With Season 1 of “IT: Welcome to Derry” wrapping up, you may be looking for more shows about spooky towns from the mind of Stephen King. Hell, you might also be looking for another one that stars Pennywise actor Bill Skarsgård as a problem for some townsfolk. If this interests you, you’ll be happy to know that “Castle Rock” is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Created by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason, the short-lived “Castle Rock” brings together several of King’s characters, locations and concepts while dropping them into the titular city. Season 1 focuses on Henry Deaver (André Holland), a death row lawyer who is summoned to Shawshank State Penitentiary by The Kid (Skarsgård), a mysterious inmate who has been held captive for 27 years. Meanwhile, season 2 reveals the origin story of Annie Wilkes (Lizzy Caplan), the creepy nurse who was previously played by Kathy Bates in Rob Reiner’s “Misery” adaptation. There’s a lot more going on, but try to go into this one knowing as little as possible to reap all the grim rewards.
Ultimately, “Castle Rock” only lasted two seasons, but it’s the perfect show for viewers looking to cure their “IT: Welcome to Derry” hangover. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the similarities of the two series.
IT: Welcome to Derry and Castle Rock expand Stephen King’s story
“IT: Welcome to Derry” and “Castle Rock” are not direct adaptations of Stephen King stories. Instead, they exist within the parameters of its universal lore and boast nods to the author’s work, but both shows aim to expand his mythos. The original ideas are refreshing, as viewers familiar with King’s fiction and his many adaptations may be in for some real surprises.
Despite the originality of both series, they also embrace King’s character-driven style. There’s plenty of supernatural horror in both, of course, but King has always been more interested in exploring the evil that lurks in the human heart. Derry and Castle Rock are cursed places that bring out the worst in people, and the fantastical twist is just an added spooky bonus. “Castle Rock” and “IT: Welcome to Derry” bring this theme to the forefront, making for truly disturbing viewing.
The only negative thing to say about “Castle Rock” is that there are only two seasons. The series doesn’t overstay its welcome, which is great, but it ended while there was still plenty of gas left in the tank. Either way, both seasons are great, and that matters more than longevity.
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