Stephen King’s 1978 novel, The Stand, is being adapted as a limited series at CBS All Access. It was announced at TCA (Television Critics Association) that Stephen King would write a new ending to The Stand. King had expressed interested in exploring events post-novel before, claiming he has envisioned another ending for thirty years.
The Stand is about a world that was affected by a disease that killed off 99% of the planet’s population. People are torn between good and evil with a safe haven led by the saintly Mother Abigail and the untamed and lawless city led by the demonic Randall Flagg.
James Marsden (Westworld) is set to star as Stu Redman who is immune to the virus. Alongside him, Odessa Young (Assasination Nation) will play the young and pregnant Frannie Goldsmith who recognizes evil that lurks beyond Randall Flagg. Henry Zaga (13 Reasons Why) will play young deaf and mute man named Nick Andros. Andros is put in a position of authority when tragedy hits and he has to travel with Tom Cullen (a character that has not been cast yet). Amber Heard (Aquaman) will play Nadine Cross, a morally gray woman who is conflicted by her misdeeds, but loyal to Flagg.
The Stand’s limited series was written by Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars) and Ben Cavell (Bad Education). Boone has been working adamantly for years trying to bring The Stand to screen. Boone developed a professional relationship with King in his attempts to create the screen adaptation. During one of the conversations between the pair, they decided it would be best for the series to end with a new act penned by King.
Julie McNamara, the Executive Vice President of CBS All Access, said “For fans of the book who have wondered what became of the survivors of the stand, this episode will contain a story that takes us beyond the book to answer those questions. A continuation to The Stand; we can’t wait to share that with the world.”
The majority of the series was written by Boone and Cavell, but the final episode of The Stand was written by Steven King. According to Deadline, the new ending is an extensive part of the final episode and not short epilogue. Boone and Cavell also executive produced the series with Boone set to direct. King spoke on the project, “I’m excited and so very pleased that The Stand is going to have a new life on this exciting new platform…The people involved are men and women who know exactly what they’re doing; the scripts are dynamite. The result bids to be something memorable and thrilling. I believe it will take viewers away to a world they hope will never happen.”
Production on The Stand is expected to begin this September in Canada and last until mid-March. The series is aiming for a premiere date in late 2020.