The Institute: Everything We Know About Stephen King’s Upcoming MGM+ Thriller

Stephen King fans, get ready! Another of the legendary author’s spine-chilling stories is making its way to the small screen.

Based on King’s 2019 novel, The Institute is an upcoming limited series set to air on MGM+ and promises to be just as suspenseful and gripping as the book.

With a stellar cast, a talented creative team, and a storyline full of psychic powers and sinister secrets, this upcoming thriller has all the makings of a must-watch.

So, what can we expect from The Institute? Here’s everything we know so far.

What is The Institute About?

The story centers on 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped and wakes up in a mysterious facility called The Institute.

Like Luke, the other children at The Institute have been abducted and possess extraordinary abilities like telekinesis and telepathy. Under the direction of the ruthless Ms. Sigsby, the staff uses these gifts for sinister purposes.

Meanwhile, in a nearby town, former cop Tim Jamieson tries to escape his past, but as Luke’s story unfolds, their fates intertwine in a high-stakes battle for survival.

Is The Institute Just Another Stranger Things?

While The Institute’s premise may seem similar to Stranger Things, it’s important to note that King isn’t borrowing from the popular Netflix series — if anything, it’s the other way around.

The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, have always acknowledged Stephen King’s influence on their show, drawing heavily from his work.

In fact, Stranger Things has often been described as a love letter to King’s storytelling style, with nods to It, Firestarter, and The Shining.

King’s The Institute explores familiar themes, such as children with supernatural abilities, secret government experiments, and small-town terror, but it does so with his trademark dark, psychological twists that set it apart.

Rather than copying, The Institute returns to the core of what King does best — building tension through the vulnerability of young characters caught in extraordinary circumstances.

Who’s Behind The Institute?

The Institute brings together a talented team of producers who are no strangers to Stephen King adaptations.

Jack Bender, known for his work on the hit series From, serves as director and executive producer. He’s joined by Benjamin Cavell, the creator of SEAL Team, as writer and executive producer.

With their experience on these current shows, alongside their previous work on Stephen King adaptations like Mr. Mercedes and The Stand, this duo is poised to deliver another intense, must-watch series with The Institute.

Who Stars in The Institute?

Joe Freeman leads the Institute’s cast as Luke Ellis, the 12-year-old genius with mild telekinetic abilities at the heart of the story.

Ben Barnes plays Tim Jamieson (Shadow and Bone), a disillusioned ex-cop whose quiet life is upended by Luke’s arrival, reigniting his purpose.

Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) stars as Ms. Sigsby, the iron-willed director of The Institute, determined to fulfill its dark mission.

Other notable cast members include Julian Richings (Supernatural), who plays Stackhouse, the Institute’s head of security. Jason Diaz (The 100) plays Tony, the sadistic orderly who takes pleasure in tormenting the children.

Martin Roach (The Umbrella Academy) plays Chief Ashworth, the local police chief, and Robert Joy, who appears as Dr. Hendricks, the head of The Institute’s scientific work.

Simone Miller (Run the Burbs) plays Kalisha, one of Luke’s closest allies, and Viggo Hanvelt plays Avery, the youngest and most powerful inmate at The Institute

Hanna Galway portrays Wendy, a local police officer, and Dan Beirne stars as Drew, a police officer in the same department where Tim works.

Birva Pandya plays Iris, one of the first kids Luke meets; Arlen So portrays George, the class clown, and Fionn Laird takes on the role of Nick, the rebellious bad boy.

When Will The Institute Be Released?

Although an official release date for The Institute has yet to be confirmed, filming has already begun in Nova Scotia.

Given the timeline, the series will likely debut sometime in 2025, alongside another highly anticipated Stephen King adaptation, Welcome to Derry, a prequel to the It movies.

How Many Episodes of Will The Institute Have?

The Institute is planned as a limited series, with eight episodes scheduled for its debut.

Is there a Trailer for The Institute?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a trailer for The Institute yet, but since production has already begun in Nova Scotia, we can likely expect a teaser by early 2025.

In the meantime, check out the trailer for Welcome to Derry, which will air on HBO/Max sometime next year.

Other Stephen King Adaptations to Watch While You Wait for The Institute

While we wait for The Institute to hit our screens, there’s a treasure trove of Stephen King adaptations that can fill the void.

If you’re in the mood for a more recent series, Chapelwaite delivers gothic horror inspired by King’s short story Jerusalem’s Lot.

At the same time, Mr. Mercedes and The Outsider showcase the darker, more suspenseful side of King’s storytelling.

For those who love a nostalgic scare, revisit the original Salem’s Lot miniseries (skip the recent reboot and go for the original) or dive into Rose Red, a supernatural horror series King wrote for television.

If you’re looking for something a bit more obscure, The Night Flier offers a creepy, underrated vampire tale that’s worth checking out.

If you haven’t seen them yet, It: Chapter One and It: Chapter Two will satisfy your craving for King’s signature blend of supernatural terror and childhood adventure.

Fans of his more experimental works can explore films like The Mist, Doctor Sleep, and 1922, all capturing different shades of King’s eerie imagination.

Whether you’re into classic King adaptations or newer releases, there’s no shortage of content to keep you hooked until The Institute arrives.