MGM+ has recently announced that it has given a series order for the television adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, The Institute. The book, released in 2019, tells the story of 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped after his parents are murdered and taken to a facility known as The Institute. The facility houses other abducted children who possess telepathic or telekinetic abilities.
The series will be directed by Jack Bender, known for his work on Lost and Mr. Mercedes, and written by Benjamin Cavell, who has credits on shows like Justified and The Stand. The lead roles will be played by Ben Barnes as Tim Jamieson and Mary-Louise Parker as Ms. Sigsby. The show is set to begin production in Nova Scotia later this year.
The plot of the series will follow the story of Tim Jamieson, a former police officer seeking a fresh start in a quiet town. However, his peaceful existence is disrupted when he becomes involved in Luke Ellis’ disappearance. Jamieson is a withdrawn ex-cop who finds renewed purpose in helping Luke. Ms. Sigsby, played by Parker, is the director of The Institute and is dedicated to its dark mission.
Stephen King expressed his excitement about the adaptation, stating that he is delighted to see The Institute brought to life as a series. He praised the creative team behind the project and had confidence in their ability to deliver a gripping and suspenseful show. Jack Bender also shared his excitement about working on another one of King’s novels and praised the exceptional writing team that will bring the story of The Institute to the small screen.
The show has been given a series order of eight episodes, although an official start date has not been announced yet. MGM+ Head Michael Wright expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the creative vision of Jack and Ben in bringing King’s novel to life. With over 90 Stephen King adaptations already produced in Hollywood, The Institute adds to the list of successful adaptations from the renowned author.
Fans of Stephen King and suspenseful thrillers can look forward to The Institute making its small screen debut in the near future. With a talented cast and creative team behind the project, the series promises to deliver a captivating and intense viewing experience for audiences. Stay tuned for more updates on the production and release of The Institute television series.
