Excitement is building around the Stephen King Carrie TV adaptation, as upcoming series actor Matthew Lillard shares glowing praise for director Mike Flanagan’s commitment to staying true to the 1974 novel. Set to premiere on Prime Video in 2026, the production stars Summer H. Howell in the lead role and aims to capture the depth and complexity of King’s original work in a way not seen in previous versions.
Director Flanagan’s Meticulous Approach Draws Rave Reviews
Matthew Lillard, who plays Principal Grayle in the new adaptation, recently detailed his positive experiences during filming and praised Flanagan’s directorial style. The production, announced in October, is headed by the celebrated horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan, known for his fidelity to Stephen King’s stories in past adaptations like Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep. In an interview, Lillard recounted their extensive rehearsal process and Flanagan’s organized way of working:
“Carrie’s brilliant. Mike Flanagan – who I worked with on Life of Chuck – he is just the single greatest force of nature in this industry. We rehearsed for three weeks. He had plotted out every shot in the entire film. He had it down to the minute in terms of the amount of time it would take to shoot. He developed an app so you could see where they were in shooting. I mean, he’s so prolific and profound and such a great storyteller. So that’s the first thing.”
– Matthew Lillard, Principal Grayle
Staying Faithful to King’s Original Story
Stephen King’s debut novel, Carrie, has inspired several adaptations over the decades, most notably by Brian De Palma in 1976, with Sissy Spacek earning acclaim for her portrayal of Carrie White. However, previous film versions made significant departures from the source. Lillard highlighted that, under Flanagan’s direction, the new series will strive for closer adherence to King’s original vision:
“The second thing is the cast is incredible. It’s three different sort of sections. It’s the story Carrie written by Stephen King. It’s really a pure adaptation of the book [more] than the original movie was. The De Palma film is really about sort of one aspect, but there’s a lot that happens in the book that’s been introduced to the show.”
– Matthew Lillard, Principal Grayle
This focus on the full breadth of the novel’s events suggests viewers can expect a more intricate and comprehensive exploration of Carrie’s world in the upcoming series.
An Ensemble Cast with a Fresh Dynamic
Lillard also praised the depth and diversity within the cast, which balances the experience of established actors—referred to as “the varsity level”—with rising young talent. The main cast features Summer H. Howell as Carrie White, Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White, Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, and Lillard himself as Principal Grayle. Key supporting roles are filled by Amber Midthunder, Alison Thornton, Thalia Dudek, Joel Oulette, Josie Toah, Arthur Conti, and familiar faces from Flanagan’s previous projects such as Rahul Kohli, Kate Siegel, and Samantha Sloyan.
Lillard elaborated on the multi-layered structure of the show’s characters:
“And then there’s three different tiers – the teachers and the parents, and the students,”
– Matthew Lillard, Principal Grayle
“The teachers and the parents are kind of the varsity level of actors, you know, old. It’s just a way of calling the old actors. And then the kids…the kids are freaking brilliant.”
– Matthew Lillard, Principal Grayle
This blend, according to Lillard, results in especially dynamic performances and genuine chemistry on screen.
A Glimpse into the Show’s Execution and Early Episodes
Lillard’s first look at the finished episodes left him thoroughly impressed, as he witnessed the completed cuts before departing from the shoot in Vancouver. His viewings, which covered three of the miniseries’ eight episodes, assured him that the audience is soon to receive a strikingly well-crafted adaptation:
“They’re brilliant actors. I would watch them work, and I was blown away at their ability to be honest and truthful,”
Lillard continues.
“And we saw the first three episodes cut before we even left Vancouver, Mike had already finished and picture-locked the first three episodes, which was remarkable. But the show’s great. It’s really fantastic. The only thing that sucks is you have to wait a year to see it, because it’s so good.”
– Matthew Lillard, Principal Grayle
This early completion reflects Flanagan’s methodical planning and his commitment to delivering a polished product to Prime Video audiences.
Core Characters and Their Roles in the New Series
The upcoming Stephen King Carrie TV adaptation will see Summer H. Howell portray the troubled Carrie White, a high school girl with telekinetic abilities who is tormented by her classmates and stifled by her rigid mother, Margaret White (Samantha Sloyan). The story explores the complex dynamics between students, teachers, and parents, culminating in the tragic and bloody prom night familiar to horror fans. Siena Agudong takes on the role of Sue Snell, Carrie’s classmate who moves from complicit to remorseful, while Alison Thornton portrays Chris Hargensen, the instigator of much of the bullying. Joel Oulette fills the role of Tommy Ross, Sue’s boyfriend, whose part in the story shapes its climactic moments. Amber Midthunder plays Rita Desjardins, a compassionate teacher attempting to support Carrie amidst the chaos.
Prime Video Collaboration and the Future of Flanagan’s Projects
Mike Flanagan’s interpretation of Carrie is part of his broader production agreement with Prime Video, which anticipates several major projects beyond this series. Among these are highly anticipated efforts like a television version of The Dark Tower and a planned Exorcist movie featuring Scarlett Johansson. Given Flanagan’s record with King adaptations—including Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, and The Life of Chuck, all of which garnered strong critical praise—expectations for Carrie are high.
Matthew Lillard’s latest industry involvement also includes an appearance in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, scheduled for release in December, as his own career continues to intersect with prominent horror properties.
High Expectations for a Faithful and Powerful Adaptation
Anticipation continues to mount for the Stephen King Carrie TV adaptation, particularly among fans eager to see a version that fully honors the complexity of King’s first novel. With a devoted director, a dynamic cast encompassing names like Summer H. Howell, Siena Agudong, Samantha Sloyan, Amber Midthunder, Alison Thornton, Joel Oulette, Rahul Kohli, and Kate Siegel, and a steadfast commitment to the original text, this adaptation stands out as one of the most comprehensive and ambitious renditions yet brought to screen. As the Prime Video series enters its final stages of production and eyes a 2026 release, enthusiastic reactions from the creators and performers promise an experience both faithful to Stephen King’s vision and innovative in its execution.
