Cinemax lands Robert Kirkman’s exorcism drama Outcast

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

"The Walking Dead" creator Robert Kirkman is expanding his TV universe to the world of exorcisms with The Hollywood Reporter sharing that Kirkman's upcoming exorcism-based comic "Outcast" will soon be headed to the small screen.

Following a multiple-cable network bidding war, Cinemax has landed "Outcast", a drama based on Kirkman's upcoming Image/Skybound comic of the same name. The cable network has given a script commitment with large penalty to the project. 

The comic and potential series centers on…

…Kyle Barnes, who has been plagued by possession since he was a child. Now an adult, he embarks on a spiritual journey to find answers, but what he uncovers could mean the end of life on Earth as we know it.

The comic will debut in 2014.

Kirkman will serve as executive producer alongside David Alpert of Circle of Confusion. Says Kirkman of "Outcast"…

“Despite the success of The Walking Dead, Outcast is only my second foray into the horror genre. I think Kyle Barnes is every bit as compelling as Rick Grimes and demonic possession is way scarier than zombies–so this is going to be fun.”

Kirkman also said "Outcast" will explore similar themes to "The Walking Dead" — most notably the urgency that comes with loved ones affected by an outside force (possession instead of whatever is behind the zombie outbreak).

"There are some similarities but hopefully we'll be [covering] new ground that makes this very different from The Walking Dead. This is going to be a big, epic story with a lot of characters and we'll probably lose a few along the way. I don't know if it's quite as much of a bloodbath as The Walking Dead has turned out to be but there certainly is an element of, 'No one is safe.' "

Sounds fun to me! We'll keep you posted on news regarding "Outcast" as we hear it!