There’s no denying it. With the release of “Doctor Sleep” and the continued success of “Mr. Mercedes,” author Stephen King continues to insinuate himself into today’s discussion of pop culture. His horror novels still receive praise and fly off the shelves.
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Actor Jason Bateman (“Ozark”) is also having himself a great couple of years. “Ozark” was a massive hit for Netflix, and Bateman earned an Emmy for directing in 2019. These two men are positively trending upward, HBO is looking to combine them for a terrifying new horror-drama series titled “The Outsider,” based on a 2018 King bestseller of the same name. It’s a quick turnaround for an adaptation, but knowing HBO, they intend to do it right.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Outsider begins with a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. But when an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in.
If you’ve read the book, you know that the above description is a bit kinder and less intense than the plot turns out to be. If you’re a fan of horror, “The Outsider” is likely to be more than enough to scare you into watching a comedy before you go to bed.
Bateman is set to direct much of the series, as well as star in it alongside Ben Mendelsohn (“Bloodline”). The two actors will be joined by Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”) and Bill Camp (“The Night Of”), an all-star cast that has been in the intense drama space of television and movies in the past. Not a lot of new faces, but undoubtedly solid actors.
“The Outsider” is set to premiere on HBO on January 12, 2020. For HBO, the new year is going to start with a bang, or maybe just a scream.