Get ready for a thrilling ride as the highly anticipated Friday the 13th prequel series, Crystal Lake, is set to make its way to UK and Irish screens! This exciting news has sent shockwaves through the horror community, and we're here to dive into the details.
The journey of Crystal Lake began on Halloween 2022, when it was announced that Victor Miller, the mastermind behind the original Friday the 13th, had teamed up with an impressive crew to bring this project to life. Despite some bumps along the way, including a change in showrunners, the series is now in full swing, with filming underway in New Jersey.
But here's where it gets controversial... While we've known about the US streaming plans on Peacock, the recent confirmation by Deadline reveals that Sky and its streaming service Now will be the exclusive home for Crystal Lake in the UK and Ireland. This move has sparked excitement among fans, who are eager to witness the back story of the iconic Friday the 13th franchise.
Katie Keenan, Group Director of Acquisitions for Sky UK and Europe, expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with A24 and Peacock to bring this highly anticipated series to our customers."
Under the codename Mama's Boy, Crystal Lake is currently in production, with filming locations including West Milford and Ringwood, New Jersey. These familiar settings will transport viewers back to the world of Friday the 13th, with Blairstown, New Jersey, once again standing in as the iconic Crystal Lake town.
The cast of Crystal Lake is a diverse and talented bunch, led by Linda Cardellini as the vengeful Pamela Voorhees, Jason's mother. Joining her are Nick Cordileone, William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins, and Gwendolyn Sundstrom, among others. Fans of the original film will be delighted to see the return of legacy characters like Dorf, played by Cameron Scoggins, who made an appearance in the first movie.
And this is the part most people miss... The series will also introduce us to some of the first victims from the original Friday the 13th, with Nancy Nagrant, Victoria Russell, and Phoenix Parnevik stepping into the roles of Barry and Claudette.
In addition to his role as showrunner, Brad Caleb Kane will also be credited as the creator, writer, and executive producer of Crystal Lake. Kane, known for his work on It: Welcome to Derry, shared his excitement upon joining the project, stating that growing up in the golden age of slasher flicks, Friday the 13th defined his childhood and the genre itself.
According to Deadline, the series will explore Pamela Voorhees' backstory, revealing her as a mother who sacrificed her singing career to care for a special needs child. This dark turn in her life sets the stage for the terrifying events to come.
Crystal Lake is being executive produced by a stellar team, including A24, Kane, Marc Toberoff, and the original Friday the 13th screenwriter, Victor Miller. This project marks A24's first major IP-driven endeavor as they expand into more commercial territories.
The series will be directed by a talented trio: Michael Lennox, Celine Held and Logan George, and Quyen Tran, each bringing their unique vision to different episodes.
So, UK and Irish horror enthusiasts, are you ready to embrace Crystal Lake? Share your thoughts and excitement in the comments below! We want to hear your predictions and theories about this highly anticipated series.
