It’s still early to gauge how audiences will respond to the new series Carrie, arriving on October 7, 2026 on Prime Video, but a notably important verdict has already emerged: that of Stephen King. The author of the novel, who is also credited as an executive producer, has watched the series conceived by horror master Mike Flanagan and has offered a decidedly positive assessment, calling his version “brilliant” and emphasizing, above all, the way it tackles the theme of social media, in his view a surprisingly realistic and truthful approach.
The Plot and the Cast: A More Contemporary Carrie
The story follows Carrie White (Summer H. Howell), a marginalized teenager who has spent most of her life largely secluded at home with her mother Margaret, portrayed by Samantha Sloyan. After the sudden death of her father, Carrie is thrust into the environment of a public high school, where she must confront bullying, social pressure, and the cruelty of her peers. The new series introduces a particularly timely element: a bullying incident escalates into a viral scandal, illustrating how violence and humiliation can amplify in the age of social media. Parallel to this, during adolescence Carrie discovers she possesses mysterious telekinetic powers. Their emergence accompanies the slow deterioration of the situation and leads to what will be a single, shocking night. Flanagan, already the mind behind Hill House and Midnight Mass, does not merely retell the events of the novel; he expands the story and deepens the relationships among the characters.
In the cast, besides Howell and Sloyan, there are Siena Agudong in the role of Sue Snell, Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen, Joel Oulette as Tommy Ross, Josie Tota as Tina, and Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle. Among the guest stars are also several long-time Flanagan collaborators, including Kate Siegel and Rahul Kohli.
Stephen King Endorses the New Carrie
Stephen King’s commentary arrived on social media just days before the series release. The author called Mike Flanagan’s version of Carrie brilliant, focusing in particular on how it handles the topic of social media. According to King, what the series has to say about the reality of social networks is both striking and true. This element represents one of the major innovations of Flanagan’s reinterpretation, which relocates Carrie White’s story into a decidedly contemporary setting. Joe Hill, Stephen King’s son, also shared the trailer for the series, showing strong enthusiasm.
A New Chapter for a Great Classic
King’s endorsement, of course, serves as a significant seal of approval for a production that confronts a story that has long since become a classic of horror, and which over the years has already seen several film and television adaptations. Published in 1974, Carrie was Stephen King’s debut novel and launched one of the most important careers in contemporary literature. The tale became even more famous thanks to the 1976 film directed by Brian De Palma, featuring Sissy Spacek in the lead role. Over the years there have been other adaptations, including the 2002 TV movie with Angela Bettis, the 1999 sequel The Rage: Carrie 2, and the 2013 cinematic remake directed by Kimberly Peirce and starring Chloë Grace Moretz. Flanagan’s series, however, represents a new approach: eight episodes to explore Carrie more deeply, her schoolmates, and the dynamics that lead to tragedy. See you on October 7 on Prime Video.
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