When showrunner Mike Flanagan set out to adapt Stephen King’s 1970 novella into an eight-episode series set in 2026, he consulted the author before agreeing to lead the project. The resulting series, Carrie, streams on Prime Video and has drawn debate among fans for its alterations to the source material.
Involving Stephen King in the adaptation
Flanagan stated that King was intimately involved in deciding how to expand the story’s universe. According to the showrunner, King felt the original story had already been told as written, and was animated by the opportunity to open it up into a broader world.
“Some people seem animated by trying to protect Stephen King in this, and what I want to say to them is, ‘Guys, this is Steve’s idea,’” Flanagan told Polygon.
Expanding the supernatural universe
A major change in the television adaptation connects the story to the broader Stephen King universe by establishing that Carrie White (played by Summer Howell) is one of multiple individuals with psychic abilities. Another character in the series refers to this shared power as “the Shine.”
Flanagan noted that if King had written the book later in his career, he likely would have used that terminology. He added that the original text hints at a larger universe where Carrie is not alone.
Plot and character departures
Unlike the original book and previous film adaptations, this version of Carrie survives the story to set up a larger narrative—a choice Flanagan confirmed King supported.
Another significant departure is the introduction of Emaline (Thalia Dudek), a character who appears as a loner classmate before a twist reveals she used astral projection to guide Carrie from a distance. Flanagan noted that King had the most input into shaping Emaline and was particularly excited about the character.
For viewers dissatisfied with the series departures, Flanagan pointed out that prior screen versions remain available, noting that King himself loves Brian De Palma’s film adaptation while remaining enthusiastic about the new world-building.
