Crystal Lake — Peacock & A24’s ‘Friday the 13th’ Prequel Series

Crystal Lake is one of the most anticipated horror series currently in production — a fresh, expanded prequel to the iconic Friday the 13th film franchise, produced by A24 and set to stream on Peacock. Wikipedia

Origins & Development

The series was first announced by Peacock in late 2022 as a Friday the 13th prequel series produced in collaboration with indie powerhouse A24. @peacocktv
It represents the first major television return to the franchise since the original Friday the 13th: The Series in the late 1980s. Wikipedia

Early in development, acclaimed showrunner Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Star Trek: Discovery) was attached as creator and executive producer, though he later exited the project and was replaced in August 2024 by Brad Caleb Kane (It: Welcome to Derry) as the new showrunner, writer, and executive producer. ComingSoon.net

Genre & Premise

Crystal Lake is billed as a slasher/horror drama series and serves as a prequel to the original Friday the 13th (1980). Wikipedia
While specific plot details are being kept tightly under wraps by Peacock and A24 — a common strategy for highly anticipated genre shows — the series will deepen the mythology of Camp Crystal Lake, focusing on the Voorhees family and the events leading up to the legendary Friday the 13th killings. FANGORIA

According to casting details and reporting, Pamela Voorhees’s story — including her life before and after raising Jason — will be central to the narrative. The show is expected to explore her sacrifices, losses, and descent into revenge and horror, providing context and emotional depth to the character fans first met in the 1980 classic. FANGORIA

Cast & Characters

The series features a mix of established and emerging actors, portraying both familiar characters from the Friday the 13th universe and entirely new faces:

Main Cast

• Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees – Jason’s mother and a key figure in the franchise’s lore. Wikipedia

• William Catlett as Levon Brooks – A new character whose role is part of the wider narrative surrounding the Voorhees and Camp Crystal Lake. Wikipedia

• Devin Kessler as Briana Brooks – Likely related to Levon, hinting at expanded family dynamics. Wikipedia

• Cameron Scoggins as Dorf – A legacy character from the original film. Wikipedia

• Gwendolyn Sundstrom as Grace – A new character within the expanding narrative. Wikipedia

Recurring & Supporting Roles

• Callum Vinson as young Jason Voorhees – Portraying Jason’s early years before he became the masked slasher icon. Wikipedia

• Nick Cordileone as Ralph,

• Joy Suprano as Rita,

• Danielle Kotch as Claudette,

• Phoenix Parnevik as Barry, and

• Christopher Denham as Theodore Landau — additional characters that round out the series’ ensemble, tying older franchise threads with new story elements. Wikipedia

Production Details

Crystal Lake is structured as an eight-episode slasher series with production taking place in 2025 — notably wrapping principal photography in October 2025. Wikipedia

The series was filmed on location in places deeply connected to the franchise legacy, including Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco in New Jersey — the same camp used in the 1980 original. Wikipedia

Directors across episodes include Michael Lennox (Derry Girls), Celine Held & Logan George (Caddo Lake), and Quyen Tran (The Pitt). FANGORIA

Release & Distribution

While Peacock has not yet confirmed an exact release date, the series is widely expected to premiere in 2026. Wikipedia

Some trade listings and fan sites also note March 13, 2026, as a potential premiere date — likely chosen to align with the franchise’s theme and the calendar’s Friday the 13th events. TV Insider

Internationally, the series has been acquired by Sky and will stream on Sky and NOW in the UK and Ireland in 2026 as well. Advanced Television

What to Expect — Themes & Tone

Although plot specifics remain secret, series coverage and casting choices strongly suggest:

• Character-Driven Horror — Focusing on Pamela Voorhees’s backstory and motivations. FANGORIA

• Expanded Mythology — Exploring events before Jason Voorhees became a horror icon, potentially including community dynamics and psychological suspense. FANGORIA

• Legacy Tie-ins — Characters like Dorf and the Brooks family hint at storylines interwoven with existing Friday the 13th lore. Wikipedia

Series creators aim to balance classic slasher thrills with deeper character exploration — an approach fitting A24’s stylistic imprint on genre storytelling. @peacocktv

Conclusion

Crystal Lake represents a bold new chapter in the Friday the 13th franchise — one that promises to honor the series’ legacy while expanding its universe through serialized storytelling. With strong creative backing from A24 and Peacock, a talented cast, and a narrative centered on Pamela Voorhees’s origins, the series could redefine how audiences view one of horror’s most enduring mythologies. Wikipedia