Peacock’s upcoming thriller “Hysteria” has announced its leading lady. Julie Bowen (“Modern Family“) will star as Linda Campbell, mother of a teen outcast who begins experiencing instances of the supernatural during the Satanic Panic wave that swept the US in the 1980s. She has to reevaluate what she knows about her son, while navigating the terror of Satanism in her midwestern town.
The series is written and executive produced by Matthew Scott Kane. Following a group of teenage misfits, who try to take advantage of the widespread hysteria. Touting themselves as a satanic metal band, they gain attention using the allure of the occult. Until they become suspects in a series of kidnappings, murders, and otherwise supernatural goings on in their town.
Bowen’s previous roles have included not just “Modern Family,” but shows like “ER”, “Boston Legal,” and “LOST.” It’ll be refreshing to see her take up a dramatic role surrounding horror. Horror gets a bad rep, but there are some greats like Sarah Paulson and Toni Colette who have shown significant chops in the genre.
The series is being produced by UCP, a division of Universal’s Studio Group. Kane won’t be alone on this project either. He’s joined by multiple executive producers, including John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein, Chris Bender and Jake Weiner. President of the Writers Guild of America West David A. Goodman serves as showrunner. No word yet on when the series premieres, but we’ll keep an eye out.
