Adrienne Barbeau to return to Shudder’s Creepshow for Gray Matter episode

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for thrills, chills, and all things that go bump in the night has announced the casting of some key players for its upcoming horror anthology series. As many of you may recall, Creepshow is based on the 1982 film written by Stephen King and directed by zombie horror royalty, George A. Romero. When the iconic and spooktacular showcase makes its return Adrienne Barbeau (THE FOG), Giancarlo Esposito (BREAKING BAD), and Tobin Bell (SAW) will star in the Stephen King story "Gray Matter," which is set to be adapted by Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi (THE COMMUTER) series showrunner and THE WALKING DEAD alum Greg Nicotero on directorial duties.

In “Gray Matter,” Doc and Chief, two old-timers in a small, dying town, brave a storm to check on Richie, an alcoholic single father, after encountering his terrified son at the local convenience store. The story, first published in 1973, is part of King’s best-selling 1978 collection, Night Shift.

“I feel I’m in great company getting the opportunity to direct a story written by Steve,” said Nicotero. “Between Salem’s Lot, Pet Sematary and The Stand, I’ve always found his stories rich in relatable characters forced into supernatural situations beyond their control—the everyday person’s primal fears. To visualize ‘Gray Matter’ for Creepshow with the help of Adrienne, Giancarlo and Tobin was about as good as it gets for a horror fan from Pittsburgh!”

Of course, this won't be Barbeau's first dance with The Creeper, as she starred in the original CREEPSHOW presentation 37 years ago as "Billie" of the 1982 segment, "The Crate."

“I was thrilled when Greg asked me to join the Creepshow world once again,” said Barbeau. “And then working with Tobin and Giancarlo, with Greg as our director, well, that was the icing on the cake — no, not that cake. Oh, you know what I mean.”

The upcoming series is expected to give fans of the original series some familiar vibes while simultaneously welcoming newcomers to the frightening fray. Old school fans should also be pleased to learn that John Harrison, who was 1st Assistant Director on 1982’s Creepshow and composed its iconic theme, is poised to direct several segments of the series.

With “Gray Matter,” Shudder has confirmed eight of the twelve segments that will make up Creepshow’ s six-episode season. Previously announced segments include “By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain” by Joe Hill, “House of the Head” by BIRD BOX's Josh Malerman, “The Companion” by Joe R. Lansdale, Kasey Lansdale, & Keith Lansdale, “The Man in the Suitcase” by Christopher Buehlman, “All Hallows Eve” by Bruce Jones, “Night of the Paw” by John Esposito, and “Bad Wolf Down” by Rob Schrab. Additional titles and casting will be announced soon.

Welcoming Barbeau back to the series feels right to me. "The Crate" is one of my personal favorites of the series, right alongside "We're Already Dead" starring the late and great Leslie Neilsen (AIRPLANE, THE NAKED GUN series). The addition of Esposito and Bell is also some inspired casting, as both actors have proven themselves to be star players in stories both serious and scary.