Based on Stephen King's 2019 novel of the same name, The Institute is opening its doors on MGM+ with a two-episode premiere this Sunday, July 13th at 9:00pm ET. And trust me, if you're a fan of King's endearingly complex characters and wondrous world-building, this is one King adaptation you don't want to miss.
Ahead of its anticipated premiere, Daily Dead had the great pleasure of talking with stars Joe Freeman, Ben Barnes, and Mary-Louise Parker, as well as executive producer/director Jack Bender and executive producer/writer Benjamin Cavell about the new series, including getting Stephen King's approval and having the legendary author involved as an executive producer, bringing the humanity of the emotional story to the screen, and the nostalgic small-town night knocker profession of Ben's character.
From executive producers Stephen King and Jack Bender (FROM), “The Institute” follows the story of teen genius Luke Ellis (Freeman), who is kidnapped and awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did and who are all possessed of unusual abilities. In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson (Barnes) has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide.
The series stars Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), Ben Barnes (Black Mirror, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian), Joe Freeman, Simone Miller (Detention Adventure), Fionn Laird, Hannah Galway (Sex/Life), Julian Richings (X-Men: The Last Stand, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief), Robert Joy (From), Martin Roach (The Umbrella Academy, Shape of Water). The Institute is created and executive produced by Stephen King alongside director and executive producer Jack Bender (Lost, From) and executive producers Benjamin Cavell (Godfather of Harlem, Homeland), Gary Barber (Footloose, The Vow), Sam Sheridan (Homestead), Ed Redlich (The Practice, Unforgettable).
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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