The Institute: Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Barnes to Lead Stephen King Series Adaptation at MGM+

Stephen King’s The Institute is coming to the small screen, and two TV veterans are on board for the ride.

Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) and Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone) will lead the series adaptation of King’s 2019 novel, which was ordered at MGM+ (fka Epix) on Thursday.

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The eight-episode thriller follows yet-to-be-cast Luke Ellis, a 12-year-old genius who is kidnapped and awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did, and all of whom possess unusual abilities. “In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson has come looking to start a new life,” the logline reads, “but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide.”

Barnes will play the aforementioned ex-cop Tim, a disillusioned man who withdraws from the world until Luke’s plight reignites him. Parker, meanwhile, will play Ms. Sigsby, the charming but iron-willed director of The Institute and a true believer in its awful mission.

Behind the scenes, The Institute hails from two creatives who have previously adapted King’s other works: Jack Bender (Audience Network’s Mr. Mercedes) will executive-produce and direct, while Benjamin Cavell (Paramount+’s The Stand) will serve as EP and writer.

“I’m delighted and excited at the prospect of The Institute, with its high-intensity suspense, being filmed as a series,” King said in a statement. “The combination of Jack Bender and Ben Cavell guarantees that the results will be terrific.”

Production on The Institute gets underway in Nova Scotia later this year. Will you be watching?

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