious yet: a new adaptation of one of Stephen King's most famous novels.

This is on top of having also been behind some of the best horror movies of recent years. These include the Stephen King adaptations Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game, as well as Hush, Oculus, and Ouija: Origin of Evil.

Flanagan's back with a new series this year, which is perhaps his most ambitious endeavour yet. He will adapt King's legendary debut novel Carrie, previously made into a brilliant 1976 film, as an eight-part show.

Described as a "bold, timely, and surprising reinvention" of the classic coming‑of‑age story, it will see newcomer Summer Howell (Night of the Reaper) play the title character.

Summer Howell as Carrie

The plot synopsis for Flanagan's version of the story reads: "Misfit high‑schooler Carrie White has spent her life hidden away inside the walls of her home with her fiercely protective mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan, Midnight Mass).

"After her father’s sudden, untimely death thrusts her into the unforgiving ecosystem of public high school, Carrie is forced to navigate a viral bullying scandal that tears through her community, the relentless pressure and casual cruelty of the social‑media age, and the awakening of mysterious telekinetic powers that rise alongside her adolescence."

Unlike Flanagan's previous horror series, Carrie will be released not on Netflix, but on Prime Video.

The streaming service says the new take on the story "expands King’s cultural landmark - deepening its characters and tensions".

Summer Howell and Samantha Sloyan in Carrie

Prime Video states that the story follows "the small, everyday choices that build toward a single, shattering night, in a gripping, deeply human story about kindness versus cruelty, and whether we’re witnessing the making of a hero, a monster, or something far more complicated".

Howell was chosen as the lead after an extensive search that saw more than 1,000 actors read.

The show's main cast also includes Amber Midthunder (Novocaine), Arthur Conti (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), Josie Totah (Faces of Death), Matthew Lillard (Scream), and Siena Agudong (Resident Evil).

Other actors set to appear in the series are Cassandra Naud (Influencer) and Heather Graham (Boogie Nights). This is alongside several of Flanagan's recurring collaborators such as Kate Siegel, Katee Sackhoff, Rahul Kohli, and Irish actress Ruth Codd.

Carrie is written by Flanagan, who also serves as showrunner and directed half of the show.

King himself executive-produced the upcoming adaptation.

Carrie will premiere on Prime Video this autumn. To check out more first-look images of the upcoming series, visit the streaming service's website right here.