Mike Flanagan’s ‘Carrie’ Series Gets “Fantastic” Hype From Matthew Lillard

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Matthew Lillard will be starring in the upcoming series based on Stephen King’s Carrie, directed by Mike Flanagan. Lillard has praised Flanagan as a “fantastic director” and expressed his excitement about the project. The series, which will stream on Amazon Prime, is a new adaptation of the classic horror novel. While Carrie has been adapted for film before, most famously by Brian De Palma in 1976, Flanagan’s version will be a fresh take, allowing for a more detailed exploration of the story and characters than a movie could offer.

Filming for Carrie finished in October, and the limited series is planned for release in 2026. The show stars Summer H. Howell as Carrie, alongside Samantha Sloyan, Kate Siegel, and Amber Midthunder. Lillard will play Henry Grayle, the principal of Thomas Ewen Consolidated High School. In a recent interview with MovieWeb, the Scream actor spoke highly of Flanagan, calling him a talented storyteller and sharing his positive experience working on Carrie.

Working with Flanagan on ‘Carrie’ was an incredible six months. He’s a truly fantastic director – really specific with his guidance, always looking out for you, and just a brilliant storyteller. But honestly, beyond the work itself, the friendships and the feeling of being part of a team made the whole experience so rewarding.

Lillard discussed what makes director Mike Flanagan so gifted and consistently captivating for viewers. His upcoming adaptation of Carrie will likely showcase his skill with Stephen King stories, building on his previous successes with The Life of Chuck, Doctor Sleep, and Gerald’s Game. Lillard also highlighted what it’s like to work with Flanagan, noting that the director consistently brings talented people back for new projects.

Mike Flanagan Often Reuses Actors, and Matthew Lillard Knows Why


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Mike Flanagan, the director known for popular horror series, frequently works with a core group of actors. His wife, Kate Siegel, is a frequent standout, and familiar faces like Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas, Bruce Greenwood, and Michael Trucco often appear in his projects. Matthew Lillard is another repeat collaborator, having previously starred in Flanagan’s short film, The Life of Chuck. Their partnership even extended to a tequila brand, pairing Lillard’s spirits with Flanagan’s debut horror novella. Lillard now understands why Flanagan consistently returns to the actors he trusts, having become one of them himself.

I’ve often said, like many people do, that the most important thing is who you get to work with. For me, that’s always been James Gunn – I’d work on any project he’s involved in. Now, I’d add Mike Flanagan to that list. I genuinely like him as a person, and I’ve become close with him, his wife, and his friends – they’re like family to me now. It’s rare to find a set where you truly connect with and appreciate everyone involved.

We recently had dinner and spent time playing games together. True friendship is more than just being friendly – it’s about building deep connections with the people you work with, and that’s incredibly valuable. Work can often be just a means to an end, but having genuine relationships makes all the difference. For example, I’ve told Mike that I’d be there for him anytime he needs me, and that kind of connection is what really matters in life.

Damian Lillard has a lot of exciting projects coming up in the next year, including appearances in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Scream 7, the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, and a new adaptation of Carrie. He’s expected to continue working with director Mike Flanagan on future projects, and the upcoming Carrie film aims to be a faithful and impressive adaptation for Stephen King fans, delivered with Flanagan’s signature horror style.

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2025-11-22 19:20