MGM+ Developing Stephen King’s The Institute into Series

An eight-episode series is in the works for MGM+ based on Stephen King’s 2019 sci-fi horror novel The Institute, starring Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone) and Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), according to Deadline.

Jack Bender (Lost, Mr. Mercedes) will serve as executive producer and director with executive producer Benjamin Cavell (Justified, The Stand) writing the scripts. The synopsis of the series states: When 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis is kidnapped, he awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did, and who are all possessed of unusual abilities. In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide.

Barnes will play the role of Jamieson while Parker will take on the role of Ms. Sigsby, the charming, iron-willed director of the Institute. Production will begin later this year in Nova Scotia.