Hulu, one of the top streaming services available, has presented an original series called Castle Rock. Taking bits and pieces and nods to iconic horror master Stephen King, this series leans heavily on mystery, sci-fi elements and macabre situations. Castle Rock teeter totters between a mystery viewers need to solve like a puzzle, as well as an eerie existence that clings well after an episode is done. This supernatural drama draws inspiration from classic Stephen King stories such as Needful Things, Shawshank Redemption, The Dead Zone and Rita Hayworth. Like a lot of Stephen King’s work, Castle Rock is based in a made-up east coast town in Maine that follows the happening around locals and people that might not belong there.
This show is a must-see, but it’s also to be said that when viewers do watch it or re-watch it, they will definitely know their favorite characters. Sometimes the audience thinks they know the hero or heroine in a story, but sometimes, the script flips and a character becomes the villain. Based on the first two seasons, the characters that are involved are some of the best or the worst.
Loved: Jackie Torrance
Actress Jane Levy plays Jackie Torrance, the local historian and death-obsessed woman who runs a taxi service. It’s briefly noted that she’s the niece to Jack Torrance, the protagonist in The Shining and cousin to his son Danny. She’s fairly harmless and seems to get in everyone’s business and has no personal boundaries, but is a decent character, nonetheless. Some fans have predicted she has a much bigger role to play when she heads out west after season 2.
Couldn’t Stand: Warden T. Porter
New warden Theresa Porter is the classic, but worst type of villain: she doesn’t care about people, just an increase in business and profit. Warden Porter knows how full the Shawshank Prison is, but wants to continue to fill every corner.
When The Kid is found after 20-plus years, the warden doesn’t feel sorry for him, she wants him locked up tight again to avoid a scandal; t alk about cold-hearted.
Loved: Dennis Zalewski
Dennis Zalewski, played with Noel Fisher, is a prison guard at Shawshank State Prison. He’s unhappy with his job, but needs to care for his pregnant wife. Even though the prison system is flawed at Shawshank, Zalewski has an obvious moral compass and wants to play by the rules as much as he can.
On the other hand, he knows that continuing to shroud The Kid’s existence isn’t right and contacts Henry Deaver to help solve the issue.
Couldn’t Stand: The Kid
Bill Skarsgård does an excellent job playeing The Kid, even though at first, he didn’t speak all that much. He’s sought out to be the bad guy and “The Devil Himself” and it seems as if his mere presence causes mayhem and destruction, anywhere he goes.
Everywhere he went or anyone that he wished to harm, had something happen to them, even though he might’ve not wanted it to happen. He’s not from this point in time and that could be why he wrestles between good and evil.
Loved: Molly Strand
Molly Strand, the local realtor that’s seemingly an innocent but odd woman at times, that has the ability to feel other people’s emotions. To battle with her powerful affliction of sorts, she may have a slight pill problem, but is set on making the town prosper, anyway she can.
She’s mysterious and takes an interest on Henry Deaver and his whereabouts when he comes back to town. She’s an interesting character and generally means well.
Couldn’t Stand: Annie Wilkes
Fans of Stephen King will know the name, Annie Wilkes right away. From the iconic horror movie, Misery, she’s brought on for season two and portrayed by actress Lizzy Caplan.
Even though season two isn’t directly based on her delusions and mental illness, the villain of Annie Wilkes from Misery rears its evil head by her eerie character and her early-on murderous capabilities. Her character is a great ode to one of the most iconic Stephen King stories, Misery.
Loved: Alan Pangborn
Alan Pangborn, former sheriff of Castle Rock, came back to his hometown after leading a massive search for the young Henry Deaver. While everyone gave up on little Henry Deaver, Pangborn never did.
Even after leaving for a chunk of time, people still relied on him when he came back.He started a relationship with Deaver’s adoptive mother, Ruth Deaver, played by Sissy Spacek. Ruth Deaver learned to trust and love him and Pangborn became her companion and looked after her.
Couldn’t Stand: John “Ace” Merrill
John “Ace” Merrill, played by Paul Sparks, is the typical town bully that has been accused of murder and continuous violent behavior throughout the series. Ace briefly leaves Castle rock and returns in season 2; it’s safe to say time away hasn’t changed him. He’s aggressive, violent and ends up in Annie Wilkes’s hands and is killed. He’s not a good guy, no matter what universe he comes from.
Loved: Chris Merrill
In season 2, Chris Merrill, brother to well-known drug dealer and bully of Castle Rock, takes a different path than his brother Ace does. Even though he comes from a rough crime family and it would seem that he would join his brother in his antagonist actions, he wants good to come to the town.
Deep down, he’s a good guy, with good intentions and only wants positivity to come to the community with a dark cloud over it.
Couldn’t Stand: Henry Deaver
Seemingly, viewers would bet on Henry Deaver, the guy who escaped Castle Rock and made a life for himself to be the good guy. He’s an important character, but lacks the ability to make the right choices and expects everyone around him to cater to his needs, rather than theirs. This may be a mixed bag of opinions, but Henry Deaver’s character wasn’t entirely the protagonist of the series.
