MGM+ has ordered an eight-episode series based on Stephen King's 2019 novel, The Institute, Deadline reported this week. The novel follows the plight of 12-year-old Luke Ellis and a group of other children with telepathic and telekinetic abilities who have been kidnapped and held captive in a facility deep in the Maine woods, where their powers are exploited. His story is intertwined with that of former police officer Tim Jamieson. I really enjoyed this one when it came out, and as a lifelong King reader who has hardened myself against the disappointment of terrible adaptations, I choose to remain hopeful.
So far, all we know about the cast is that it includes Ben Barnes (shadow and bone) as Jamieson and Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) as the villainous Mrs. Sigsby, according to Deadline. The show features Benjamin Cavell as writer and executive producer. Cavell led the 2020s The support miniseries remake, which… well, happened. Once again, we remain hopeful here. Production will begin later this year in Nova Scotia.
