Syfy is developing a horror anthology series that is based on a popular internet story.
The series, called Channel Zero, will feature a different story every season but the first season comes from the user-generated Internet horror phenomenon called creepypasta. Creepypasta is a form of storytelling where horror stories are passed around on forums and various websites with the goal of disturbing and scaring readers. The name of these stories comes from the slang term copypasta which refers to copying and pasting blocks of text from one website to another. Syfy is teaming with Universal Cable Productions to bring one of the creepypasta stories to life, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The first season will be based on Kris Straub’s story Candle Cove. Candle Cove tells the story of a strange children’s show from the 1980s and the role it played in a string of murders. The story is told from forum posters trying to recall the details about this show as they slowly reveal its secrets. You can read the whole but short story here.
Bill McGoldrick, Executive VP of Original Content for Syfy, said in a statement, “Channel Zero: Candle Cove will feature contemporary storytelling and an innovative perspective that underscores Syfy’s commitment to bringing smart and provocative programming to a whole new generation of sci fi fans.”
Channel Zero will be written by Nick Antosca (Hannibal) and produced by Max Landis (Chronicle). Since the source material is so short, the series will have to build upon the existing story.
“We love the idea of doing seasons of TV like rich, character-driven horror novels, and for Channel Zero: Candle Cove we’ve expanded this great short story Candle Cove into something really nightmarish and haunting and surreal,” Landis and Antosca said in a joint statement. “We can’t wait to dig in deeper and bring this to life with Syfy and Universal Cable Productions.”
“Channel Zero: Candle Cove is a season-long imaginative and chilling horror anthology,” said Dawn Olmstead, Executive VP of Development at Universal Cable Productions, in a statement. “With its first story deriving from the cult favorite creepypasta, and the visionary minds of Landis and Antosca, it is elevated horror at its best. I’m still haunted by the first episode. It’s a chilling immersive ride.”
Other upcoming projects from Universal Cable Productions and Syfy include Childhood’s End, Brave New World, and The Magicians.