Stephen King fans, get ready! Another chilling tale from the legendary author is making its way to the small screen.
“Academy” is adapted from King’s 2019 novel and is a limited series to be aired on MGM+. It is expected to be as suspenseful and gripping as the original novel.
With a stellar cast, a talented creative team, and a storyline filled with psychic powers and sinister secrets, this upcoming thriller has all the makings of a must-see.
So, what can we expect from the institute? Here’s everything we know so far.
What is the institute about?
The story centers on Luke Ellis, a 12-year-old genius who is kidnapped and wakes up in a mysterious facility called The Institute.
Like Luke, other children at the institute were abducted and possessed extraordinary abilities such as telekinesis and telepathy. Under the command of the ruthless Ms. Sigsby, the staff used these gifts for sinister purposes.
Meanwhile, in a nearby town, ex-cop Tim Jamieson tries to escape his past, but as Luke’s story unfolds, their fates become intertwined in a high-stakes battle for survival.
Is the institute just another weird thing?
While The Institute’s premise may seem similar to Stranger Things, it’s worth noting that King didn’t borrow anything from the hit Netflix series — if anything, quite the opposite.
Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers have always acknowledged the influence of Stephen King on their show, drawing heavily from his work.
In fact, Stranger Things is often described as a love letter to King’s narrative style, paying homage to Stranger Things, Firestarter, and The Shining.
King’s The Institute explores familiar themes like children with supernatural abilities, secret government experiments, and small-town horror, but it does so with his signature dark psychological twist that sets it apart.
Rather than follow suit, The Institute returns to the core of what King does best – building tension through the vulnerability of young characters placed in extraordinary circumstances.
Who is behind the institute?
The Academy has assembled a talented team of producers who are no strangers to Stephen King adaptations.
Jack Bender, best known for creating the hit series From, serves as director and executive producer. He’s also joined by SEAL creator Benjamin Cavell as writer and executive producer.
Leveraging their experience on the current series, coupled with their previous work on Stephen King adaptations such as Mr. Mercedes and The Stand, the pair are set to launch in partnership with The Institute Another intense, must-see series.
Who are the stars in “The Institute”?
Joe Freeman rounds out the cast of The Institute as Luke Ellis, a 12-year-old genius with mild telekinesis who is the heart of the story.
Ben Barnes stars as Tim Jamieson (Shadow and Bones), a disillusioned ex-cop whose peaceful life is upended by Luke’s arrival. It ignited his life purpose.
Mary Louise Parker (“Weeds”) stars as Ms. Sigsby, the strong-willed director of the institute who is determined to complete her dark mission.
Other notable actors include Julian Richings (“Wicked”) who plays Stackhouse, the institute’s head of security. Jason Diaz (The 100) stars as Tony, a sadistic orderly who takes pleasure in torturing children.
Martin Roach (“The Umbrella Academy”) plays local police chief Chief Ashworth, and Robert Joy plays Dr. Hendrix, the head of the academy’s scientific efforts.
Simon Miller (“Running Burbuss”) plays Carissa, one of Luke’s closest allies, and Viggo Hanvelt plays Avery, the institute’s youngest and most powerful inmate.
Hanna Galway plays local police officer Wendy, and Dan Beirne plays Drew, a police officer who works in the same department as Tim.
Birva Pandya plays Iris, one of the first children Luke meets. Arlen So plays the class clown George, and Fionn Laird plays the rebellious bad boy Nick.
When will the institute be released?
Although an official release date for The Institute has yet to be set, filming has already begun in Nova Scotia.
Given the timing, the show will likely premiere sometime in 2025, alongside another highly anticipated Stephen King adaptation, Welcome to Derry , a prequel to the It movie.
How many episodes will “The Institute” have?
“The Institute” is planned to be produced as a limited series, with eight episodes premiering.
Is there a trailer for “The Institute”?
Unfortunately, The Institute doesn’t have a trailer yet, but since production has already begun in Nova Scotia, we’ll likely get a trailer in early 2025.
In the meantime, check out the trailer for Welcome to Derry , which will be available on HBO/Max sometime next year.
Other Stephen King Adaptations to Watch While You Wait for Academy
While we wait for The Institute to hit theaters, there’s a treasure trove of Stephen King adaptations to fill the void.
If you want newer episodes, Chapelwaite offers you a gothic horror film inspired by King’s short story “Jerusalem Land.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Mercedes and The Outsider showcase a darker, more suspenseful side to King’s storytelling.
For those who enjoy nostalgic horror, you can revisit the original “Salem’s Lot” miniseries (skip the recent reboot and go straight to the original), or dive into the supernatural horror series “Rose Red” that King wrote for TV 》.
If you’re looking for something a little more obscure, Nightcrawler offers a creepy, underrated vampire story that’s worth a look.
If you haven’t seen it yet, It: Chapter 1 and It: Chapter 2 will satisfy your craving for King’s signature supernatural horror and childhood adventure.
Fans of his more experimental work can explore films like “The Mist,” “Doctor Sleep” and “1922,” which all capture different levels of King’s weird imagination.
Whether you prefer the classic King adaptation or the new version, there’s no shortage of content to keep you hooked until The Institute arrives.
