MGM+ has renewed “The Institute“, the new series based on Stephen King’s novel, for an eight-episode second season, Deadline reports today.
“Set free but hunted, new dangers await the escapees from the Institute and I can’t wait,” said Stephen King about the announcement.
In season one, “Teen genius Luke Ellis is kidnapped and 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.”
The series hails from director/executive producer Jack Bender (From, Mr. Mercedes), writer/executive producer Benjamin Cavell (Justified, The Stand) and MGM+ Studios. Both filmmakers are no strangers to the world of Stephen King.
“We’ve been so gratified by the response to our first season, which is a testament to the dedication of our fantastic cast and crew. We’re thrilled that Michael Wright and everyone at MGM have enabled us to continue Stephen’s powerful and timely story. From this project’s inception, we’ve felt there would be much more story to tell as our brilliant characters continue to navigate their way through the dangers of the world they’re facing,” said Bender and Cavell.
Mary-Louise Parker (Ms. Sigsby), Ben Barnes (Tim Jamieson), Joe Freeman (Luke Ellis), Simone Miller (Kalisha), Fionn Laird (Nick), Hannah Galway (Wendy), Julian Richings (Stackhouse), Robert Joy (Dr. Hendricks), and Martin Roach (Chief Ashworth) star in the inagural season.
Perhaps the second season will further flesh out the themes and details present in King’s novel. Jenn Adams wrote in her season one review, “The Institute is a bingeworthy and exciting series filled with compelling performances and genuine horror that fails to present an argument for its own existence. All the ingredients are there for a stellar adaptation, but we’re missing the indescribable spark required for the story to ever truly soar.”
Casting for Season 2 will be announced at a later date. Stay tuned.