Stephen King, the renowned horror novelist, has given his enthusiastic endorsement to a new adaptation of his 1974 debut novel, “Carrie.” This eight-part series, directed by Mike Flanagan, launched on Prime Video on October 7 and features an impressive cast including Summer H. Howell in the titular role, along with Samantha Sloyan, Matthew Lillard, and Amber Midthunder.
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In a recently released video posted on X (formerly Twitter), King, who is now 79, shared a glimpse of himself and his dog, Molly, enjoying the series. He warmly urged fans to watch, stating, “Hey! It’s Steve King here. Molly and I are watching Carrie on Amazon Prime TV. And I hope that you’ll do the same thing.” King praised Flanagan, calling him the finest adapter of his works and hinted at the possibility of future collaborations. He teased viewers, saying, “If you like this and enough people watch it, he might be doing something else that’s really special. But I can’t talk about it. Shhhh. Molly be quiet. Okay?”
Flanagan, acclaimed for his previous adaptations of King’s works, including “Doctor Sleep,” “Gerald’s Game,” and “The Life of Chuck,” appears to have secured another beloved story from the author. Reports suggest that the director is also working on a new film adaptation of King’s 1980 novella “The Mist,” as well as a multi-season series based on “The Dark Tower,” one of King’s most ambitious works.
The narrative of “Carrie” centres around Carrie White, a high school student plagued by bullying and an oppressive home situation governed by her strict, religious mother, Margaret. After discovering her telekinetic powers, Carrie ultimately faces pivotal and tragic consequences during her high school’s prom night—a sequence that has been famously depicted in previous adaptations. The iconic 1976 film directed by Brian De Palma, featuring Sissy Spacek, received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for its lead performance. A later adaptation in 2013 saw Chloë Grace Moretz take on the role.
Flanagan promises that his rendition of “Carrie” will offer a fresh perspective rather than merely rehashing a well-trodden path. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly earlier this year, he hinted at altering the defining prom scene, saying, “We’re getting there a completely different way and the events of that prom are going to be completely different.” The director expressed the thrill of adapting such a text and the challenge it poses for creativity, stating, “That’s a wonderfully delicious and irresistible opportunity.”
During a session at the 2026 San Diego Comic-Con, Flanagan elaborated on his motivation for revisiting “Carrie.” He remarked, “The only way to approach it was to build something new out of the ingredients of Carrie. Otherwise, there’s really no purpose in trying to retread ground that’s been so beautifully walked before.” This underscores Flanagan’s commitment to innovation when approaching the literary works of King.
As King’s stories continue to evolve on both film and television, his reputation for horror storytelling remains unassailable. Known for classics such as “The Shining,” “It,” “Misery,” and “Pet Sematary,” King has cultivated a vast narrative universe that has inspired numerous adaptations. These adaptations are set to expand, with a second season of the sci-fi thriller “The Institute” debuting on November 8.
Furthermore, future projects include “Mister Yummy,” which is based on one of King’s short stories, a second season of HBO’s “It: Welcome to Derry,” and a new Netflix adaptation of “Cujo.” Additionally, there is a 10-episode series on the horizon titled “Fairy Tale,” which is based on King’s latest novel.
Currently, fans can enjoy Flanagan’s new interpretation of “Carrie,” now available for streaming on Prime Video. As his works continue to translate onto screens across various formats, both King and Flanagan’s collaboration remains a captivating topic of discussion among horror enthusiasts. The excitement surrounding “Carrie” signals an encouraging trend for fans eager for fresh adaptations of beloved stories.