The world of Friday the 13th is getting a chilling new chapter, as rising star Callum Vinson (Chucky, Long Bright River) has officially joined the cast of Crystal Lake, the highly anticipated prequel series from Peacock and indie powerhouse A24. Vinson steps into the iconic role of Jason Voorhees, the infamous hockey-masked killer whose legacy has haunted Camp Crystal Lake for generations.
The series, created, written, and executive produced by Brad Caleb Kane, will delve deep into the dark origins of the Voorhees family, with a fresh take on the mythology that has defined the franchise since its debut in 1980. Crystal Lake promises to reimagine and expand the world that horror fans have come to know, bringing new emotional depth, psychological complexity, and suspense to the blood-soaked legend.
One of the most pivotal characters in the Friday the 13th saga, Pamela Voorhees, is being reimagined for modern audiences with Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me, Brokeback Mountain) taking on the iconic role. Unlike previous portrayals, this version of Pamela is said to be a former singer who gave up her career to care for her son Jason, a child with special needs.
Her descent into madness begins after a personal tragedy—the presumed drowning of her son in the infamous lake, sets her on a vengeful killing spree.
The story of Pamela's unraveling and the early days of Camp Crystal Lake will form the emotional and narrative core of the series. Her trauma, grief, and eventual transformation into a killer serve as the catalyst for the events that follow throughout the broader Friday the 13th mythology.
Jason Voorhees, who would later become the franchise's unstoppable slasher icon, is depicted here in his formative years. Although Vinson's role is listed as a recurring guest star, the presence of Jason in the series suggests that audiences will witness his psychological evolution, possibly from a misunderstood and bullied boy into the silent, menacing killer fans recognize today.
In the original lore, Jason drowned as a child due to the negligence of camp counselors, prompting his mother's revenge-fueled massacre. He later witnessed her gruesome decapitation, which triggered his own series of brutal killings. With Crystal Lake, these early traumas are expected to be explored in greater detail, adding new layers to a character previously defined largely by physicality and fear.
Alongside Vinson and Cardellini, the series brings together an impressive ensemble of talent, including Nick Cordileone (Warrior), Joy Suprano (Fleishman Is in Trouble, Best Foot Forward), Danielle Kotch (Director's Cut), and Phoenix Parnevik (Bel-Air, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead).
Cordileone is set to portray Ralph, potentially a reimagining of “Crazy Ralph,” the doom-proclaiming town eccentric who warned campers of the “death curse” in the original two films. Suprano will play Rita, a character whose background remains under wraps; Kotch assumes the role of Claudette, likely a nod to Claudette Hayes, one of the original 1980 film’s first victims; Parnevik stars as Barry, another name tied to Friday the 13th lore as one of Pamela’s earliest kills.
The show also stars William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins, and Gwendolyn Sundstrom, though their roles have yet to be revealed.
The original characters, Claudette Hayes and Barry Jackson, were portrayed by Debra S. Hayes and Willie Adams, respectively.
The titular location, Crystal Lake, is more than just a backdrop; it's a central figure in the story. A place steeped in mystery, grief, and violence, the lake and its surrounding woods have served as a breeding ground for unspeakable horrors. In the prequel, audiences will likely see the camp before its descent into infamy, offering a glimpse into how the town and the lake became synonymous with tragedy and terror.
Created by Victor Miller, Jason Voorhees has been portrayed by numerous actors across the franchise’s twelve films, including Ari Lehman, Warrington Gillette, Steve Dash, Richard Brooker, Ted White, Tom Morga, C.J. Graham, Kane Hodder, Ken Kirzinger, and Derek Mears. Each brought their own distinct physicality and menace to the character.
The series is executive produced by A24, Brad Caleb Kane, Marc Toberoff, Victor Miller, Robert M. Barsamian, Robert P. Barsamian, and Stuart Manashil.
Tags: friday the 13th, crystal lake, peacock, a24, callum vinson