According to an official MGM press release, streaming service MGM+ has officially greenlit a series adaptation of Stephen King’s (Misery, Billy Summers, IT) best-selling novel, The Institute. The highly anticipated drama thriller, which will debut with eight episodes, is set to be helmed by executive producer and director Jack Bender (Lost, Mr. Mercedes, From), while the script comes from executive producer and writer Benjamin Cavell (Justified, The Stand, Homeland). MGM+ Studios will produce the series, with Ben Barnes (Shadow And Bone, The Punisher, Westworld) and Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds, Fried Green Tomatoes, Angles In America) leading the cast.
As stated in the official press release, Barnes will portray Tim Jamieson, a former police officer seeking a fresh start in a small town. Parker will play Ms. Sigsby, the authoritative director of the institute. Filming is slated to begin later this year in Nova Scotia.
The Institute follows the harrowing story of 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped and taken to a sinister facility where children with extraordinary abilities are held captive. As Luke tries to navigate the ominous environment of the institute, his path intersects with that of Tim Jamieson, a disillusioned ex-cop who finds himself drawn into the mystery surrounding the facility. Initially seeking solitude, Jamieson becomes the unlikely hero in Luke’s quest for freedom.
MGM+ head Michael Wright expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work again with King. ‘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.”
King also shared his excitement and anticipation for the series, saying, “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 the results will be terrific.”
Bender echoed these sentiments, adding, “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 engaging series.”
Cavell, equally enthusiastic, remarked, “It is my great honor to have another chance to adapt 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.”