"Crystal Lake" Slashes to a 2026 Release: Your Guide to the "Friday the 13th" Prequel!

Get ready to head back to Camp Crystal Lake! The highly anticipated Friday The 13th prequel series from A24 and Peacock, titled "Crystal Lake," is officially set to hit screens in 2026.

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on "Crystal Lake"

• The Friday the 13th prequel series, "Crystal Lake," is confirmed for release in 2026.
• It'll stream on Peacock in the US and Sky/NOW in the UK and Ireland.
• Linda Cardellini stars as a younger Pamela Voorhees, with Callum Vinson playing young Jason.

The Bloody Details: When and Where to Watch "Crystal Lake"

Good news, horror hounds! The long-awaited Friday the 13th prequel series, "Crystal Lake," is officially scheduled to premiere in 2026. While we don't have a specific date yet, the confirmation comes thanks to a new deal with British company Sky, which acquired the series for broadcast in the UK and Ireland.

This means US viewers can expect "Crystal Lake" to land on Peacock when it drops, as it's a co-production with A24 and the NBCUniversal streamer. For those across the pond, Sky and its streaming service NOW will be your go-to for all the gory goodness.

Filming has been in full swing all summer, which is exciting news for fans who have been eagerly awaiting fresh content from the iconic slasher franchise. This marks the first new project in the Friday the 13th universe since the 2009 reboot film, so the anticipation is real!

Unmasking the Camp Counselors and Voorhees Family Behind the Scenes

The "Crystal Lake" series is diving deep into the origins of the infamous Camp Crystal Lake, with a focus on Pamela Voorhees, the original killer from the 1980 film. And guess who's stepping into those shoes?

Linda Cardellini (you know her from Dead to Me and Freaks and Geeks) is taking on the iconic role of Pamela Voorhees. We're told her character will be reimagined as a former singer who gave up her career to raise a special needs child. Her tragic descent into grief and madness, following her son's drowning, will be central to the prequel's story.

And yes, Callum Vinson (seen in Chucky) is set to play a young Jason Voorhees himself, giving us a look at the future slasher's early life.

But they're not alone in this terrifying tale! The cast is shaping up with a mix of new and familiar faces:

• William Catlett (A Thousand and One, Constellation) as Levon Brooks, reportedly in a major role that might uncover the camp's dark past.
• Devin Kessler (Godfather of Harlem)
• Cameron Scoggins (Shades of Blue, Nashville)
• Gwendolyn Sundstrom
• Nick Cordileone (Warrior) as Crazy Ralph, a character from the original Friday the 13th.
• Danielle Kotch (Director's Cut) as Claudette, another character from the first movie.
• Phoenix Parnevik (Bel-Air) as Barry, also from the original film.
• Nancy Nagrant (The Equalizer, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Kay Christy, a relative of Steve Christy from the 1980 film.
• Joy Suprano (Fleishman is in Trouble)

Behind the camera, we've got a talented team bringing this vision to life:

• Showrunner, Writer, Executive Producer: Brad Caleb Kane (known for It: Welcome to Derry)
• Directors (multiple episodes):
  • Michael Lennox (Derry Girls, Say Nothing) – also an Executive Producer
  • Celine Held & Logan George (Caddo Lake, Topside)
  • Quyen Tran (Sirens, The Pitt)
• Executive Producers: A24, Marc Toberoff, Victor Miller (original Friday the 13th writer), Robert M. Barsamian, Robert P. Barsamian, Stuart Manashil, Tyson Bidner, Michael Lennox, and Horror Inc.

Diving Deep into the "Friday the 13th" Legacy and its Impact

It's been a minute since we've had a new Friday the 13th story. The franchise has seen its ups and downs, but the original 1980 film remains a genre-defining classic. Released just two years after John Carpenter's Halloween, it really cemented and popularized the slasher genre, giving us that iconic summer camp setting and some truly memorable, gruesome kills.

Fun fact: The original Friday the 13th, directed by Sean S. Cunningham, grossed an impressive $59.8 million worldwide on a tiny budget of just $550,000! That's some serious bang for your buck, and it's why we've had so many sequels. The first film's shock twist revealing Pamela Voorhees as the killer, avenging her son, set the stage for one of horror's most enduring sagas.

Speaking of the originals, if you're looking to refresh your memory (or scare yourself silly for the first time), the first three Friday the 13th movies – Friday the 13th, Friday the 13th - Part 2, and Friday The 13th - Part III – are currently streaming on Peacock! Perfect timing to catch up before the prequel drops.

What to Expect from This Iconic Horror Prequel: A Deeper Dive

"Crystal Lake" is an eight-episode series that promises to be an expanded prequel to that chilling 1980 film. The focus on Pamela Voorhees's backstory is a fascinating direction, offering a chance to explore the psychological depths of a character often overshadowed by her infamous son.

Fans can anticipate a deep dive into what drove Pamela to her murderous rampage, offering new context to the entire franchise. It's not just about the kills; it's about the killer's journey. A24 is known for its high-quality, often unsettling, horror content, so we can expect a well-crafted, genuinely frightening experience that honors the legacy while bringing something fresh to the table.

Katie Keenan, Group Director of Acquisitions for Sky UK and Europe, summed up the excitement surrounding the project perfectly:

"We are so excited to bring Crystal Lake, the back storyline to the iconic Friday the 13th franchise. Snapping up this show demonstrates our commitment to bringing our customers the best US drama series from one of the hottest US studios. We are thrilled to be in partnership with A24 and Peacock on this project."

— Katie Keenan, Sky UK and Europe

This partnership speaks volumes about the quality and potential of "Crystal Lake."

Get Your Horror Fix: Other Chills You Can Stream on Peacock Now

While you're waiting for "Crystal Lake" to arrive in 2026, Peacock is already a pretty good spot for horror fans. Besides the first three Friday the 13th movies, you can fill your fright quota with a bunch of other terrifying titles. They've got:

• Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3
• The Purge (the original)
• The first three Scream films
• Most of the Leprechaun franchise
• Stephen King's The Mist
• The classic The Omen (1976)
• Ouija: Origin Of Evil
• The Ring

So, there's plenty to keep you busy and spooked while we count down the days until we can return to "Crystal Lake."

Frequently Asked Questions About the "Crystal Lake" Series

When is "Crystal Lake" coming out? "Crystal Lake" is officially slated to premiere in 2026. Where can I watch the "Friday the 13th" prequel series? In the US, "Crystal Lake" will stream on Peacock. For viewers in the UK and Ireland, it will be available on Sky and its streaming service NOW. What is the plot of the "Crystal Lake" series? The series serves as an expanded prequel to the 1980 Friday the 13th film, focusing on the backstory of Pamela Voorhees (Jason's mother) and her tragic transformation into a killer after her son's supposed drowning. Who is playing Pamela Voorhees in "Crystal Lake"? The iconic role of Pamela Voorhees will be played by Linda Cardellini.

Sources

• Bloody Disgusting
• Deadline Film + TV
• Just Jared
• ComicBook.com
• Get Your Comic On (GYCO)
• Broadband TV News
• Movie Web