As MGM+’s adaptation ofThe Institutenears its premiere, the horror show’s anticipation becomes even greater when remembering the last time filmmaker Jack Bender turned a hit Stephen King novel into a TV series. Theupcoming release ofThe Instituteon July 9 is poised tocontinue Jack Bender’s noted horror TV success on MGM+, as the director has also been serving as an executive producer on the streaming service’s critically acclaimed seriesFromsince 2022.
The Instituteis far from Bender’s first foray into sci-fi or horror TV, withLostbeing another major title under his belt, and it also marks his long-awaited return toadapting Stephen King books. Before joining the TV adaptation ofThe Institute’s supernatural horror story,Bender was an influential figure behind the three-season take on one of Stephen King’s best thriller novels, with the success of that 2017-debuting show boding well for his new venture.
The Institute Is Jack Bender’s First Stephen King Adaptation Since Mr. Mercedes
Jack Bender Returns To Adaptating Stephen King Novels For TV
Jack Bender directingThe Institutemarks his first Stephen King TV adaptation sinceMr. Mercedes, based on the author’s bestselling crime novel of the same name from 2014. LikeThe Shawshank Redemption,11.22.63, orThe Running Man,Mr. Mercedeswas a Stephen King story and adaptation that stepped outside his typical horror notoriety.
Rather than a sci-fi horror story likeThe Institute, which follows teens with supernatural abilities being experimented on by the twisted titular facility, thenon-horrorMr. Mercedesis a crime thriller following retired detective Bill Hodges as he works to finally close the case on the titular mass murderer years later. Starring Brendan Gleeson as Bill and Harry Treadaway as Brady Hartsfield, aka “Mr. Mercedes,” the series lasted for three seasons as it tackled the Bill Hodges book trilogy –Mr. Mercedes,Finders Keepers, andEnd of Watch.
Similar to the team behindThe Institute,Jack Bender served as an executive producer on all three seasons ofMr. Mercedesalongside Stephen King himself. Bender ultimately directed the majority ofMr. Mercedes, helming 23 of the series’ 30 episodes. According toIMDb, however, Bender will only be directing three ofThe Instituteseason 1’s eight episodes.
Jack Bender was also a director and executive producer on the 2013–2015 TV adaptation of Stephen King’s novelUnder the Dome.
Mr. Mercedesreceived substantial acclaim upon release in 2017, and continues to hold animpressive 91% overall score from critics and 75% rating from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. However, despite its success,Mr. Mercedesended in 2019 after only three seasons, with its future still being kept in limbo after more than half a decade.
Jack Bender and Stephen King’s close involvement confirmsThe Instituteis in the right hands for success.
It’s unlikely thatMr. Mercedeswill ever get a fourth season, butJack Bender is thankfully still crafting Stephen King adaptations throughThe Institute, which follows the exciting accomplishments ofhis MGM+ horror seriesFrom.Considering how acclaimedMr. Mercedeswas across its three outings, Jack Bender and Stephen King’s close involvement confirmsThe Instituteis in the right hands for success.
Why Mr. Mercedes Ended After 3 Seasons In 2019 (Despite Great Reviews)
The Series Covered All 3 Books In The Bill Hodges Trilogy
ThoughMr. Mercedeshad fantastic reviews from audiences and critics, the show ended without ever officially being canceled.The crime thriller series ran for three seasons on Audience, an AT&T-owned premium channel, which closed in 2020. When the channel shut down, no official word was given regarding whetherMr. Mercedeswould be canceled or shopped elsewhere for season 4.
When Peacock began streaming the show later in 2020, there wasstill no movement on a potentialMr. Mercedesseason 4. As such, with six years now having passed sinceMr. Mercedesseason 3’s ending, it looks likethe conclusion of its network marked a timely conclusion to the series.
WhileMr. Mercedescould have potentially continued on with season 4 by following Bill Hodges andiconic character Holly Gibney,season 3 had essentially marked the end of its coverage of Stephen King’s book trilogy. King still wrote other Holly Gibney-focused spinoff books likeThe OutsiderandHolly, but it was fitting forMr. Mercedes’ main series to conclude with the end of the main book trilogy.
Jack Bender Isn’t The Only Returning Mr. Mercedes Figure In The Institute
A Prominent Cast Member From Mr. Mercedes Stars In The Institute
It isn’t just Jack Bender’s proven experience with adapting Stephen King novels into TV shows as a director and executive producer makesThe Institute’s prospects much more optimistic, but also the cast of thenewStranger Things-like serieshaving experience with successful King shows.Not only doesThe Institute’s cast include Stephen King show veterans, but it includes one of the biggest actors from Bender’s ownMr. Mercedes.
The Institute
Ms. Sigsby
Joining Bender forThe InstitutefromMr. Mercedesis Mary-Louise Parker, the Emmy-winning actress who has only appeared in a few other TV shows between the two series. Parker starred in the cast ofMr. Mercedesas Janey Patterson, Bill’s eventual romantic interest, the aunt ofJustine Lupe’s Holly Gibney, and the sister of the woman whose car Brady Hartsfield stole for his slaughter.
While Parker was only in the first season ofMr. Mercedes, her performance remained a highlight of the series with her character continuing to have a substantial impact on the characters in subsequent seasons. This time around,Mary-Louise Parker will have an even more sizable role inThe Institute, but with a very different dynamic to the other main characters.
Parker was one ofMr. Mercedes’ lead protagonists in the first season, whereasshe’ll be playingThe Institute’s main villain, Ms. Sigsby. Though many ofThe Institute’s cast members are new to Stephen King adaptations, that still gives the series an advantage by having a fresh set of eyes on the author’s iconic horror material.
