Carrie is set to arrive on Prime Video on October 7, bringing Stephen King’s 1974 horror novel to television as an eight-episode series for the first time.
The new adaptation is led by showrunner, writer and director Mike Flanagan, whose previous work includes The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass and the feature adaptation of King’s Doctor Sleep.
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When Carrie premieres on Prime Video
All eight episodes are scheduled to premiere on Prime Video on October 7, 2026, rather than rolling out weekly.
Prime Video has listed the series as a 2026 horror and young-adult production, with the release planned across more than 240 countries and territories.
Canadian viewers will need an active Prime Video subscription or an eligible Amazon Prime membership to watch the series through the platform.
What the new Carrie series is about
The story follows Carrie White, a socially isolated high school student raised under the strict control of her mother, Margaret White.
According to Prime Video’s official synopsis, Carrie is pushed into public school after the sudden death of her father, forcing her to confront an unfamiliar and hostile social environment.
The series updates the central conflict for the social-media era, including a bullying scandal that spreads online and intensifies pressure on Carrie and the wider community.
At the same time, Carrie’s telekinetic abilities begin to emerge as she moves through adolescence and faces escalating cruelty from classmates.
The adaptation is described as an expansion of King’s original story, examining the choices and tensions that build toward a devastating final night.
Who stars in Carrie
Summer H.
Howell plays Carrie White, taking on the title role after an extensive casting search that involved more than 1,000 actors.
Samantha Sloyan plays Margaret White, Carrie’s intensely religious and controlling mother.
The supporting cast includes Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen, Joel Oulette as Tommy Ross and Josie Totah as Tina.
Arthur Conti plays Billy, while Thalia Dudek appears as Emaline and Amber Midthunder portrays Miss Desjardin.
Matthew Lillard is also part of the cast as Principal Grayle.
How Mike Flanagan is changing the story
The television format gives Flanagan more time to develop the characters surrounding Carrie than a conventional feature film would allow.
Rather than condensing the novel into a single sitting, the eight-episode structure can spend more time on Carrie’s home life, her classmates and the social dynamics that lead to the story’s climax.
The modern setting also shifts some of the mechanics of humiliation and public exposure into the world of smartphones, social platforms and rapidly shared videos.
That update keeps the story’s central themes intact while placing its bullying, isolation and loss of privacy in a setting familiar to contemporary viewers.
Prime Video has described the series as a story about kindness and cruelty, while leaving open the question of whether Carrie is becoming a hero, a monster or something more complicated.
How Carrie compares with earlier adaptations
King’s novel was first adapted for the screen in Brian De Palma’s 1976 film, starring Sissy Spacek as Carrie and Piper Laurie as Margaret.
The story was later revisited in a 2002 television film and a 2013 theatrical adaptation starring Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore.
Flanagan’s project is different in scale because it is the first television series adaptation of the novel and is planned as a complete eight-episode season.
The new series also arrives during a period when King adaptations remain prominent across film and television, giving Prime Video a recognizable horror property for the Halloween season.
What happens next
With the full season scheduled to launch on October 7, viewers will be able to assess the series as a complete adaptation rather than waiting for the conclusion over several weeks.
The release also gives Prime Video an opportunity to introduce Carrie to viewers who know the story mainly through the 1976 film or later versions.
For long-time fans, the main question will be whether Flanagan’s expanded approach can add depth without losing the novel’s sense of tragedy and unease.
For new viewers, the series offers a contemporary entry point into one of King’s most enduring stories about bullying, repression and the consequences of unchecked cruelty.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Carrie premiere on Prime Video?
Carrie premieres on Prime Video on October 7, 2026.
How many episodes are in the new Carrie series?
The first season consists of eight episodes, all scheduled to premiere at the same time.
Who plays Carrie White?
Summer H. Howell plays Carrie White in the new Prime Video series.
Who created the new Carrie adaptation?
Mike Flanagan serves as showrunner, writer and executive producer, and directs four episodes.
Is the new Carrie series based on Stephen King’s novel?
Yes. The series is based on Stephen King’s 1974 debut novel, Carrie, while updating parts of the story for the social-media era.
Fact-Checked: Key release, cast, episode and production details were checked against Prime Video and Amazon’s official information.
Disclaimer: Carrie is a horror series containing disturbing themes, violence, bullying and supernatural material.