Judith Light, known for her iconic role in the beloved sitcom *Who’s the Boss?*, has taken a dramatic turn in her latest project, the AMC+ psychological thriller *The Terror: Devil in Silver*. In this unsettling series, Light portrays Dorry, a patient in a psychiatric hospital, where the tension is palpable and the atmosphere, foreboding.
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Set in the fictional New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital, the show utilises the eerie backdrop of a former correctional facility located in Staten Island, New York. The Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, which was decommissioned in 2011, lends its haunting corridors to the production, providing a perfect location for the chilling narrative. Light, a veteran actress and Emmy award winner, expressed her enthusiasm about the filming location, stating, “It was totally the perfect place to shoot… We had all these setups that we were able to have because we had these long corridors.”
Describing the environment, Light noted the chilling atmosphere created by the former prison setting. “It was very creepy. Totally creepy,” she admitted, even as she mentioned the enjoyable moments shared with the cast and crew during filming. This juxtaposition of horror and camaraderie is part of what makes her role in the series intriguing.
*The Terror: Devil in Silver* is the third instalment of an anthology series inspired by Victor LaValle’s 2012 novel of the same name. The story follows the character of Pepper, played by actor Dan Stevens, a working-class New Yorker who finds himself committed to the hospital after a violent encounter with the police. Initially intended as a brief stay, Pepper’s time in the institution is extended due to his perceived insubordination and the sinister nature of the staff, leaving him in a nightmarish situation that spirals out of control.
As horrors unfold within the hospital, Pepper grapples not only with unpredictable fellow patients—some prone to violent outbursts—but also with terrifying visions of a monstrous beast. In this turbulent environment, Dorry emerges as a long-term patient who may hold insight into the bizarre events at the hospital. Light describes her character as “fragile, sorrowful, funny, heartwarming, complex, challenged, frightened,” hinting that as the narrative progresses, deeper layers of Dorry’s character will be revealed.
Discussing this complexity, Light expressed her affinity for character-driven narratives, stating, “I like when something reveals itself as you go along… You have questions about her, you’re curious about her. And I think over time, the pieces of her pull you into her dynamics.” Her approach to portraying this character demonstrates her commitment to understanding and representing the intricacies of human nature.
Light’s career has recently seen a shift towards darker material, with significant roles in projects such as Lifetime’s 2019 film *Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story*, and Ryan Murphy’s *American Horror Stories* in 2022. Reflecting on her recent choices, she noted, “I don’t think of myself as doing those. But then I go, ‘Wow, I’ve done a lot of those.’” Her ongoing fascination lies in the depth of the characters she portrays.
The seasoned actress has also collaborated with notable figures in the industry, including Ryan Murphy. “It’s also the team that I choose. It’s the other characters. It’s the other actors. It’s the producers. It’s the directors,” she shared. Her recent foray into Murphy’s soapy legal drama *All’s Fair* as Sheila Baskin, a character embroiled in a tumultuous divorce, showcases her versatility. While Light has no current plans to return for the second season, she teased that a potential return could arise if her fictional circumstances warranted it.
*The Terror: Devil in Silver* premiered on AMC+ and Shudder on 7 May, with new episodes released weekly, enticing viewers with a mix of suspense and psychological depth. The confronting themes explored in the series provide a stark contrast to Light’s earlier, more light-hearted roles, highlighting the breadth of her acting prowess. As audiences tune in, they will undoubtedly be captivated by her portrayal of Dorry and the haunting narrative that unfolds within the walls of New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital.