For those who grew up in the 1990s, very few TV shows had the cult status thatTales from the Cryptenjoyed from 1989 to 1996 on HBO. As far as the golden age of horror television that we’re currently enjoying, betweenThe Walking DeadandThe Strain, to say nothing of less-palatable also-rans likeThe Vampire Diaries, few shows have as much influence, with the possible exception ofThe X-Files. And like the recent renewal ofThe X-Files, which will hit Fox later this month,Tales from the Cryptis now getting a reboot from a pair of surprising sources: TNT andM. Night Shyamalan.
Having caught wind of the televison landscape’s interest in horror programming, TNT is using the reboot ofTales from the Cryptto anchor a proposed two-hour block of horror programming, which will be overseen by theSixth Sensedirector. For those not familiar, the original HBO program was based on an EC Comics series of anthology horror tales, and was itself an anthology series that featured short tales of horror and suspense. More than that, the series was often graced with a plethora of high-level actors and actresses who gamely played their sanguine parts. (I have particular memories of an installment called “Dead Right,” in which an angry, uglyJeffrey Tambordid, er, bodily harm to cuckolding wifeDemi Moore.) The series also produced two feature films,Demon KnightandBordello of Blood, the latter of which unfortunately starredDennis Miller.
It’s unclear, as of yet, if Shyamalan’s take on the series will similarly call on big performers to have a bit of fun with bit roles, but this is all good news, as far as I’m concerned. If the series gives good directors and writers a chance to play with short format storytelling, with the freedom that often comes with the horror genre, the show could prove to be a feast of talent and giddy, pulpy thrills, not unlike the original. And asBryan Fulleramps up his reboot ofAmazing Stories, this could be a bit of a renaissance for the anthology series, calling back other sci-fi and horror favorites likeThe Twilight ZoneandThe Outer Limits.
Update:Here’s the press release from TNT with the full details.
TNTis teaming up withM. Night Shyamalanon a new two-hour block of terror and suspense to be curated by the Oscar®-nominated writer-director (The Sixth Sense,Signs,Unbreakable) and executive producer of the summer’s TV hit,Wayward Pines. The block will feature both short and long-form storytelling, led byTales from the Crypt, based on the originalEC Comicsand new stories, all executive-produced by Shyamalan and his partner atBinding Edge Pictures,Ashwin Rajan. The horror block is set to launch in fall 2016.
“This is a new genre for us in our series efforts and a great chance to partner with M. Night Shyamalan, whose blockbuster hitThe Visitreminded movie audiences and critics this past summer that he truly is a master of horror,” saidSarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT. “This two-hour horror block demonstrates not only TNT’s commitment to working with today’s top talents, but also our strategy to stand out in today’s marketplace by challenging the conventional rules of programming and scheduling.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to be teaming up with Kevin Reilly, Sarah Aubrey and the entire TNT team in this unique endeavor,” said Shyamalan. “To be part of such a beloved brand likeTales from the Crypt, something I grew up watching, and to also have the chance to push the boundaries of genre television as a whole, is an inspiring opportunity that I can’t wait to dive into.”
TNT’s new horror block marks the latest incarnation ofTales from the Crypt, which originated as a 1950’s EC Comics series created byWilliam Gaines. In addition to Shyamalan and Rajan,James D. Stern(Looper,Freeheld) is executive-producingTales from the Cryptwith his companyEndgame Entertainment.Aloris Entertainment’sJohn Santilli(The English Teacher, Missing William) andDan McKinnon(Missing William) will also executive-produce. The original comics spawned multiple seasons of the cult classic show for HBO and became a worldwide brand.
TNT will announce the additional series to be featured in the horror block in the coming months.
