Stephen King’s 2006 novel Lisey’s Story is being adapted into a limited TV series for Apple TV+, and here’s what we know about it so far. As one of the most adapted authors in history, King carries with him a lot of clout in Hollywood. He often exerts creative influence over adaptations of his work, and sometimes even writes the scripts himself. That’s not to say that he’s overbearing, as many writers and directors actually go to King with questions and for approval when developing adaptations, and he’s usually happy to give it to them.
While theatrical films were once the most common destination for King stories, in recent years, TV has become a home for King’s work as well. This is especially true in the era of peak TV, where even if one isn’t looking for a long-running project, a King book can make great fodder for a limited run series. The most recent example of that style was HBO’s The Outsider, which earned great reviews and high ratings, and was pre-planned for a 10-episode length.
As a further example of King’s clout, in 2017, he mused publicly about wanting to make Lisey’s Story, one of his most personally treasured of the novels he’s written, into a limited TV series. Sure enough, that idea became a reality by 2019, as producers likely scrambled to call King as soon as they read his interview. Here’s everything we know about Lisey’s Story so far.
Lisey’s Story Release Date
Lisey’s Story doesn’t currently have a release date, but it’s understandable why, as the eight-episode series actually hasn’t finished filming yet. Production was in progress, but when the full force of the Coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. in March 2020, Lisey’s Story was but one of many movies and shows forced to abruptly cease filming. Slated to premiere exclusively on the Apple TV+ streaming service, Lisey’s Story now seems unlikely to premiere in 2020, but a 2021 debut could still be possible.
Lisey’s Story Story Details
Lisey’s Story naturally centers on Lisey Landon, who’s now two years past the death of her husband Scott. She decides to finally go through her husband’s belongings, but doing so leads to a spiraling series of events that both puts Lisey in danger and causes repressed memories of her marriage to rise to the surface. This forces Lisey to face unpleasant truths about her late husband. In an unprecedented move, Stephen King himself wrote all eight episodes.
Lisey’s Story Cast
Oscar-winner Julianne Moore leads Lisey’s Story in the titular role, while Clive Owen plays her deceased husband Scott in flashbacks. Interestingly, Moore and Owen previously starred together in 2006’s Children of Men, also playing a married couple, albeit an estranged one. Additional cast members confirmed so far include Joan Allen as Lisey’s sister Amanda, Dane DeHaan as villain Jim Dooley, and Sung Kang as Officer Dan Boeckman.
