Now that the role of Pamela Voorhees has been cast, I’m back to being genuinely excited about the upcomingFriday the 13thprequel show. A TV series set beforetheFriday the 13thmovies, tentatively titledCrystal Lake, was first announced way back in 2022. At the time, original franchise creator Victor Miller was confirmed to be involved andHannibal’s Bryan Fuller was on board as a writer and executive producer, so there were a few reasons to be hopeful about the show.
Then, in May 2024, Fuller was fired from the series due to creative differences, which seemed to spell trouble. However, the latest announcement from the show’s development has reinstated my optimism. The greatLinda Cardellini has been cast to play Jason’s motherin the upcoming show. Pamela was the main villain of the originalFriday the 13thmovie, and isarguably a more interesting villain than Jason himself. This piece of casting news has restored my faith in theCrystal Lakeseries.
Linda Cardellini’s Casting As Jason’s Mom Is Great News For The Friday The 13th Prequel Show
Cardellini Has Been An Icon Since Freaks & Geeks
Cardellini’s casting is a promising sign fortheFriday the 13thTV show, becauseshe’s a really great actor with a lot of range. She got her big break with the lead role of Lindsay Weir in the cult classic teen dramedy seriesFreaks and Geeks. She’s since played comedic roles in shows likeDead to Me(for which she was Emmy-nominated) andNo Good Deedand dramatic roles in shows likeMad MenandBloodline.
TheFriday the 13thTV show is being developed for Peacock.
Cardellini hasn’t done a ton of work in the horror genre. She gave a great turn as Velma in the live-actionScooby-Doomovies in the early 2000s and she starred in the supernatural chillerThe Curse of La Lloronain 2019. Butregardless of her inexperience in horror, we know what Cardellini is capable of. She can be funny, she can be heartbreaking, she can be likable, she can be unlikable, she can be vulnerable, and she can be threatening. She’s a great choice to play young Pamela in aFriday the 13thprequel.
My Expectations Are Now Even Higher For The Crystal Lake Show
It Could Be A Real Horror Drama, Not Just A Fan-Service Slasher
Since theFriday the 13thseries has been stuck in development hell for years, there have been plenty of bumps in the road. But casting such a notable name — and such a versatile actor — means thatthis can be a full-blown horror drama, examining the emotional side of Jason’s origins. It’s not just a fan-service cash-in tangentially connected to a recognizable franchise; this could actually be a story worth telling, anchored by a gripping lead performance.
