Spooky season is coming, and so all the programmers, networks, and streamers are charting out their horror, thrillers, or sinister content for October. Netflix is doing the same with “The Watcher,” a new creepy whodunnit limited series from producer Ryan Murphy, who is known for his mega-deal with the streamer and pumping out star-studded content like “The Prom,” The Politician,” “Hollywood,” and more recently the serial killer series, “Dahmer.”
In terms of names, “The Watcher” isn’t very different: Murphy’s amassed an A-list cast which includes Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Coolidge, coming off “The White Lotus” success, Margo Martindale, Mia Farrow, Christopher McDonald, Richard Kind and more.
Directed by Paris Barclay, Henry Joost, and Ariel Schulman— Schulman and Joost, known for “Paranormal Activity 3” and 4, “Nerve,” and “Project Power”— and written by Murphy and Ian Brennan, the series follows the true story of a married couple who, after moving into their dream home in New Jersey, are harassed through letters signed by a stalker named The Watcher.
The married couple is played by Watts and Cannavale, and the Watcher? You’ll just have to watch and find out. Watts told EW last year that the Watts the original “freaky” article—referencing The Cut‘s 2018 piece on this terrifying story—inspired her deep dive into terrifying stalker territory. “It’s a genre that you know I love,” she told EW last year.
“Yeah, that article is so freaky. That’s what got me in!” Shortly after moving into their dream home, the couple was met with an onslaught of disturbing handwritten notes claiming to be from the house’s decades-long guardian, who’s none too pleased with the new tenants. Interesting premise.
“The Watcher” is scheduled to premiere on Netflix, on October 13. Watch the first trailer below.