Amazon's Upcoming 'Carrie' Miniseries: A Fresh Take on Stephen King's Horror Classic

Amazon Prime Video is set to deliver a chilling new adaptation of Stephen King's debut novel with an eight-episode miniseries titled Carrie, helmed by acclaimed horror director Mike Flanagan. This project marks Flanagan's first under his overall deal with Amazon Studios and promises a bold reimagining of the timeless tale of bullying, telekinesis, and revenge. As of December 2025, production has wrapped, building anticipation for its 2026 release.

The Source Material and Previous Adaptations

Stephen King's Carrie, published in 1974, follows the story of Carrie White, a shy and sheltered teenage girl with emerging telekinetic abilities, tormented by her peers at school and oppressed by her fanatically religious mother at home. The novel explores themes of isolation, abuse, and explosive retribution, culminating in a infamous prom night catastrophe. It was King's breakthrough work, launching his prolific career in horror literature.

The story has been adapted multiple times before. The most iconic is Brian De Palma's 1976 film starring Sissy Spacek as Carrie and Piper Laurie as her mother, Margaret, which earned Oscar nominations and became a cultural touchstone. A 1999 sequel, The Rage: Carrie 2, followed, along with a 2002 NBC TV movie featuring Angela Bettis in the lead role. In 2013, Kimberly Peirce directed a remake with Chloë Grace Moretz as Carrie and Julianne Moore as Margaret. Flanagan's version is described as a standalone reimagining, unconnected to these prior iterations, aiming for a "timely" update that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Development and Announcement

The journey to this miniseries began in December 2019, when FX and MGM Television initially explored a limited series adaptation of Carrie. However, the project shifted gears after Flanagan signed a first-look TV deal with Amazon Studios in December 2022. In October 2024, Amazon Prime Video officially announced the eight-episode series as Flanagan's inaugural project under the agreement, with a writers' room assembling shortly after.

The series received its greenlight in April 2025, accelerating from development to production. Flanagan, known for his masterful King adaptations like Gerald's Game (2017), Doctor Sleep (2019), and The Life of Chuck (2024), serves as writer, showrunner, executive producer, and director of select episodes. Trevor Macy joins as fellow executive producer, with Chad Fitz producing and Michael Fimognari handling cinematography—both frequent Flanagan collaborators. The production is a collaboration between Intrepid Pictures, Red Room Pictures, and Amazon MGM Studios.

Plot Details

While staying faithful to King's novel, the miniseries offers a fresh spin: Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) has lived in isolation with her overbearing mother (Samantha Sloyan) following her father's unexpected death. Thrust into the unfamiliar world of public high school, she navigates a devastating bullying scandal that rocks her community, all while discovering her latent telekinetic powers. The narrative builds to Carrie's vengeful unleashing of her abilities against those who have wronged her, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements. This extended format allows for deeper exploration of character dynamics and themes compared to feature-length adaptations.

Cast and Characters

The ensemble cast features a mix of rising stars and Flanagan regulars, with roles drawing directly from the novel while introducing some new elements.

Recurring roles include Flanagan favorites like Kate Siegel, Michael Trucco, Katee Sackhoff, Rahul Kohli, Ruth Codd, and others such as Heather Graham, Tahmoh Penikett, Tim Bagley, Crystal Balint, Danielle Klaudt, Mapuana Makia, Rowan Danielle, Naika Toussaint, Delainey Hayles, and Cassandra Naud—though specific characters remain undisclosed. Casting highlights include Howell, a young actress nearing her breakout, and Lillard reuniting with Flanagan after The Life of Chuck. Sloyan's portrayal of Margaret continues her streak of intense roles in Flanagan's projects, including The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass.

Casting began in April 2025 with Howell in talks for the lead and Agudong as Sue, followed by Lillard in May and the full main cast reveal in June.

Production and Release

Principal photography kicked off in Vancouver on June 16, 2025, and concluded on October 25, 2025. This swift timeline reflects the project's momentum post-greenlight. While no official trailer has been released, fan-made teaser concepts have circulated online, stoking excitement.

The miniseries is slated for a 2026 premiere on Amazon Prime Video, though an exact date hasn't been announced. Given Flanagan's track record of atmospheric, character-driven horror, fans expect a psychologically rich exploration of King's themes.

Fan Reactions and Anticipation

Social media buzz, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), has been positive, with users highlighting the cast announcements and Flanagan's involvement. Posts from June 2025 celebrated the ensemble, while October updates on filming wrap amplified hype. Stephen King enthusiasts are eager for this latest adaptation, especially from a director who has proven adept at honoring the author's vision.

As post-production progresses, more details—such as a full trailer or premiere date—may emerge. For now, Carrie stands as one of the most anticipated horror series of 2026, ready to introduce a new generation to the terror of telekinesis.