MikeFlanagan’sCarrieTV show gets an exciting update, with the lead role reportedly close to being cast. Based on the 1974Stephen King bookof the same name, the Amazon TV show was first reported to be in development last October, with Flanagan, who has made a name for himself in horror with shows likeThe Haunting of Hill House(2018) andMidnight Mass(2022), leading the charge. The series marks the latest in a long line ofCarrieadaptations, including Brian De Palma’s 1976 film and a 2013 remake starring Chloë Grace Moretz.
Varietynow reports thatSummer H. Howell is currently in negotiations to star inCarrie, with the actor said to be nearing a deal to play protagonist Carrie White. Reps from Amazon and Howell aren’t commenting on the news. The report also notes that, though the series hasn’t been officially picked up, a formal announcement will likely be arriving in the near future. The logline for the show, perVariety, is included below:
“[A] bold and timely reimagining of the story of misfit high-schooler Carrie White (Howell), 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.”
What This Means For Mike Flanagan’s Carrie TV Show
Where You’ve Seen Summer H. Howell Before
Howell may not yet be a household name, but she is a regular in the horror genre. She will be best known to many audiences for her role as Alice in theChild’s Playfranchise, playing the character in bothCurse of Chucky(2013) andCult of Chucky(2017), with the former marking her feature film debut. Other horror projects on her resume includeThe Midnight Man(2016),Hunter Hunter(2020),Harland Manor(2021),All Fun and Games(2023), andTime Cut(2024). She also appeared in three episodes of horror seriesChannel Zero(2016 – 2018).
Mike Flanagan’s First Official Horror Show After 5-Year Netflix Reign Couldn’t Be More Perfect & Continues His Incredible Stephen King Streak
Mike Flanagan is working on an eight-episode TV series based on Carrie, and it’s the perfect follow-up to his next Stephen King adaptation.
With the show having potentially found its star, Flanagan’sCarrieis now one big step closer to making its way to screens.Flanagan shared on Blueskylast November that the show was already six weeks into its writers' room, meaning production could begin this year. If production does get underway in 2025, which seems likely if an announcement is imminent, asVarietyclaims, thenaudiences can probably expectCarrieto premiere on Prime Video in 2026.
Carrieis one of two King adaptations that Flanagan is attached to currently, with aDark TowerTV showin the works as well. Flanagan is also poised to direct a new take onThe Exorcist.
Our Take On Summer H. Howell Playing Carrie
The Show Is In Good Hands
Casting a lesser-known actor in theCarrieTV show could be a great path forward for the project, as the show is likely to be the first time that many audiences see Howell in a leading role. She comes with a solid history in horror, but no role that could be described as career-defining, meaningshe comes with no baggage as a star that could influence audience’s pre-release perceptions.Carrie, however, could certainly become a defining role for her, upping her star power in a major way.
Flanagan’s past projects, includingThe Haunting of Hill House,The Haunting of Bly Manor(2020), andThe Fall of the House of Usher(2023), all featured impressive casts, meaning there’s reason to be optimistic about his take onCarrie. The King work arguably hasn’t been effectively adapted since the 1976 movie, meaning it has an opportunity to break a disappointing trend. With Howell now seemingly in place to star, Flanagan’sCarrieTV show could be getting more updates in the near future.
