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Stranger Things fans have a brand-new series to look forward to because Stephen King's 2019 book, The Institute, is being adapted for the small screen and will debut next month.
Over the past four seasons of Stranger Things, audiences around the globe have watched the character Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, grapple with the fact that she was taken from her mother as a child and brought to Hawkins National Laboratory due to her psychokinetic abilities. Now, The Institute seems primed to follow a similar plotline. Here's everything that we know so far.
Scroll to find out everything we know about MGM's The Institute Stephen King adaptation!
What is 'The Institute' about?
Chris Reardon/MGM+
Stephen King's original book definitely starts with a bang. Protagonist Luke Ellis' parents are murdered in the middle of the night, and he's kidnapped by the killers. Later, he awakens in a place known as The Institute, where he and other children with telekinetic and telepathic abilities are being held.
"In this most sinister of institutions, the director, Mrs. Sigsby, and her staff are ruthlessly dedicated to extracting from these children the force of their extranormal gifts. There are no scruples here. If you go along, you get tokens for the vending machines. If you don't, punishment is brutal," the novel's synopsis reads.
There's just one problem: no one has ever been able to flee The Institute, and Luke is determined to escape.
The latest TV adaptation from MGM+ Studios will center on the same gifted children who are brought to The Institute and subjected to appalling experiments in its confines.
Who's starring in 'The Institute' cast?
Chris Reardon/MGM+
The cast of The Institute includes:
- Joe Freeman
- Ben Barnes
- Mary-Louise Parker
- Simone Miller
- Hannah Galway
- Fionn Laird
- Julian Richings
- Martin Roach
- Robert Joy
Actor Joe Freeman, 19, will star as Luke Ellis. Meanwhile, Ben Barnes, best known for his role in Shadow and Bone, is set to portray Tim Jamieson, a former police officer whose quest for a fresh start gets upended when his and Luke's fates come crashing together.
Other cast members include Mary-Louise Parker as Ms. Sigsby, Simone Miller as Kalisha, Hannah Galway as Wendy, Fionn Laird as Nick, Julian Richings as Stackhouse, Martin Roach as Chief Ashworth, and Robert Joy as Dr. Hendricks.
Who's producing 'The Institute' on MGM+?
Chris Reardon/MGM+
Directed and executive produced by Jack Bender, as well as written and executive produced by Benjamin Cavell, The Institute is Amazon MGM Studios' latest thriller series. Stephen King will also serve as an executive producer alongside Gary Barber, Ed Redlich, and Sam Sheridan.
Is there a trailer for 'The Institute' yet?
Chris Reardon/MGM+
Yes! MGM+ just dropped the show's official trailer on YouTube on June 10, 2025. The sneak peek has already amassed 120,000 views.
When does 'The Institute' come out?
Chris Reardon/MGM+
The Institute will officially premiere on MGM+ on July 13. And as you gear up to binge the eight-episode series, you can read Stephen King's novel in the meantime. It's available for purchase on Amazon.
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