'Sleeping Beauties': Release date, plot and everything that you need to know about AMC's adaptation of Stephen King's novel

The 2017 novel 'Sleeping Beauties' by Stephen and Owen King tells the gripping story of gender equality and individuality through a plague that knocks out half the population of the world.
PUBLISHED APR 17, 2019

In 2017, father-son duo Stephen and Owen King wrote the horror-fantasy novel 'Sleeping Beauties', which tells the story of gender equality and individuality through a horrific plague called the Aurora Flu that puts women to sleep immediately - enveloped in a sticky, cotton candy-type white cocoon. What makes this plague worse is that concerned family members and loved ones open up the cocoons only to realize that the women have turned into bloodthirsty killers. This crisis results in women across the world desperately trying to stay awake.

Upon initial release, the novel received high-praise from critics and readers alike. And, AMC - home to marvellous thrillers such as 'The Walking Dead' and its spin-offs, 'Better Call Saul' and the latest hit series 'Killing Eve' - is set to adapt the novel as a television series as it cements a pilot deal, with the idea of making it an open-ended series.

According to the information available to us, it doesn't look like senior King will have much to do with the production of the television series as only Owen has been bought on board to write the pilot script. You can listen to the duo elaborate on their project here:

Release date

At the moment, AMC has only committed to the pilot episode that Owen is set to write. So release dates are uncertain.

Plot

Set in the near future in a small Appalachian town, 'Sleeping Beauties' has all the classic horror and thriller components quintessential to a King story. As women continue to fall prey to the mysterious Aurora Flu, the men are left alone to their primal instincts. It is, however, soon revealed that only one woman across the world is immune to the sleeping disease, Evie. Is she a medical anomaly or a demon? Or is she mankind's only chance to figure out what the plague really is and what happens to the women after they fall under its spell.

The creators

Michael Sugar and Ashley Zalta as executive producers

Producer Michael Sugar attends The Hollywood Reporter's 4th Annual Nominees Night at Spago on February 8, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Getty Images)

Oscar-winning producer Michael Sugar and Ashley Zalta will executive produce the series for AMC. This isn't Sugar and Zalta's first project together. They have previously executive produced Netflix's mystery drama series 'The OA' and 'Maniac'. Sugar is also best known for producing 'Spotlight', '13 Reasons Why' and 'The Knick'. “Owen and Stephen King found the perfect canvas to tell a haunting and gripping story that sparks a relevant conversation about gender equality and individuality,” Zalta was reported saying. “We couldn’t be more excited about this collaboration with the Kings and with AMC, who have so often boldly redefined genres.”

Trailer

AMC has only just committed to a pilot episode, so there are no whereabouts for the trailer. MEA WW will update this story once the trailer is released.

Where to watch

The series will be available to watch on AMC. 

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