MGM+ has released the first trailer and images for The Institute, a new psychological thriller series based on the novel by Stephen King. The show premieres July 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
A Facility for Gifted—and Abducted—Kids
The Institute centers on teen genius Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman), who is kidnapped and taken to a secretive facility known only as The Institute. There, he finds other kids with strange abilities who all arrived under the same circumstances—abduction. The place is run by a shadowy staff, led by Mary-Louise Parker’s Ms. Sigsby.
A Cop with a Past
In a quiet nearby town, former police officer Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes) is trying to rebuild his life. His path crosses with Luke’s, setting off a chain of events that links the outside world to the disturbing experiments happening inside The Institute.
The Team Behind the Series
The series is directed by Jack Bender and written by Benjamin Cavell, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Stephen King, Gary Barber, Sam Sheridan, Ed Redlich, and Bender.
Cast
The series stars, Mary-Louise Parker as Ms. Sigsby, Ben Barnes as Tim Jamieson, Joe Freeman as Luke Ellis, Simone Miller as Kalisha, Fionn Laird as Nick, Hannah Galway as Wendy, Julian Richings as Stackhouse, Robert Joy as Dr. Hendricks, andMartin Roach as Chief Ashworth.
Premiere Details
The Institute premieres Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on MGM+.
About the Source Material
The series adapts Stephen King’s 2019 novel The Institute, which explores themes of authority, control, and resistance through the lens of telepathic and telekinetic children.
Watch the trailer:
