Prime Video is developing a six-part limited series based on Stephen King's 1980 horror-sci-fi short story, "Crouch End." The story, which first appeared in the New Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos anthology and was later included in King's collection Nightmares & Dreamscapes, is known for its departure from King's typical Maine settings, instead taking place in London and drawing inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft.
The series' official synopsis describes a scenario where a global movie star, Doris Freeman, reports strange phenomena to the police after her husband's disappearance. Inspector Ted Vetter is tasked with investigating her claims, exploring possibilities ranging from her truthfulness to her potential guilt, or a more chilling, otherworldly cause.
Created by Paul Tomalin, known for "Bodies," and directed by Tom Shankland of "Berlin Noir," the adaptation is being produced by Mammoth Screen and Fifth Season. Executive producers include Paul Tomalin, Ben Irving, Rebecca Keane, Damien Timmer, and Tom Shankland.
"Crouch End" has been adapted before, notably as an episode of TNT's "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King" in 2006. However, the new Prime Video series will have the expanded format of six episodes to delve deeper into the story's themes of grief, trauma, and cosmic horror.
Shankland expressed his long-held admiration for Stephen King's work and excitement about bringing the "utterly brilliant London mystery" to life in a cinematic, original, and thought-provoking manner. Tomalin echoed this sentiment, noting that King's prose has "haunted" his nightmares and calling the adaptation a "dream come true."
The series is expected to blend supernatural mystery and crime-thriller elements with grotesque imagery and horror, drawing heavily from the Cthulhu Mythos. Nicole Clemens, Vice President of International Originals at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, stated that the company is "thrilled to bring [King's] Lovecraftian tale to life in London." She praised Paul Tomalin's character-driven vision and Tom Shankland's direction, along with the production teams at Mammoth Screen and Fifth Season, anticipating a show that will "grip audiences worldwide."
A release date for "Crouch End" has not yet been confirmed.