The highly anticipated Friday the 13th prequel series, Crystal Lake, has officially wrapped production on its first season, bringing us one step closer to diving into the chilling backstory of Camp Crystal Lake and the Voorhees family.

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on Crystal Lake

  • Filming for the A24 and Peacock Friday the 13th prequel series, Crystal Lake, has officially wrapped Season 1.
  • Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane and co-star Cameron Scoggins shared the exciting news via Instagram.
  • The series is expected to premiere sometime in 2026 on Peacock in the US, and Sky/NOW in the UK and Ireland, starring Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees.
Big News From Camp Crystal Lake: Filming Is Officially Wrapped!

Alright, horror hounds, listen up! We've got some killer news straight from the shores of our favorite cursed camp. The much-talked-about Friday the 13th prequel series, Crystal Lake, from the masterminds at A24 and Peacock, has officially wrapped filming for its first season! Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane (who you might also know from It: Welcome to Derry) dropped the bombshell on Instagram, confirming that production is "almost sorta not quite done and dusted." Sounds like they’re just about ready to unleash a new era of terror on us!

This is a massive milestone for a show that's been building buzz since its announcement. Fans have been eagerly awaiting any updates, and this is a big one. It means all the on-set scares, chilling performances, and practical (hopefully!) effects are in the can, ready for post-production magic. Get ready to revisit the infamous location where it all began, but this time, you'll see it through a whole new, terrifying lens.

The Showrunner's Epic Wrap Party Announcement

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Brad Caleb Kane didn't just casually mention the wrap; he celebrated it with a heartfelt post that genuinely gets us hyped. He shared: "Crystal Lake wrap party was epic! I’m madly in love with and totally in awe of this stellar bunch of artists and humans. A fella couldn’t ask for a more talented and wonderful group of collaborators. S1 (almost sorta not quite) done and dusted. More please and thank you."

It’s clear that Kane and his team poured their hearts into this project, and that kind of passion usually translates into something special on screen. Knowing the crew had an "epic" wrap party hints at the camaraderie and dedication that went into bringing this iconic franchise back to life. This isn't just a job for them; it's a labor of love for one of horror's most enduring sagas.

"What a journey since June! To be a part of Crystal Lake has been the dream of a lifetime. Thank you to A24 & Peacock for the opportunity. Thank you to the INCREDIBLE crew for being the best group of people to be around everyday. And huge thanks to the true maestro Brad Caleb Kane who has taken on this legendary franchise with such respect, wit and infectious enthusiasm. Ya’ll ain’t ready for what this man is about to give you."

— Cameron Scoggins, Co-Star on Instagram

An Actor's Perspective on This Dream Project

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Co-star Cameron Scoggins (who plays Dorf, a recognizable character from the original film) echoed Kane's excitement, sharing his own celebratory message on Instagram. His words give us an even deeper peek into the set's atmosphere and the quality we can expect:

Scoggins’ mention of Brad Caleb Kane tackling the franchise "with such respect, wit, and infectious enthusiasm" is especially intriguing. The Friday the 13th films aren't exactly known for their wit, so this suggests a fresh, intelligent approach to the material while still honoring its gory roots. Imagine a Friday the 13th story that's not just scary but also clever? We are absolutely here for that! He added, "I cant wait for people to see this thing and for the fans of this franchise to get to spend more quality time with the beautifully colorful denizens of this infamously cursed town… and its most famous undying resident." This confirms we'll get to explore the town and its residents beyond the immediate camp chaos, which is a big win for lore fanatics.

Diving Deep into the Chilling Premise of Crystal Lake

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So, what exactly is Crystal Lake all about? This isn't just another slasher flick; it's an expanded prequel to the iconic 1980 Friday the 13th movie. This means we're going back in time to explore the origins of the terror, peeling back the layers to understand how Camp Crystal Lake became the blood-soaked legend we all know. The series is set to have eight episodes, giving it plenty of room to develop characters and weave a complex narrative.

At its core, Crystal Lake will delve into the tragic backstory of Pamela Voorhees, Jason's vengeful mother. The plot is expected to follow Pamela as a mother who gave up a singing career to raise her special needs child, only to take a dark, murderous turn after losing her son. This narrative promises a deeper, more emotional, and perhaps even sympathetic, look at the franchise’s original killer, something fans have rarely seen.

Who’s Bringing the Terror to Life: A Look at the Cast and Crew

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The series boasts an impressive ensemble, led by the incredibly talented Linda Cardellini (from Dead to Me and Freaks and Geeks) as the iconic Pamela Voorhees. Her casting alone signals a serious, character-driven approach to the material, suggesting a performance that will haunt us long after the credits roll. But she's not alone in this trip to terror town.

Meet the Residents of the Cursed Town and Camp

  • Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees
  • Callum Vinson as young Jason Voorhees
  • Zachary Branch reportedly as an adult Jason Voorhees in one episode
  • William Catlett as Levon Brooks (potentially the chief of police for Crystal Lake)
  • Devin Kessler as Briana Brooks
  • Cameron Scoggins as Dorf (the motorcycle cop from the original 1980 film)
  • Gwendolyn Sundstrom as Grace
  • Nick Cordileone as Crazy Ralph (yes, the doom-saying "You're all doomed!" guy is back!)
  • Danielle Kotch as Claudette (one of the first victims from the original film)
  • Phoenix Parnevik as Barry (another one of the original film's first victims)
  • Nancy Nagrant as Kay Christy (a relative of Steve Christy from the original Friday the 13th)
  • Joy Suprano as Rita
  • Victoria Russell as Celeste
  • Natalie Shaw as Pinky
  • Austin Colby as Shep

It's super exciting to see so many legacy characters from the original film making an appearance! This isn't just a new story; it’s one that deeply respects the foundation laid by Victor Miller’s 1980 classic. Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane has explicitly confirmed that Dorf is "one of many" legacy characters to appear, promising a rich tapestry of familiar faces and names woven into this new narrative.

The Creative Team Behind the Chills

Behind the camera, Brad Caleb Kane is serving as creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer. He initially joined the project after a previous showrunner, Bryan Fuller, departed in April 2024, getting things back on track by late August 2024. Kane has been vocal about his lifelong love for Friday the 13th, sharing that seeing Jason Voorhees' eyeball squeezed out in 3D at age 8 cemented his creative path. That's the kind of passion we want leading this! He joins other executive producers like Marc Toberoff, Victor Miller (the original Friday the 13th writer!), Rob Barsamian, and Stuart Manashil, ensuring the franchise’s legacy is in good hands.

Directing multiple episodes are Michael Lennox (who helms episodes 1-3), the duo Celine Held and Logan George (for episodes 4-6), and Quyen Tran (directing episodes 7-8). Michael Lennox also serves as an executive producer. This diverse directing team promises a fresh, dynamic visual style for the series, keeping us on the edge of our seats.

Where and When You Can Finally Watch Crystal Lake

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So, when can you finally plunge into the dark waters of Crystal Lake? The series is slated to premiere sometime in 2026. While a specific release date hasn't been announced yet, the wrap-up of filming means we're firmly on track for that timeline.

For our US horror fans, you'll be able to stream all eight episodes exclusively on Peacock. And for those across the pond in the UK and Ireland, Sky has acquired the series, meaning it will be available to watch on Sky and its streaming service, NOW, also in 2026. This wide distribution means more fans than ever will get to experience this exciting new chapter in the Friday the 13th saga!

The production took place in various locations across New Jersey, including West Milford for summer camp scenes, Ringwood for lake shots, and Blairstown, which famously stood in for downtown Crystal Lake in the original film. Some filming also happened in South Orange Village, all operating under the not-so-secret codename Mama’s Boy. Talk about a nod to the original queen of terror!

Why Crystal Lake Is a Game-Changer for the Franchise Crystal Lake Season 1 Filming Wraps: Get Ready for Jason's Origin Story! image 8

This series isn't just another spin-off; it's a monumental moment for the Friday the 13th franchise. It marks the first new project connected to the universe since the 2009 reboot movie, which was the twelfth film in the series. After years of legal battles over rights, the "Jason Universe" is finally ready to make a big splash, and Crystal Lake is leading the charge.

With A24, known for its critically acclaimed and often boundary-pushing horror films like Hereditary and The Witch, onboard as a producer, expectations are sky-high. This collaboration with Peacock signals a strategic move to expand the franchise in a "more commercial direction" while hopefully maintaining the artistic integrity A24 is famous for. This is a chance to redefine what a Friday the 13th story can be, moving beyond simple slasher tropes to deliver a truly deep, terrifying, and character-rich experience.

So, while we don't have an exact premiere date just yet, the wrap-up of filming is a huge step. It's time to sharpen those machetes (metaphorically, of course!) and get ready for Crystal Lake to take us back to where the nightmare began. It sounds like Brad Caleb Kane and his incredible team are cooking up something truly special that will honor the past while carving out a thrilling new future for Jason and Pamela Voorhees. We can't wait to see what chilling tales await us!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Upcoming Crystal Lake Series Crystal Lake Season 1 Filming Wraps: Get Ready for Jason's Origin Story! image 9 When is Crystal Lake expected to be released? The series is currently expected to premiere sometime in 2026, though a specific date has not been announced. Where can I watch Crystal Lake? In the United States, Crystal Lake will be available to stream exclusively on Peacock. For viewers in the UK and Ireland, the series will air on Sky and its streaming service, NOW. What is Crystal Lake about? Crystal Lake is a prequel series to the original 1980 Friday the 13th film. It will explore the backstory of Pamela Voorhees and the events that led to the terror at Camp Crystal Lake. Who are some of the main cast members? Linda Cardellini stars as Pamela Voorhees, with Callum Vinson playing young Jason Voorhees. Other cast members include William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins, Gwendolyn Sundstrom, Nick Cordileone as Crazy Ralph, and many more, including several legacy characters from the original film. Sources Crystal Lake Season 1 Filming Wraps: Get Ready for Jason's Origin Story! image 10
  • Brad Caleb Kane's Instagram posts
  • Cameron Scoggins' Instagram posts
  • Official announcements from A24, Peacock, and Sky