As announced in an exclusive by Deadline, MGM+’s upcoming thriller series The Institute, based on the 2019 Stephen King novel of the same name, has added eleven more regulars to its cast.
The Institute is planned to be an eight-episode show, and will be headed up by director/executive producer Jack Bender (Lost, Mr. Mercedes) and writer/executive producer Benjamin Cavell (Justified, The Stand). It will follow Luke Ellis, a 12-year-old genius who is kidnapped and awakens in the Institute, a facility housing other abducted children—all of whom possess unusual powers. Meanwhile, in a nearby town, haunted police officer Tim Jamieson looks to start a new life but will soon find himself on a collision course with Luke.
Previously announced were cast members Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parkerback in June of this year. Barnes will play Tim Jamieson while Parker will play Ms Sigsby, the director of the Institute.
The newly announced regulars include Joe Freeman (Doctors) who will play protagonist Luke Ellis, who finds himself trapped in the Institute. Fionn Laird (Under the Banner of Heaven) has been cast as Nick, considered “the Institute’s resident bad-boy rebel” and Viggo Hanvelt (Our Christmas Mural) as Avery, the youngest and “most innocent” of all of the Institute’s inmates. Julian Richings (Cube, Beau Is Afraid) will play Stackhouse, the head of security, and Robert Joy (Julia, The Hills Have Eyes) has been cast as Hendricks, the Doctor in charge of the Institute’s scientific projects.
Also joining the cast as series regulars are Hannah Galway (Under the Banner of Heaven), Arlen So (Something Rotten), Birva Pandya (The Umbrella Academy), Dan Beirne (Ginny & Georgia), Martin Roach (Suits) and Jane Luk (Streams Flow From A River).
The Institute is just one of several Stephen King projects that are currently in the works across a variety of studios proving the ‘master of horror’ is more popular than ever. Currently upcoming are film adaptations of The Life of Chuck, Salem’s Lot and The Monkey. An IT prequel show Welcome to Derry is also in the works.
Words by Louise Eve Leigh
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