The highly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King’s novel The Institute debuted in stores on September 10, 2019, and on the same day, it was revealed that the talented duo David Kelley and Jack Bender, known for their work on the acclaimed series Mr. Mercedes, were set to transform this gripping tale into a limited series. Fast forward almost six years, and despite Kelley stepping away from the project, The Institute is making significant strides at MGM+. Excitingly, the premiere date has finally been announced, with The Institute scheduled to air on July 13 at 9 PM ET/PT on MGM+. For those interested in a preview, a detailed review is available at THIS LINK, and it’s worth noting that creator and executive producer Benjamin Cavell is already expressing hopes for a second season before the first has even aired.
Spanning eight thrilling episodes, The Institute unfolds a captivating narrative: It follows young prodigy Luke Ellis, who finds himself kidnapped and waking up at The Institute, a mysterious facility populated by children who, like him, possess extraordinary abilities. Meanwhile, in a nearby town, the troubled former police officer Tim Jamieson seeks a fresh start, but his quest for peace is disrupted as the fates of Tim and Luke become intertwined in unexpected ways. This adaptation promises to capture the essence of King’s storytelling, with King himself serving as an executive producer on the series alongside Bender, who continues to play a crucial role as both director and executive producer.
The cast of The Institute features an impressive lineup, including the talented Mary-Louise Parker from Weeds and Mr. Mercedes, along with Ben Barnes of Shadow and Bone, Simone Miller from Detention Adventure, Jason Diaz known for The 100, and Julian Richings of Supernatural. Other notable actors include Fionn Laird from Under the Banner of Heaven, Hannah Galway from Sex/Life, Robert Joy of Land of the Dead, Viggo Hanvelt from Our Christmas Mural, Arlen So of Something Rotten, Birva Pandya from The Umbrella Academy, Dan Beirne of Ginny & Georgia, Martin Roach from Suits, Jane Luk from Streams Flow from a River, and in the pivotal role of Luke Ellis, newcomer Joe Freeman. It’s noteworthy that this marks Freeman’s debut in screen acting at the age of 18, making him six years older than Luke’s character in the original novel.
In a conversation with Variety, Cavell shared insights regarding the potential for a second season, stating that the prospect has “always been on our minds from the beginning. The book is clearly designed to have more to offer. It concludes with an implication of a larger conspiracy and an expansive world beyond what we’ve witnessed, so we aimed to maintain that essence for our season. While our ending differs slightly, we wanted to ensure that viewers understand there is much more to explore. We’ve had extensive discussions about the future direction, and I’ve engaged with Stephen on his thoughts and visions for its continuation. If there is a demand for more, we would be thrilled to produce additional seasons.“
Are you excited to learn that the creators of The Institute are eager to extend this thrilling narrative into a second season? Share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment below.
