Mike Flanagan and Stephen King's television series Carrie is officially returning for a second season on Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios announced Thursday. Both Flanagan and King are expected to return for the new season, which will explore further territory for the psychokinetic high schooler.
Since its debut in early October, Carrie has proven to be a significant hit for Prime Video, reaching the No. 1 spot in global TV series rankings across over 105 countries. Amazon MGM Studios indicated that Carrie's story is far from over and that season 2 will introduce new revelations, significant character arcs, and unexpected twists.
Showrunner Mike Flanagan stated that the intention from the outset was to develop a narrative that extended beyond the events of the original prom night. He expressed gratitude for Stephen King's support in exploring the future of the character.
Executive producer Stephen King shared his anticipation for the upcoming season, promising a thrilling continuation of Carrie White's story. "Mike Flanagan and I are excited about what comes next. It's bound to be thrilling," King said.
Peter Friedlander, head of global television at Amazon MGM Studios, noted the series' broad appeal, connecting with both long-time Stephen King fans and a new generation of viewers, including young adults and international audiences. He highlighted the story's enduring power and the potential of Flanagan's reimagining.
The series stars Summer H. Howell as Carrie White and Samantha Sloyan as her mother, Margaret White. The official synopsis describes Carrie's journey through a viral bullying scandal, the pressures of the social media age, and the emergence of her telekinetic abilities following her father's death.
Additional cast members include Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen, Joel Oulette as Tommy Ross, Josie Totah as Tina, Arthur Conti as Billy, Thalia Dudek as Emaline, Amber Midthunder as Miss Desjardin, and Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle. Thalia Dudek is expected to reprise her role in the second season.
Critics have responded positively to Carrie. In a review for Polygon, Jake Kleinman noted Flanagan's willingness to diverge from the source material, creating surprising connections within King's larger fictional universe that were not present in the original novel or earlier adaptations. Kleinman suggested that Flanagan's approach, in contrast to the original book and Brian De Palma's film, felt more in line with how King might have written the story decades later, potentially linking it to locations like Castle Rock or characters such as Holly Gibney.