Back in May of this year, Scriber released Stephen King’s The Outsider, the prolific author’s latest novel, and it’s already now getting a small screen adaptation from HBO!

Variety reports that Ben Mendelsohn (Ready Player One) will star in the series adaptation, with Jason Bateman on board to direct the first two episodes. Bateman will also exec produce.

In the series, a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a local boy leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe to be real, as an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case.

MRC is the studio and will produce along with Aggregate and Temple Hill Entertainment. Mendelsohn will also produce in addition to starring. Richard Price serves as writer and executive producer. Marty Bowen of Temple Hill will also executive produce along with Michael Costigan of Aggregate and Jack Bender.

In the 576-page novel…

“An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.

An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.

As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face?.”