The Final Chapter: Mike Flanagan's Departure from Netflix with 'The Fall of the House of Usher'

The Big Picture

Mike Flanagan's partnership with Netflix began in 2019 with the release of The Haunting of Hill House, which was followed by The Haunting of Bly Manor and Midnight Mass.

Flanagan and producer Trevor Macy have recently revealed a long-term agreement with Amazon Studios, signifying that The Fall of the House of Usher will be their last project with Netflix.

Moving forward, Flanagan has set his sights on adapting Stephen King's esteemed series, The Dark Tower. He has already completed the pilot script and envisions a minimum of five seasons for the show.

For many horror enthusiasts, the news of Mike Flanagan's The Fall of the House of Usher releasing on Netflix brought mixed feelings. On one hand, the show is another fantastic creation by the master of horror for the streaming platform. Moreover, it's a chilling production inspired by the works of the renowned Edgar Allan Poe. However, with the arrival of The Fall of the House of Usher, comes the end of an fruitful partnership between Flanagan and Netflix. Going forward, fans of the macabre will need to seek their annual dose of Flanagan elsewhere. Specifically, they'll have to turn to Prime Video. Yes, Mike Flanagan is bidding farewell to Netflix in favor of a new streaming platform. This revelation surely brings relief to those who worried that the director was leaving his previous home without any promising prospects. Rest assured, Flanagan has a plan, and it involves bringing more horror classics to the screen through adaptations.

The Fall of the House of Usher

Release Date October 12, 2023Cast Carla Gugino, Willa Fitzgerald, Mary McDonnell, Kate SiegelGenres Drama, HorrorRating TV-MASeasons 1Studio Netflix

When Did Mike Flanagan’s Partnership With Netflix Begin?

Image courtesy of Netflix

Netflix officially launched their collaboration with Flanagan and Macy in 2019, following the successful release of Flanagan's debut TV series, The Haunting of Hill House, on the streaming platform in 2018. This beloved 10-episode horror drama has received critical acclaim and gained a devoted fan base, as it tells the haunting tale of a grief-stricken family and a supernatural presence that plagues their eerie home.

Based on Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel of the same name, Flanagan made significant changes to the story for the miniseries. This paved the way for his collaboration with Macy on their second TV project, known as the "Haunting anthology." The Haunting of Bly Manor was the next installment, loosely adapted from Henry James's classic horror novel, The Turn of the Screw. Set in a haunted house, it transformed from a love story to a horror tale.

In 2020, The Haunting of Bly Manor was released, followed by Flanagan's first completely original series in 2021, Midnight Mass. This highly praised series delved into themes of faith and fear. A year later, Flanagan released his second original show, The Midnight Club. However, it did not receive the same positive reception. Despite being planned as an ongoing series, The Midnight Club failed to impress critics and attract a substantial audience on Netflix. Consequently, it was cancelled after only one season. Flanagan expressed his dissatisfaction with Netflix and revealed his plans for a Season 2 on Tumblr.

"When we agreed to produce The Midnight Club," he explained to Deadline, "the entire company was in a very different place. We both agreed that a unique and hard-to-categorize show like that requires strong promotional efforts to ensure a successful launch, and Netflix's approach to promoting new shows has undergone significant changes."

In addition to his work on TV shows, Flanagan has also directed two Netflix movies: Hush in 2016 and Gerald's Game in 2017. Finally, in 2023, he released his final project for the streaming platform, The Fall of the House of Usher. This contemporary series, based on Edgar Allan Poe's famous novel and other works by the legendary horror author, explores the downfall of a wealthy and influential family. Currently sitting at the top spot on Netflix's most-watched list, the show has received rave reviews, solidifying Flanagan and Macy's departure from Netflix as a notable success.

Why Is Mike Flanagan Moving From Netflix to Amazon?

Image via Netflix

The news about Flanagan joining Prime was first announced on December 1, 2022. Flanagan, along with producer Trevor Macy, revealed a multiyear series deal with Amazon Studios. Under this new contract, their company, Intrepid Pictures, will produce a specific number of projects exclusively available for streaming on Prime Video. Flanagan and Macy expressed their excitement about the partnership and praised Amazon's commitment to groundbreaking content, which aligns with their own production values. While it's unclear if they had any issues with Netflix, it's undeniable that the overall quality of Netflix originals has declined in recent years. Although there are still some interesting shows and movies on Netflix, the association with the platform no longer carries the same prestige as it did before. On the other hand, Prime has had successes like Outer Range, Swarm, Good Omens, and The Boys, showcasing the potential for captivating TV content.

Mike Flanagan Will Take on Stephen King’s the Dark Tower Series Next

Flanagan's upcoming partnership with Amazon Studios has already sparked speculation about his next project. Confirming the rumors, the director revealed that he will be working on an adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower. In a recent interview with Deadline, Flanagan shared that he has already written a pilot for the series, envisioning it to span at least five seasons. He expressed his excitement about the project, stating that he has meticulously planned and outlined the storyline for the first season and beyond. It's worth noting that the rights to The Dark Tower belong to Intrepid Pictures, separate from the Amazon deal, giving Flanagan the option to explore other platforms if necessary. Fans eagerly await Flanagan's unique take on King's beloved book series, which includes eight novels and a novella.

Starting in 1980, The Gunslinger launched a series that takes readers through multiple universes. The protagonist, Roland of Gilead, embarks on a quest to find the enigmatic Man in Black and uncover the secrets of the Dark Tower. Hollywood has been tossing around the rights to these books since 2007, when J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof acquired them. Initially intended as a TV show, the project faced setbacks. In 2010, Ron Howard announced plans for a movie trilogy and subsequent TV series, but faced similar production obstacles.

Finally, in 2017, The Dark Tower emerged from development limbo. Led by actors Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, the movie aimed to both adapt and continue the original series of novels. However, it failed to capture the essence that made the books beloved, leaving fans disappointed and confused. Consequently, Hollywood's plans for a new franchise fizzled out. Now, the opportunity falls to Flanagan, who is venturing into the realm of straightforward fantasy for the first time. While The Dark Tower has eerie undertones, it remains at its core a fantastical tale.

All episodes of The Fall of the House of Usher are available to stream on Netflix.

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