Stephen King‘s novel The Institute (which can be purchased HERE) reached store shelves on September 10, 2019 – and that same day, it was announced that David Kelley and Jack Bender, the duo behind the King series adaptation Mr. Mercedes, were working on a limited series adaptation of The Institute. Nearly five years have gone since then and Kelley has dropped off the project along the way, but The Institute is moving forward at MGM+ – and Deadline has learned the names of eleven more cast members who have signed on as series regulars. They are: Julian Richings (Supernatural, pictured above), Fionn Laird (Under the Banner of Heaven), Hannah Galway (Sex/Life), Robert Joy (Land of the Dead), Viggo Hanvelt (Our Christmas Mural), Arlen So (Something Rotten), Birva Pandya (The Umbrella Academy), Dan Beirne (Ginny & Georgia), Martin Roach (Suits), Jane Luk (Streams Flow from a River), and – in the lead role of Luke Ellis – Joe Freeman. This will be the first screen acting role for Freeman, who happens to be the son of Martin Freeman, who’s known for his roles in The Hobbit and Black Panther.
These eleven actors join previously announced cast members Mary-Louise Parker of Weeds (and Mr. Mercedes), Ben Barnes of Shadow and Bone, Simone Miller of Detention Adventure, and Jason Diaz of The 100.
Set to run for eight episodes, The Institute will tell the following story: When 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis is kidnapped, he 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. 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. Joe Freeman is 18 years old, so it looks like the TV version of Luke Ellis will be a bit older than the book version of the character.
Barnes will be playing Tim Jamieson, “a disillusioned ex-cop who takes a job as the night knocker in a small town, withdrawing from the world until Luke’s plight reignites him and gives him something to believe in.” Parker’s character is Ms. Sigsby, “the charming but iron-willed director of the Institute and a true believer in its awful mission. She’s certain history will come to see her as a hero.” Miller has been cast as Kalisha, “a sarcastic-but-friendly Institute inmate, who becomes one of Luke’s closest allies.” Diaz plays Tony, “the most sadistic of the Institute’s orderlies, who delights in wielding his power over the children.”
Coming our way from MGM+ Studios, The Institute is being directed and executive produced by Jack Bender (Lost) and written and executive produced by Benjamin Cavell (Justified). Filming will take place in Nova Scotia later this year.
King provided the following statement: “I’m delighted and excited at the prospect of The Institute, with its high-intensity suspense, being filmed as a series. The combination of Jack Bender and Ben Cavell guarantees that the results will be terrific.“
Michael Wright, head of MGM+ (which previously worked with King on Chapelwaite), had this to say: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work again with Stephen King. And The Institute, based on his critically acclaimed novel, is an exciting addition to the MGM+ original series slate. There is no creative team I would trust more to bring the book to life than Jack and Ben, whose creative vision and love of Mr. King’s voice, will bring this thought-provoking and gut-wrenching story to life, in the engaging, cinematic, and thrilling style MGM+ viewers expect.“
In addition to Mr. Mercedes, Bender also worked on the King-inspired shows Under the Dome and The Outsider. He said, “I’m thrilled that Stephen King has entrusted me with another of his brilliant novels and continuing the extraordinary creative relationship with Michael Wright and MGM+. Working alongside Ben Cavell and a team of exceptional writers, to tell the story of these uniquely gifted children, will ensure a suspenseful and engrossing series.“
Cavell, who worked on the recent mini-series version of King’s The Stand, added, “It is my great honor to have another chance to adapt Stephen King, who has been generous and collaborative beyond my wildest imaginings. Also, the opportunity to work with Jack Bender, who has directed some of my all-time favorite television, is truly a dream come true. I couldn’t be more grateful to Michael Wright and MGM for putting this team together.“
What do you think of the cast that has been assembled for Stephen King’s The Institute? Let us know by leaving a comment below.