Lillard: Flanagan's Carrie Series Draws on Real Social Media Story

Matthew Lillard said in an interview that Mike Flanagan's Prime Video series Carrie is inspired by a real-life story about an anonymous social media account causing problems in a town. According to comingsoon.net, Lillard said Flanagan found the real-life story and applied the archetype of Carrie on top of it.

Lillard plays Principal Henry Grayle in the eight-episode adaptation of Stephen King's novel. Flanagan is the creator, writer and executive producer of the series.

The cast includes Summer H. Howell as Carrie, Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White, Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, Joel Oulette as Tommy Ross, Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen, Arthur Conti as Billy Nolan, Amber Midthunder as Rita Desjardin and Tim Bagley as Peter Morton.

The Prime Video series brings King's classic horror story into the present day and explores the impact of bullying in the age of social media. Lillard said Flanagan found the real-life story and applied the archetype of Carrie on top of it.

Lillard noted that a whole generation knows what Carrie is but isn't connected with the story. Unlike earlier versions of Carrie, the Prime Video series has eight episodes to develop its characters.