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MGM+’s upcoming series adaptation of Stephen King’s supernatural thriller novel The Institute has received its official trailer, teasing what to expect from the new show. This marks the first time that the novel will be adapted into live-action since it was published in 2019.
The Institute trailer begins with Luke, a 12-year-old genius who suddenly finds himself enrolled in a facility where children with special abilities get «recruited» as subjects for brutal experiments. The clip showcases Luke’s efforts to rally the other children to help him find a way to escape and bring down the facility. Along with thrilling action-packed sequences, fans also get a glimpse of Narnia actor Ben Barnes as former police officer, Tim Jamieson, who might be the key to the kids’ liberation.
The adaptation is executive produced and directed by FROM’s Jack Bender with a script written by Benjamin Cavell. This serves as Barnes’ first major TV project as one of the leads, after Netflix’s Shadow and Bone ended its two-season run in 2023. Joining Barnes is Mary-Louise Parker as Ms. Sigsby, Joe Freeman as Luke Ellis, Simone Miller as Kalisha, Fionn Laird as Nick, Hannah Galway as Wendy, Julian Richings as Stackhouse, Robert Joy as Dr. Hendricks, and Martin Roach as Chief Ashworth.
«The Institute follows the story of teen genius Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped and awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did and who are all possessed of unusual abilities,» the official synopsis reads. «In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide.» King is attached as an executive producer along with Cavell, Gary Barber, Sam Sheridan, and Ed Redlich.
More Stephen King Shows Coming Soon
Besides The Institute, there are more Stephen King shows set to be released soon, including HBO’s IT prequel series Welcome to Derry and Mike Flanagan’s TV adaptation of Carrie. Welcome to Derry is expected to expand the lore of King’s 1986 novel, with Bill Skarsgård officially set to reprise his iconic role as Pennywise the Clown.
Set to debut in the latter half of 2025, the nine-episode horror drama stars Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Taylour Paige, James Remar, and Stephen Rider. As for Flanagan’s highly-anticipated remake, the show will be led by Chucky franchise star Summer H. Howell, who has been tapped to portray the lead role. She will be joined by Samathan Sloyan, Thalia Dudek, Josie Totah, Arthur Conti, Matthew Lillard, Siena Agudong, Alison Thornton, Amber Midthunder, and more.
The Institute debuts on MGM+ on July 13.
