Frenzy! Interview Unveils Peacock's Pop-Horror Series Drenched in Satanic Panic
Hack the Hell out of Pop Culture:
That's right, y'all! Satanic Panic is back and stronger than ever. It's everywhere you look, from Stranger Things to that darn documentary about its origins, Satan Wants You. But what's Hysteria! got that sets it apart from the crowd? A hell of a lot, my friends!
Hysteria! is a new Peacock series that'll have you binge-watching for spooky season. It's set in a small Michigan town in 1989, where heavy metal-loving high school kids are causing a ruckus for their conservative parents. And if that isn't enough to tickle your fancy, there's a supernatural mystery lurking around too. Bruce Campbell, legendary cult movie star, is even gracing our screens as the local sheriff trying to keep it all together.
Grab a seat as I chat with creator Matthew Scott Kane and executive producer David A. Goodwin about the origins, intentions, the killer soundtrack, and all things Hysteria!
Io9, Cheryl Eddy: So, Hysteria! is taking Satanic Panic to new heights. How does it stand out from other works that cover the topic?
Matthew Scott Kane: Well, Cheryl, I steered clear of all Satanic Panic-related stuff for the past year or so to focus on the script I have now. But I reckon what we're doing is drawing connections between then and now. Folks, way back in the '80s, there were worries that your kids were being lured into Satanic underworlds by the Smurfs and He-Man and all sorts of cartoon characters. Sounds familiar, right? That's because it's much like what's happening today, with misinformation and reality warping.
David A. Goodwin: I'd say the core of the show is the relatable fear of parents about what their kids are getting up to. Every generation has their version of this. Satanic Panic's no exception, and it lets us step back in time for some old-school horror, crime procedural, and comedic fun.
Io9: Let's talk about heavy metal, since Hysteria! is obviously made by metalheads. What's your background with it? And did you compile a list of songs for the soundtrack?
Kane: My metal background? I was gifted a ton of albums for Christmases past. Iron Maiden, Metallica, you name it. I was even in a high school band, though we sure as hell weren't metal!
Jen Malone, our music supervisor, had a huge role in the soundtrack. About 75% of the songs were in the script to perfectly set the stage, while the other 25% was collaborative-Jen's knowledge of music is astounding, so she brought in a ton of great options.
Goodwin: I had never listened to metal before working on this show, but I've come to appreciate it now. The depth and richness of the music and lyrics is astonishing-there's more to it than meets the eye.
Io9: Bruce Campbell plays a to-die-for sheriff in Hysteria!. Did the role get tailored to him once he signed on, and is he the reason the show's in Michigan?
Kane: Bruce isn't the reason the show's in Michigan, but we're happy he's from there. The crew and I grew up in Southeast Michigan, and Bruce has been an inspiration since high school. He loved the script and jumped on board, even as the writers' strike hit. After that, he knocked it out of the park! It was an absolute blast to write for him.
Goodwin: Both Matt and I are massive Bruce fans, and it was hard to believe he signed on for the show. He was a joy to work with and created a role with depth and complexity.
Hysteria! premieres on Peacock October 18.
Stay tuned for more io9 news on the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek updates, the future of DC, and probably a few more stories about Satanic Panic. It's 2022, after all!
- The new Peacock series, 'Hysteria!', set in a small Michigan town in 1989, is definitely worth binge-watching for spooky season, as it combines heavy metal-loving high school kids, conservatives, supernatural mysteries, and even features Bruce Campbell as the local sheriff.
- Io9 interviewed Matthew Scott Kane, the creator of 'Hysteria!', and David A. Goodwin, its executive producer, about the show's connections between the '80s Satanic Panic and today's reality warping, drawing parallels between misinformation then and now.
- The show's creative team, including music supervisor Jen Malone, compiled a soundtrack filled with iconic heavy metal songs from the '80s, some featured directly in the script, while others were suggestions from Malone's vast music knowledge.
- Bruce Campbell, a legendary cult movie star and an inspiration since high school for the 'Hysteria!' team, plays a complex sheriff in the series, despite not being the initial reason for setting the show in Michigan.
