A landmark novel in the post-apocalyptic genre helped inspire Stephen King‘s critically acclaimed book, The Stand. This influential creation, despite its importance, has recently been adapted into a TV series that premiered in December 2024 but remains largely overlooked. The connection between this classic work and Stephen King’s novel highlights fascinating links within the genre.
Stephen King, renowned for his original horror novels frequently adapted for screen, also draws inspiration from earlier literary figures. His works often reflect influences from horror pioneers like Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. Yet, his post-apocalyptic masterpiece, The Stand, was shaped by another significant author who helped define the genre decades earlier.
The Book Behind Stephen King’s The Stand Also Became a Little-Known TV Series
Many regard The Stand as one of Stephen King’s finest novels, which has led to multiple adaptations over the years. While The Stand stands out in the post-apocalyptic category, the novel that inspired it was George R. Stewart’s Earth Abides, first published in 1949. King shared in his book Danse Macabre how reading about
“an accidental CBW spill in Utah,”
—Stephen King, Author compelled him to revisit Stewart’s work, sparking the idea for The Stand.
Earth Abides was brought to television screens with a new adaptation streaming on MGM+ starting December 1, 2024. The series spans one season with six episodes and explores the experiences of survivors in a world devastated by a pandemic, focusing on their attempts to rebuild civilization amid ruins.
Key Differences Between Earth Abides and The Stand’s Post-Apocalyptic Worlds
While both Earth Abides and The Stand portray futures shaped by disease wiping out most of humanity, their tones diverge sharply. Earth Abides opts for a grounded, realistic portrayal without supernatural elements, unlike The Stand, which is steeped in mystical and fantastical themes.
An interesting fact about Earth Abides is that it was a favorite novel of musician Jimi Hendrix, and even inspired his song, Third Stone from the Sun.
The story of Earth Abides places emphasis on practical survival challenges such as water scarcity and the preservation of knowledge, portraying the gradual process of rebuilding society from the ground up, rather than focusing on clashes between forces of good and evil.
What Sets MGM+’s Earth Abides Apart in the Post-Apocalyptic Television Landscape
Though Earth Abides has not reached the critical heights of its source material, or eclipsed the acclaim of The Stand, it offers unique emotional depth. The show’s straightforward narrative captures the everyday struggles and small victories encountered by survivors in a stark new world, creating a poignant sense of hope and human resilience.
The six-episode run ensures the story doesn’t drag unnecessarily, delivering a concise and satisfying arc. Unlike many modern series that stretch to set up multiple seasons, Earth Abides concludes with a definitive ending, providing closure and honoring the original novel’s vision.
The TV adaptation follows the journey of Isherwood “Ish” Williams, portrayed by Alexander Ludwig. Ish navigates post-pandemic desolation, initially preferring isolation but eventually confronting the need to rebuild and nurture community. Alongside Jessica Frances Dukes as Emma, the cast brings depth to a narrative about survival and renewal following catastrophic loss.
The Stand’s Adaptation and Its Narrative Focus on Duality and Conflict
Stephen King’s The Stand was adapted into a miniseries that aired on ABC between 2020 and 2021. It presents a world shattered by a deadly plague, where the remaining survivors form two opposing factions. One group is led by a benevolent elder, while the other follows a sinister figure, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation embodying themes of good versus evil.
The cast includes actors such as Whoopi Goldberg as Lucy Swann and Alexander Skarsgard as Susan Stern, bringing this complex story to life with emotional and thematic intensity. The miniseries blends horror, fantasy, and drama to explore the aftermath of a global collapse on both a personal and cosmic level.
Understanding the Broader Impact of These Post-Apocalyptic Stories
The relationship between Earth Abides and The Stand reveals how storytelling adapts and evolves within the post-apocalyptic genre. George R. Stewart’s realistic and thoughtful approach informed Stephen King’s more expansive and supernatural vision, showing how different narrative styles can thrive within the same thematic landscape.
Although Earth Abides is often overshadowed by more sensational adaptations, its careful depiction of survival and humanity’s rebuilding efforts offers viewers a grounded, introspective experience. As audiences face a world increasingly conscious of pandemics and environmental collapse, such stories resonate with renewed urgency and reflection.
Both series, airing on MGM+ and ABC respectively, bring renewed attention to a genre that explores mankind’s vulnerabilities and strengths under extreme conditions. Their coexistence enriches the cultural conversation about apocalypse fiction, with each offering distinct perspectives on humanity’s future.
