The Exorcist (TV series)
The Exorcist is an American horror drama television series created by Jeremy Slater, serving as a direct sequel to the 1973 film The Exorcist. The series premiered on Fox on September 23, 2016, and ran for two seasons.
Overview:
The series follows two Catholic priests, Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) and Father Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels), as they confront cases of demonic possession. The first season is set in Chicago and focuses on the Rance family, who are targeted by a powerful demon. The second season shifts the setting to a foster home in rural Washington state, where Father Tomas and Father Marcus encounter new cases of possession and continue their battle against evil.
Season 1:
The first season introduces the Rance family: Angela (Geena Davis), her husband Henry (Alan Ruck), and their daughters Katherine (Brianne Howey) and Casey (Hannah Kasulka). As strange occurrences plague their home, Angela believes her daughter Casey is possessed. She seeks help from Father Tomas, a young and idealistic priest. Meanwhile, Father Marcus, a hardened and experienced exorcist, is haunted by his past. Their paths converge as they uncover a conspiracy within the Church and confront the demon Pazuzu.
Season 2:
The second season sees Father Tomas and Father Marcus traveling the country, assisting those afflicted by demonic possession. They encounter Andrew Kim (John Cho), a former child psychologist running a foster home for troubled children on a secluded island off the coast of Washington state. As strange events begin to occur, it becomes clear that one of the children is possessed, forcing Father Tomas and Father Marcus to confront a new and dangerous evil.
Cast and Characters:
- Alfonso Herrera as Father Tomas Ortega
- Ben Daniels as Father Marcus Keane
- Geena Davis as Angela Rance/Regan MacNeil (Season 1)
- Hannah Kasulka as Casey Rance (Season 1)
- Brianne Howey as Katherine Rance (Season 1)
- Alan Ruck as Henry Rance (Season 1)
- Kurt Egyiawan as Brother Bennett
- John Cho as Andrew Kim (Season 2)
Reception:
The Exorcist television series received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its atmosphere, performances, and faithfulness to the source material. However, ratings declined in the second season, and Fox canceled the series in May 2018.
Connection to the Film:
The series establishes a direct connection to the original Exorcist film through the character of Angela Rance, who is revealed to be Regan MacNeil (the possessed child from the film), now living under an assumed identity to escape her past. This connection allowed the series to explore the long-term consequences of demonic possession and its impact on the MacNeil family.