Stephen King Meets True Detective In HBO's Dark Murder Mystery Series
Among the many TV shows based on Stephen King books, HBO's "The Outsider" delivers an eerie murder mystery that fans of "True Detective" will love.
Adapting King's 2018 horror novel of the same name, "The Outsider" aired on HBO in 2020. The 10-episode series incorporates creepy supernatural elements, though it all begins with the murder of a boy in a small Georgia town. Detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) takes charge of the case, but nothing adds up, even after Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman) is arrested for the crime. The addition of private detective Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo) makes matters even more interesting, as her unconventional approach to the investigation helps uncover the sinister forces tormenting the town.
Mixing personal tragedy with horror, "The Outsider" takes time to develop its story and characters, recalling the slow-burn, character-driven narratives of each "True Detective" season. Critics praised "The Outsider" for its gripping suspense and impressive acting performances. For the most part, general audiences enjoyed "The Outsider" for its similarities to crime shows like "True Detective," yet some felt that its story threads became too convoluted over time.
What did Stephen King think of HBO's The Outsider?
Better known for horror-forward stories like "It" and "The Shining," Stephen King took a slightly different approach when he wrote "The Outsider," beginning with a grounded crime procedural that gradually spirals into a supernatural thriller. When HBO brought his novel to life on screen, King took to social media to express his approval. "THE OUTSIDER is one of the best adaptations of my work. Hope you'll watch it," King wrote on X ahead of the show's premiere.
King shared more about his approach to writing "The Outsider" during an appearance on NPR's "Fresh Air" in 2020. "One of the things that I really loved about writing 'The Outsider' was I was able to take police work in a very rational who-done-it or how-done-it story about a man who could be in two places at the same time," he said. "I had a chance to use all the bells and whistles of police procedurals, which I also love, and combine them with the horror story."
Months after "The Outsider" premiered, King revealed that a second season was in the works. However, HBO later opted to cancel the series, with network chief Casey Bloys citing concerns about the proposed story for Season 2. Fortunately, "The Outsider" works as a miniseries that keeps viewers engrossed from beginning to end.