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The Institute release date confirmed – first look at Stephen King adaptation with Ben Barnes

The Shadow and Bone actor stars in the new MGM+ series.

Ben Barnes in The Institute, about to walk into a building in the night and wearing a radio and weapon strap.

MGM+

Published: Friday, 6 June 2025 at 1:27 pm

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Stephen King is no stranger to a screen adaptation of his many works, and now we're set to get a brand new TV series based on one of his books, The Institute, courtesy of MGM+.

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As well as giving us a sneak peek of what's to come in the new sci-fi, we also now have a confirmed premiere date for the eight-part series.

Coming to MGM+ on 13th July, the series sees Joe Freeman (son of The Responder actor Martin Freeman) take on his first starring role as teen genius Luke Ellis.

After being kidnapped, Luke awakens at The Institute, "a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did and who are all possessed of unusual abilities".

The synopsis continues: "In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes) has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide."

Joe Freeman as Luke Ellis in The Institute lying in a chair, with wrist restraints and headphones on.

Joe Freeman as Luke Ellis in The Institute. MGM+

The series is being executive produced by King himself and Jack Bender (From), so something tells us this is going to be quite the gripping thriller.

As well as Freeman, the cast of The Institute also includes Ben Barnes, who is known for his roles in Shadow and Bone, Westworld and the Chronicles of Narnia film franchise.

The rest of the cast includes Mary-Louise Parker, Simone Miller, Fionn Laird, Hannah Galway, Julian Richings, Robert Joy and Martin Roach.

Bender, who is known for his work on various acclaimed shows like The Sopranos, Lost and Game of Thrones, is also in the directing chair.

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While the first-look pictures of the series don't quite give too much away, it's clear that there's certainly a sense of eeriness about everything. In one picture, we see Luke strapped into a chair with headphones, looking at what seems to be projected images on the walls of a small white room.

Elsewhere, we get a glimpse of Barnes in action as Jamieson, looking serious as he prepares to walk into a building. What is he getting himself into?

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The Institute will premiere on MGM+ on 13th July.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Morgan Cormack, smiling against a lime green background

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.

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