Warner Bros. Discovery has made a significant acquisition by securing the rights to “The Institute,” the highly anticipated thriller series based on Stephen King’s novel from 2019. The series will be available for streaming on HBO Max in Europe.
The scripted drama series, produced by MGM+, is set to premiere in Portugal and the Nordics on July 14, followed by its release in France and Belgium on July 17. The eight-part series, executive produced by Stephen King and directed by Jack Bender, follows the story of Luke Ellis (played by Joe Freeman), a teenage genius who is abducted and taken to The Institute, a mysterious facility where children with extraordinary abilities are held captive. Meanwhile, former police officer Tim Jamieson (portrayed by Ben Barnes) seeks solace in a quiet town but soon finds himself entangled in unexpected events.
The ensemble cast also includes Mary-Louise Parker, Simone Miller, Fionn Laird, Hannah Galway, Julian Richings, Robert Joy, and Martin Roach.
Ragnhild Thorbech, SVP of programming and acquisitions at Max, expressed excitement about adding “The Institute” to HBO Max’s diverse content lineup, which includes offerings from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, and Local Originals.
In addition to Stephen King and Jack Bender, executive producers on the project include writer Benjamin Cavell (“Justified,” “The Stand”), Gary Barber, Sam Sheridan, and Ed Redlich.
The announcement of the acquisition comes at a pivotal time for Warner Bros. Discovery, as the company recently revealed plans to separate into two distinct entities—one focusing on streaming and content production, and the other on traditional television.
Fans of Stephen King’s work and thriller enthusiasts alike can look forward to immersing themselves in the suspenseful world of “The Institute” when it premieres on HBO Max in Europe.
