A majorStephen Kingtrend ended with an 8-year-old 91% RT series, but an upcoming adaptation of the author’s story can finally end the drought and revive the forgotten streak. Although many newStephen King television and movie adaptationskeep coming out every once in a while, 2025 has been noticeably one of the best years for on-screen takes on his stories.
The year started strong with an adaptation ofThe Monkey, which drove good numbers at the global box office. Audiences seemingly slept onMike Flanagan’sThe Life of Chuck, but it still garnered praise from viewers and critics worldwide. Upcoming adaptations, likeThe Long Walk,The Running Man, andIT: Welcome to Derry, also seem to show immense potential.
However, in all these new takes on Stephen King’s works, one seems even more exciting than others because it can finally end an adaptation drought that has dawned on TV shows based on the author’s work.
Stephen King Should Make His First TV Adaptation Cameo Since Mr. Mercedes In The Institute
Stephen King Hasn’t Cameoed In A TV Adaptation Since 2017
There was a time when Stephen King often showed up in his TV and movie adaptations in small but memorable roles. These cameos rarely held heft in the overarching narratives of the respective movies and TV shows but oftencame off as fun and playful reminders of the King of Horror’s active involvement with the projects.
Unfortunately, it has been a while since Stephen King appeared as a character in one of his own TV adaptations. His last physical cameo was in 2017’sMr. Mercedes, in which he briefly showed up in season 1, episode 6, “People in the Rain.” The episode featured a scene where King can be seen as a dead patron at a diner, with a knife sticking out of his neck.
Given how Jack Bender, who directed episodes ofMr. Mercedes, is also helming the upcoming TV adaption of King’sThe Institute, the upcoming show has the perfect opportunity to drop another cameo from the author.Stephen King, too, is involved with the series as an executive producer, which further increases the likelihood of his appearance.
It must be noted that the 2020adaptation of Stephen King’sThe Standalso had a blink-or-miss cameo from the author. However, inThe Stand, King was only portrayed as a man on a poster and did not physically show up on the screen.It: Chapter Twoalso featured him, but that is a film rather than a TV adaptation.
Stephen King Appearing In The Institute Would Likely Continue His Recent TV Cameo Role Streak
His Appearance Would Offer His Long-Time Followers A Nostalgic Nod
If executed well,The Institutewill likely perform well both critically and commercially, regardless of whetherStephen Kinghas a cameo in it. However, it would still be great to see the author in the series asit would serve as the perfect callback to his previous involvement with his TV shows.
Given how King showed up as a Diner Patron inMr. MercedesandUnder the Dome(both of which were directed by Jack Bender), it would be fun to see him in a similar role again inThe Institute.The Instituteis seemingly set in its own standalone universe, butStephen King’s appearance would also loosely establish a fascinating connection between three shows based on his works.
The Institute
A kidnapped prodigy with special abilities, Luke, ends up at The Institute, while Tim, a former cop, seeks a new life in a nearby town. Their fates are inevitably linked.
