The Stand cast members have already been unveiled. The TV series is an adaptation of the 1978 novel by the award-winning writer – Stephen King. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic society that details the breakdown of the society where ninety-nine percent of the world’s population is killed after an accidental release of a strain of influenza that has been modified for biological warfare. About 0.6% of the world’s population who are immune to the virus survive but now have to contend with the villain Randall Flagg, also called the Dark Man.
There have been various attempts at the adaptation of the book which is the longest of King’s published novels. With several failed film and series adaptations in the 1980s, a mini-series was released in 1994 with a toned-down version for television written by Stephen King. It was also in the works by CBS Films and Warner Bros to develop a feature-length film adaptation between 2011 and 2016 which was stopped for several reasons.
In September 2017, Stephen King himself revealed that there will be an extended TV series on CBS All Access. The adaptation was written and will be directed by Josh Boone. It is a 10-episode limited series and it has been confirmed that Stephen King himself will be rewriting the ending, production began in September 2019.
The Stand Cast: Who Will Join The New TV Series From Steven King’s Book?
1. James Marsden
James Marsden was among the first 6 of The Stand cast to be announced in June 2019. He is to feature as Stuart “Stu” Redman. According to the book, his character was the first man who was discovered to have immunity against the superflu. He is an intelligent but quiet man who rises to lead the survivors in the Free Zone. James is a former model, singer, and actor. He has featured in blockbusters like the X-Men film series, Superman Returns, The Best of Me, Hairspray, 27 Dresses, and The Butler.
2. Amber Heard
3. Whoopi Goldberg
EGOT winner Whoppi Goldberg is a big addition to The Stand cast. She would be portraying the role of a 108 years old woman named Abagail Freemantle/Mother Abagail who, as per the book, resides in a farmhouse not far from Hemingford Home, Nebraska.
4. Greg Kinnear
Kinnear has the right experience to suit his given role as Glen Bateman, a sociology associate professor who retired before the superflu hit. In Stephen King’s book, the character suffers from arthritis and also dreams about Mother Abagail.
5. Odessa Young
Odessa has had an interesting acting career. She featured in The Daughter which brought her critical acclaim. On The Stand, she will feature as Frances “Frannie” Goldsmith, a college student who in the bok finds herself pregnant by her wimpy boyfriend.
6. Henry Zaga
Henry rose to prominence with a role in MTV’s Teen Wolf where he featured as Josh Diaz. He has gone ahead to appear in some Netflix films like X0X0 and 13 Reasons Why. In this series, he features as a deaf and mute drifter who is 22 years old and named Nick Andros. He is on the Free Zone Committee as the leading thinker.
7. Jovan Adepo
The English actor is popular for his role as Michael Murphy in the TV series The Leftovers and the film Fences (2016). As part of The Stand, he will be taking on the role of Larry Underwood, an egocentric singer, and songwriter whose mother, per the book, describes as a “taker”. His various encounters after the superflu cause him to turn a new leaf.
8. Owen Teague
Teague is an upcoming actor with a budding acting career and his role as Harold Lauder as part of The Stand would be a priceless addition to his filmography. His most popular features include a role in the 4th season of Black Mirror (2017) and Bloodline (2015).
9. Brad William Henke
Brad had a robust career in the National and Arena Football League before turning to the movie industry. His breakthrough role came in Orange Is The New Black. As part of The Stand cast, Brad will star as Tom Cullen, intellectually challenged but possess foresight like Mother Abagail.
10. Daniel Sunjata
Daniel is known for playing the role of a gay Major League Baseball player in the play Take Me Out. His performance won him a Theatre World Award and a Tony Award nomination. He will portray as Cobb in The Stand.
The Stand cast members would surely be more than the aforementioned. There are speculations that Alexander Skarsgard is going to feature as Randall Flagg. Marilyn Manson who is contributing to the show’s music is said to also have a role.
