Stephen King says Mike Flanagan is "the best adapter of my work." He said it in a video posted on X on October 9, two days after Flanagan's Carrie series premiered on Prime Video, and critics broadly agree the show is one of the strongest versions of King's first novel.
Then King teased something more. Flanagan, he said, "might be doing something else that's really special. But I can't talk about it."
Quick facts
- Show: Carrie, an eight-episode series based on Stephen King's 1974 novel
- Where: Prime Video, all episodes released October 7, 2026
- Creator: Mike Flanagan, who wrote it and directed four episodes; King is an executive producer
- Stars: Summer H. Howell (Carrie White), Samantha Sloyan (Margaret White)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 85% from 123 critics; 83% audience score
What did Stephen King say?
In the video, King watches Carrie with his dog, Molly. He calls Flanagan "the best adapter of my work" and says Flanagan "might be doing something else that's really special," before adding: "But I can't talk about it." He suggested a strong audience for Carrie would help.
That is high praise from a writer who has been openly critical of some adaptations of his books over the years.
What is the "something else"?
Nobody has said. Flanagan has talked for years about wanting to make a series of King's The Dark Tower and has given occasional updates in interviews, so fans have jumped to that conclusion. But neither King nor Flanagan has tied the hint to The Dark Tower or to any other title. Treat any specific answer as a guess until one of them announces it.
Is the Carrie series good?
Mostly, yes, according to critics.
- Slate called it the best take on the novel since Brian De Palma's 1976 film, and "the most explicitly feminist adaptation of Carrie to date." Its reservation: "The middle episodes spin their wheels at times."
- CNET called Summer H. Howell's performance "utterly heartbreaking."
- Nerdist said "Carrie succeeds in almost every way."
- The Playlist said Howell "should get most of the (well-deserved) attention."
Slate singled out Samantha Sloyan, a Flanagan regular, whose Margaret White it called "a startlingly rich character."
How is it different?
Flanagan moves the story to the present day. Carrie and her mother live in a world of smartphones and online conspiracy theories, the worst bullying happens on social media, and the school runs active-shooter drills. With eight episodes, the show also gives far more backstory to Sue Snell and Chris Hargensen.
Every Carrie, compared
| Version | Year | Carrie | Margaret White | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novel | 1974 | — | — | Stephen King's first published novel |
| Film (Brian De Palma) | 1976 | Sissy Spacek | Piper Laurie | Both actresses Oscar-nominated |
| TV film (NBC) | 2002 | Angela Bettis | Patricia Clarkson | Intended as a series pilot |
| Film (Kimberly Peirce) | 2013 | Chloë Grace Moretz | Julianne Moore | Studio remake |
| Series (Mike Flanagan) | 2026 | Summer H. Howell | Samantha Sloyan | Eight episodes, Prime Video |
Flanagan and King
Carrie is Flanagan's fourth King adaptation, after Gerald's Game (Netflix, 2017), Doctor Sleep (2019), the sequel to The Shining, and The Life of Chuck, which won the People's Choice Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
What to watch
Season two. Prime Video has not announced whether Carrie will continue.
King's secret. Whatever he meant by "something else," an announcement would likely come from Flanagan or King directly.
Published October 18, 2026. Release details and cast are from Prime Video's schedule as reported by Forbes; review scores are from Rotten Tomatoes as of October 18. King's comments are from his post on X.
