Inspired by William Blatty’s 1971 book and the classic horror movie, “The Exorcist”, premiering September 23, is a serialized psychological thriller following two very different men — Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) and Father Marcus Brennan (Ben Daniels) — tackling the Rance family’s horrifying case of demonic possession and confronting the face of true evil.
FOX has released the San Diego Comic-Con trailer head of the series’ panel, which takes place tomorrow from 6:00-7:00 PM – Room 6A. It sounds as if they’re also showing the debut episode to the crow, which will be followed by a Q+A panel discussion with series stars Geena Davis, Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Hannah Kasulka, Brianne Howey and executive producer Jeremy Slater. I’ve seen the pilot and it’s pretty great, although it will never be on the level of the original. If anything, it’s another fun genre series that will eventually hit or miss with audiences.
“The Exorcist” pilot was written by Jeremy Slater and directed by Rupert Wyatt. The two executive produces with Rolin Jones, James Robinson, David Robinson, Barbara Wall and Roy Lee. 20th TV produces with Morgan Creek Prods.
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THE EXORCIST is a propulsive psychological thriller following two very different priests tackling one family’s case of horrifying demonic possession. FATHER TOMAS ORTEGA (Alfonso Herrera, “Sense8,” “The Chosen”) is the new face of the Catholic Church: progressive, ambitious and compassionate. He runs a small but loyal parish in the suburbs of Chicago. He has no idea that his quiet life is about to change forever.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, another priest finds himself locked in a life-and-death struggle with evil. FATHER MARCUS BRENNAN (Ben Daniels, “Flesh and Bone,” “House of Cards”) is a modern-day Templar Knight, an orphan raised since childhood by the Vatican to wage war against its enemies. Father Marcus is everything Father Tomas is not: relentless, abrasive and utterly consumed by his sacred mission.
Caught in the middle is the RANCE family, members of Tomas’ parish. On the surface, they’re a normal, suburban family, but all is not as it seems in this household. The patriarch, HENRY RANCE (guest star Alan Ruck, “Spin City,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”), is slowly but surely losing his mind. Eldest daughter KATHERINE (Brianne Howey, Scream Queens) has become a recluse who refuses to leave her room. Her younger sister, CASEY (Hannah Kasulka, “The Fosters”), thinks she’s hearing strange noises coming from inside the walls. And mother ANGELA (Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Geena Davis, “Commander in Chief,” “Thelma & Louise”) has been plagued by recurring nightmares, each more frightening than the last.
Angela believes there is something in the house, a demonic presence, growing stronger by the day. Desperate, she begs Father Tomas for help, unwittingly setting the naïve young priest on a collision course with Father Marcus. Separately, each faces an insurmountable task, but together they become the only hope against an evil force that has been mobilizing for centuries.
