There are two solid leads at the Institute.
The upcoming Stephen King TV show's cast looks to be gathering together really well. With his most notable performance as General Kirigan (also known as The Darkling) in the Netflix Leigh Bardugo adaption Shadow and Bone, Barnes is especially adept in genre series. He starred Prince Caspian in the Chronicles of Narnia films Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, therefore appearing in another fantasy genre before then. He has also ventured in science fiction, casting Logan in Westworld and Billy Russo in The Punisher.
Mary-louise Parker has even more broad television experience under her belt but less expertise precisely in genre projects. She most famously starred Nancy Botwin, a suburban mother who turns into a marijuana dealer, in the long-running drama Weeds. She starred in 102 episodes between 2005 and 2012, and was nominated for three Emmys for the part. See some of her other most well-known roles below since the end of the Showtime series:
Under Development: New Stephen King TV Series Inspired by 2019 Sci-Fi Horror Novel
The Stephen King book The Institute is under development as a television series. Starting from his very first published book Carrie being transformed into a Brian De Palma horror classic in 1976, the prolific horror author has a long history of adaptations of his work. Though it is not particularly unique for the author, the 2019 Institute publication is more science fiction than horror-oriented. From years past, non-horror Stephen King films and TV episodes include 11/22/63, The Green Mile, and The Shawshank Redemption.
MGM+ has commissioned a full eight-episode miniseries adaptation of The Institute starring Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker per Deadline. Director Jack Bender and writer Benjamin Cavell, who have past King adaptations with Mr. Mercedes and The Stand respectively, are executive producing the project, which is scheduled to start filming in Nova Scotia in 2024. Barnes will play disillusioned former policeman Tim Jamieson opposite Parker as Institute director Ms. Sigsby. Review the summary of the show below:
The Plans of the Institute
After being kidnapped, 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis wakes up at The Institute, a facility full of young people who all arrived the same way he did and who are all endowed with unusual powers. Haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson has arrived in a nearby town seeking to start over, but the peace and quiet won't last as his narrative and Luke's are destined to meet.
Inspired by King's darker creations, the show's concept is an intriguing one. The concept of a group of extraordinary ability children housed in a hidden facility under the control of a menacing company reminds one of the subjects King's *It* and *The Shine* examine. Examining the relationship between the children, the Institute, and the adult world, the summary of the show also suggests a convoluted story.
Parker's Extended Chronicle of Television
Parker also worked with Benjamin Cavell on the 2017 Stephen King adaption Mr. Mercedes, which ought to equip her entirely to face The Institute. Who else is cast with the two forthcoming leads of the new show is yet unknown. The ensemble should be able to vividly and excitingly bring the story to life, though, if the rest of the actors have the same degree of expertise as Barnes and Parker.
Reference: Deadline
This project will join the growing list of Stephen King adaptations in fresh addition. King's books have attracted a large readership, which has produced several hit TV and movie adaptations. Set on MGM+, the new adaptation will probably appeal to a large audience and try to profit on King's works' continually rising popularity.
