Acclaimed horror visionaryMike Flanagan, fresh off his upcoming Stephen King adaptationThe Life of Chuck, will tackle another iconic work from the master of horror:Carrie. Flanagan is slated to develop King’s 1974 novel into a miniseries for Amazon. News of Flanagan’sCarrieadaptation circulated in October, and now, according to a report from Variety, it appears a lead actress may have been found. Summer H. Howell is reportedly in negotiations to portray the role of Carrie White. While Amazon has yet to greenlight the project to series formally, it’s expected that an official order is coming.
According to the series logline,Carriewill be a “bold and timely reimagining of the story of misfit high-schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother. After her father’s sudden and untimely death, Carrie finds herself contending with the alien landscape of public High School, a bullying scandal that shatters her community, and the emergence of mysterious telekinetic powers.”
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Howell is no stranger to the horror genre. She began her acting career at 8 years old in the horror filmCurse of Chucky(2013), where she played the role of Alice. This early role garnered her recognition, including a Joey Award for Best Young Actress in a Leading Role in a TV Movie or Direct to Video Feature. Since then, her credits have mostly included projects in the genre, includingThe Midnight Man, SyFy’sChannel Zero, Hunter Hunter, Harland Manor, andAll Fun and Games. She returned to theChuckyfranchise in 2017 forCult of Chucky.
From Book to Screen: ‘Carrie’s Enduring Legacy
The original movie adaptation of King’sCarriewas released in 1976, directed by Brian De Palma and starring Sissy Spacek. The film follows Carrie White (Spacek), a shy and awkward high school student who is bullied by her classmates and lives with her religiously fanatical mother (played by Piper Laurie). When Carrie is invited to the senior prom by a classmate, her happiness is short-lived as a cruel prank is carried out by her bullies. This leads to a horrific conclusion as Carrie unleashes her telekinetic powers. Carrie was both a critical and commercial success, earning Academy Award nominations for both Spacek for Best Actress and Laurie for Best Supporting Actress, and has since become a classic and influential horror film.
Carriewas published in 1974; it is often recognized as the novel that launched King’s incredible career and earned him mainstream recognition. The story of Carrie White has been revisited on screen several times, with1999’sThe Rage: Carrie 2, which served as a sequel to the 1976 feature, 2002’sCarriestarring Angela Bettis, and a 2013 adaptation starring Chloë Grace Moretz as Carrie and Julianne Moore as her mother Margaret that earned mixed reviews.
King is a vocal admirer of Flanagan’s work, even affectionately calling him the “King whisperer” during an appearance onThe Kingcastpodcast. Flanagan has previously and successfully adapted King’sGerald’s Game,Doctor Sleep,and the upcomingThe Life of Chuck(set for release on July 06, 2025). BeyondCarrie, Flanagan is also developing a television adaptation of King’s epic fantasy seriesThe Dark Towerfor Amazon.
Flanagan will scribe, direct, and executive produce Carrie and serve as showrunner. Flanagan is a powerful voice in horror, with acclaimed works likeThe Haunting of Hill House,Midnight Mass,Hush,The Fall of the House of Usher, andOculusunder his belt. Horror fans should be excited about his take onCarrie.
Source:Variety
