As a fan who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, I can’t help but feel like I’ve stumbled upon a dream come true with the new Peacock series, Hysteria! The sheer nostalgia that hits you when you see Bruce Campbell, Jeffrey Combs, and Barbara Crampton grace your screen is almost palpable. It’s like a time machine has taken me back to my childhood when these legends ruled the horror genre.
As a gamer, I’ve always noticed that when diving into a specific genre or era in Hollywood, it’s a silent agreement to honor those who paved the way before us. This tribute to the past is often shown through casting actors who are synonymous with certain characters and film eras. The new Satanic Panic TV series on Peacock, Hysteria! (with all eight episodes now available for streaming), is a fantastic demonstration of this, as the legendary Bruce Campbell, best known as Ash Williams from the original Evil Dead movies, reprises the comedic horror style in his role as Police Chief Dandridge.
As a fellow Michigander, the duo of Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi were my guiding lights, inspiring me to venture out into the world as a filmmaker. If they could achieve their dreams, then certainly I could too. Therefore, having Bruce on board with our project is an immense honor that I’m deeply grateful for.
Besides Campbell, Kane didn’t cease there in demonstrating his affection for the classic ’80s horror that heavily inspired Hysteria! . In addition, he brought together two genre legends: Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton.
Who do Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton play in Hysteria?
Bruce Combs and Jeffrey Compton, recognized primarily for their roles in director Stuart Gordon’s beloved adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s stories, “Re-Animator” (1985) and “From Beyond” (1986), briefly appear in Episode 5 of “Hysteria!”, titled “Mother”. In this episode, they portray the concerned parents of Tracy Whitehead (Anna Lore). Alarmed by their daughter’s involvement in the drug and sex-fueled counterculture revolution of the 1960s, they seek The Reverend’s (Garret Dillahunt) guidance to help Tracy rediscover her religious beliefs.
Having Barbara and Jeffrey on board has been nothing short of life-changing for me,” I confess. “If Evil Dead II is the epitome of brilliant horror direction, then Re-Animator stands tall as one of the best-crafted horror scripts. To have these talented individuals join our project is a dream come true. I’m beyond fortunate to call them friends now. They are genuinely wonderful people that you’d be lucky to meet anywhere in the world. Working with them has been an absolute joy.
David A. Goodman, the co-creator and executive producer, adds his thoughts: “They’re incredibly gifted actors, yet this talent often gets overshadowed when discussing genre. It’s a misconception to label them as ‘genre actors.’ Instead, they are simply actors – and they’re extraordinarily talented.
In a unique approach, Kane aimed to ensure that the renowned actors he hired weren’t confined to reenacting their famous roles. Instead, he emphasized, “We didn’t bring Bruce on as Ash Williams, nor Julie [Bowen] as Claire Dunphy. Every cast member was used in a way that challenged their typical roles, even Barbara and Jeffrey. They’re usually portrayed as flamboyant characters, but in this show, they play conservative parents, quite different from their previous projects. They all excelled in their assignments, I had a fantastic time working with them.
How to watch Hysteria!
All eight episodes of Hysteria! are now streaming exclusively on Peacock. Episodes will also air weekly, every Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
Jordan Vogt-Roberts, who has previously directed films such as “The Kings of Summer” and “Kong: Skull Island”, is responsible for directing Episodes 1 and 8 in the latest project. He also holds an executive producer role along with co-creators Matthew Scott Kane and David A. Goodman, Chris Bender, Jake Weiner, and the co-directors of “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.
How to subscribe to Peacock
Peacock provides two monthly subscription options: The standard Premium plan, priced at $7.99 a month with ads, and the upgraded Premium Plus plan, which costs $13.99 a month without ads and allows downloading of specific titles. If you’re a student, you can savor the Premium plan for only $1.99 per month for an entire year!
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-01 19:01