MGM+ has ordered an eight-episode series based on Stephen King’s 2019 novel, The Institute, Deadline reported this week. The novel follows 12-year-old Luke Ellis and a group of other children with telepathic and telekinetic abilities who have been kidnapped and imprisoned at a facility deep in the Maine woods, where their powers are being exploited. Their story becomes intertwined with that of ex-cop Tim Jamieson. I thoroughly enjoyed the book when it was released, and as a lifelong Stephen King reader who has often been disappointed by subpar adaptations, I’m choosing to remain optimistic.
So far, all we know about the cast is that it includes Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone) as Jamieson and Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) as the villainous Mrs. Sigsby, according to Deadline. The show has Benjamin Cavell on board as writer and executive producer. Cavell was at the helm of 2020’s The Stand miniseries remake, which had its moments. Once again, we’re staying hopeful. Production begins later this year in Nova Scotia.
