Amazon Studios greenlights horror event series THEM
July 30, 2018
Amazon Studios has greenlit the horror event series THEM from executive producer Lena Waithe (The Chi, Dear White People), writer and executive producer Little Marvin, and executive producers Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, and Michael Connelly with Vertigo Prime. The event series has received a two-season order, with the first being for THEM: Covenant which will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories. THEM is a production with Sony Pictures Television.
In THEM: Covenant, set in 1953, Alfred and Lucky Emory decide to move their family from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighbourhood. The family’s home on a tree lined, seemingly idyllic street becomes ground zero where malevolent forces both real and supernatural threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them.
“My heart was still pounding an hour after I heard this pitch. The show is edge of your seat scary and addictive while also being provocative and socially relevant ,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “We are thrilled to be in business with the incredibly talented Lena Waithe, Little Marvin and Vertigo.”
“Do you know your neighbours? Little Marvin’s fresh, relevant voice explores the horrors that lurk down the street, around the corner and even right next door in this season of our event series,” said Vernon Sanders, Co-Head of Television, Amazon Studios. “This is the perfect lean in, edge of your seat show for Prime Video customers and we can’t wait to deliver it.”
“Little Marvin’s script stayed with me for weeks after I read it,” said Lena Waithe. “He’s written something that’s provocative and terrifying. The first season will speak to how frightening it was to be black in 1953. It will also remind us that being black in 2018 is just as horrifying. This anthology series will examine the cultural divides among all of us and explore us vs THEM in a way we’ve never seen before.”
“I’ve always felt that dark, surreal times deserve dark, surreal mirrors to show us ourselves,” said Little Marvin. “And at this point in time one of the best ways to examine fractures in our world through the visceral and raw lens of horror. I’m beyond thrilled that our series has found its home with the fine folks at Amazon.”