Stephen King’s Chapelwaite Is Becoming a Modern Classic

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Stephen King is everywhere on streaming services! The famous horror author has seen great success with shows on many major platforms, and even smaller services are benefiting. The Institute has been a big hit on MGM+, while CREEPSHOW is a popular choice on Shudder. Now, another King series from 2021 is gaining traction on MGM+ as well.

Originally created by Jason and Peter Filardi, the horror series Chapelwaite faced significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When it finally premiered on Epix in 2021, it didn’t attract a large audience. While viewers enjoyed it – giving it an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – critics were less impressed, with a score of only 56% based on 18 reviews. Now, nearly five years later, Chapelwaite is gaining popularity on MGM+ after moving from Epix. This success is similar to what happened with Mr. Mercedes, which found a larger audience when it switched from the Audience Network to Paramount+; both shows allowed viewers to discover or revisit hidden gems they couldn’t easily access before.

Chapelwaite Is a Prequel to One of Stephen King’s Most Famous Books

The TV series Chapelwaite is inspired by Stephen King’s 1978 short story collection, Night Shift, though the title was changed. Set in 1850, the show functions as both a prequel and a spin-off to King’s 1975 novel, Salem’s Lot.

Captain Charles Boone moves his family to his family’s old home in Preacher’s Corners, Maine, following his wife’s death. He struggles with grief and maintaining his mental health, especially after discovering the town of Jerusalem’s Lot might be inhabited by violent, vampire-like creatures.

While the stories don’t share any characters, Chapelwaite provides a historical backstory for the evil events in Salem’s Lot. It explores the origins of the witchcraft, curses, and demonic possession that ultimately pave the way for Kurt Barlow and Richard Straker’s arrival in Salem’s Lot.

The show starts slowly, building tension until it reaches a dramatic climax. Throughout the series, Charles Boone unravels the mystery of a family curse, delving deeper into madness as he tries to find a way to end his ancestors’ endless suffering.

The Cast and Crew Behind Chapelwaite Make the Series Extremely Underrated

Peter Filardi, the creator of Chapelwaite, has a history of working with Stephen King. He previously wrote the TV event Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King in 2006, and a version of another King story starring Rob Lowe that many fans consider the best adaptation. Beyond his work with King, Filardi also penned the stories for beloved horror films Flatliners and The Craft.

Adrien Brody, a two-time Academy Award winner (most recently in 2024), powerfully leads the cast of Chapelwaite. He’s known for completely transforming himself for each role, and his performance as the quiet, determined Charles Boone is particularly impressive, though it hasn’t gotten enough attention. Brody portrays Boone as a strong figure who is also deeply vulnerable, making the audience both suspicious of his actions and hopeful for his triumph.

Emily Hampshire, best known for her hilarious role as Stevie Budd in Schitt’s Creek, also stars in the series. Many wondered how she’d transition from such a comedic character to a serious dramatic role, but she fit perfectly into the part of Rebecca Morgan.

What truly sets Chapelwaite apart is its incredibly spooky and gothic mood. This atmosphere is thanks to the talented creative team, particularly set decorator Brian Enman, who also created the unsettling environments for the hit streaming series From. The show’s music is equally impressive, featuring a dark and atmospheric score by Mark Korven, a well-known composer in the horror genre. Korven’s previous work includes scores for critically acclaimed films and series like The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Black Phone, The Terror, Until Dawn, and The Institute.

All episodes of Chapelwaite are available for streaming on MGM+.

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2026-05-16 16:44