The Outsider (HBO) - (2020)

About The Outsider

The Outsider is a horror crime drama from HBO, based on Stephen King's 2018 novel of the same name. The series premiered on January 12, 2020, and follows an investigation into the gruesome murder of a local boy and the mysterious force surrounding the case.

Making / Production

This HBO series was adapted by Richard Price, a celebrated crime novelist and screenwriter, known for his gritty realism and strong dialogues. The show was executive produced by Price along with Stephen King, Marty Bowen, Jack Bender, and others.

Actors

• Ben Mendelsohn as Detective Ralph Anderson: The wisened detective at the heart of the story, Mendelsohn infuses Anderson with a potent mix of frustration, determination, and vulnerability.
• Cynthia Erivo as Holly Gibney: A gifted private investigator with uncanny ability, Erivo gives a standout performance that is both intensely focused and quietly compassionate.
• Bill Camp as Howie Gold: The attorney representing the accused, Camp gives a solid performance, portraying his character's unshakeable belief in his client's innocence.
• Mare Winningham as Jeannie Anderson: The loving wife of Ralph Anderson providing support in the midst of the chaos. Winningham portrays Jeannie with both compassion and wisdom.
• Paddy Considine as Claude Bolton: The local strip club bouncer who becomes intertwined in the plot, Considine delivers a layered performance that balances toughness with a surprising depth of feeling.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Despite being based on Stephen King's novel, the show diverges from the source material in several ways.
• The peculiar character of Holly Gibney played by Cynthia Erivo also appears in another one of King's book-based TV adaptations, Mr. Mercedes.
• One of HBO's most-watched debut series, The Outsider averaged over 9 million viewers per episode across all platforms.

Quotes

• "An outsider knows an outsider." - Holly Gibney.
• "You only understand the shape of a problem once you've lived with it." - Ralph Anderson.
• "People have a radar for sincerity." - Jeannie Anderson.

Music, Soundtrack

• The haunting and atmospheric score of the series was composed by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans.
• The soundtrack also features songs from artists like Bach, The Misfits, and The Spinners.