Matthew Lillard Teases Mike Flanagan’s Bold, Timely Vision for Stephen King's CARRIE

There have been plenty of Carrie adaptations over the years and actor Matthew Lillard says the upcoming series version from director Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep) is shaping up to be something different.

Lillard recently joined the cast of Flanagan’s reimagined Carrie series for Amazon MGM Studios, and in an interview with ComicBook, he shared his excitement about where this version is headed, and how Flanagan is steering it into very current territory.

Flanagan isn’t just updating the setting, he’s also recontextualizing the story entirely, and even Stephen King is on board with it. Lillard said:

“Well, first and foremost, Mike Flanagan’s, I think, a brilliant filmmaker, period. Working with him on Life of Chuck was like a dream, and then getting a chance to do this, I’m very honored to be in his world. So, he called, I said yes.”

That creative trust is clearly mutual. Flanagan pitched Lillard on a new concept for Carrie, one that reflects the world we live in now. Lillard continued:

“The exciting thing for me here is that he crafted an idea based around what we’re experiencing right now in the world, and shared that with Stephen King, and then Stephen King was like, ‘Oh, that’s a great idea.’

So, it’s Stephen King’s first published book, it has gone through all these iterations. I think the exciting thing here is that Mike has found a way to make it relevant right now, and I think that it speaks to what we’re all experiencing, and so I think that that’s going to make a difference.”

No plot details just yet, but Lillard’s comments hint that this isn’t just another blood-soaked prom redo. Flanagan is known for his emotionally rich, psychologically driven horror, and Lillard makes it sound like the series will be more of a cultural reflection than a simple retread.

The 1974 novel tells the story of Carrie White, a shy teenage girl with telekinetic powers, dealing with relentless bullying at school and the psychological torment of her religiously fanatical mother.

Summer H. Howell is set to star as Carrie, with Siena Agudong playing her infamous classmate and antagonist, Sue Snell.

Flanagan’s Carrie was officially greenlit last month and is currently in pre-production. No word yet on when filming begins or when it might premiere, but it will consist of eight episodes.