Watch Jason Bateman Shine Again in This 91% Stephen King Series You Must See

If you enjoyed Jason Bateman’s dramatic performance in “Ozark”, you might also appreciate another drama series that he stars in, which is an adaptation of Stephen King’s work and boasts a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The role of Marty Byrde in “Ozark” marks one of the most impressive performances in Bateman’s career, shifting his focus from comedic roles. Prior to “Ozark”, Bateman was primarily known for his humorous roles, such as those in “Dodgeball”, the “Horrible Bosses” series, “Identity Thief”, and his role as Michael Bluth in “Arrested Development”.

As a captivated movie critic, I found myself utterly spellbound by Marty – a character who teeters precariously on the edge of cunning, terror, and danger. Remarkably, he manages to dodge death’s inexorable grasp time and again, all thanks to his unwavering zest for life and his seemingly boundless willingness to go to great lengths to stay alive.

His performance was nothing short of extraordinary, earning him three Golden Globe nominations and a staggering ten Emmy nods. In 2019, he clinched the victory for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. If you were enthralled by Bateman’s dramatic flair in this grim series, I wholeheartedly recommend another dark show that features him among its talented cast. Regrettably, it was canceled after only one season, but rest assured, it is more than worth your time to explore.

Jason Bateman Played A Little League Coach Accused Of Murder In The Outsider

A Young Boy’s Corpse Turns Up Mutilated In A Small Georgia Town

Jason Bateman plays the role of Terry Maitland in the 2020 HBO show “The Outsider,” which is adapted from Stephen King’s 2018 novel with the same title. Terry is a coach for Little League baseball in Cherokee City, Georgia, where tragedy strikes when a boy’s body is discovered mutilated. As investigations reveal the deceased to be Frank Peterson, suspicion falls upon Terry, the baseball coach. The series unfolds as the local authorities hunt for the real killer and tension builds within the town as residents start to distrust one another.

Similar to a chilling Stephen King novel, the quest for logical explanations leads to an appalling and inconceivable realm that those exploring are ill-prepared for. It starts off slowly, then after a brutal and swift beginning, the pace slows significantly. This is an eerie and terrifying show that doesn’t shy away from its dark undertones. The first two episodes are particularly captivating, and while the series settles into a steady pace following the intense opening, it’s well worth the time spent watching it.

Jason Bateman Isn’t The Only Notable Cast Member In The Stephen King TV Show

The Series Is Filled With HBO All-Stars

Jason Bateman is among several well-known actors featured in the series cast of “The Outsider.” Following their roles in this show, many of the actors found success in even larger projects, making “The Outsider” a fascinating snapshot of its talented cast’s careers at that time. Ben Mendelsohn portrays Ralph Anderson, while Cynthia Erivo takes on Holly Gibney, who was famously seen in “Wicked” in 2024. Julianne Nicholson plays Glory Maitland, and later starred as Lori Ross in “Mare of Easttown.” Paddy Considine portrays Claude Bolton, before going on to act as King Viserys I Targaryen in “House of the Dragon.

The Outsider Cast & Characters
Actor Role
Ben Mendelsohn Ralph Anderson
Jason Bateman Terry Maitland
Bill Camp Howie Salomon
Jeremy Bobb Alec Pelley
Julianne Nicholson Glory Maitland
Mare Winningham Jeannie Anderson
Paddy Considine Claude Bolton
Yul Vazquez Yunis Sablo
Marc Menchaca Jack Hoskins
Cynthia Erivo Holly Gibney
Derek Cecil Andy Katcavage

Among the prominent and recurring actors are Bill Camp portraying Howie Salomon, Jeremy Bobb as Alec Pelley, Mare Winningham depicting Jeannie Anderson, Yul Vazquez in the role of Yunis Sablo, Marc Menchaca as Jack Hoskins, and Derek Cecil as Andy Katcavage. They are faces you’re familiar with yet may struggle to recall by name, which lends itself well to a tale revolving around paranoia, strangers, and the possibility of a monster lurking just next door.

Why The Outsider Was Canceled After One Season

The Series Was Pitched As A One-Season Miniseries

In its brief run of one season and ten episodes, the series titled “The Outsider” garnered a remarkable 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Jason Bateman earned an Emmy nomination for his guest role in a Drama Series for his outstanding performance. Critics either praised it wholeheartedly or at least held it in high regard, commending the show’s atmosphere, direction, and acting. However, the main criticism was that the pacing was too slow. Surprisingly, HBO decided against renewing “The Outsider” for a second season in November 2020, several months after the conclusion of season 1 (as reported by Deadline).

In its first season, the series faithfully adapted King’s book. However, for the second season, it delved deeper into the world and cosmos that the horror writer initially crafted, all with his endorsement. This was confirmed by HBO in their official announcement.

Our team had a great experience working alongside Richard, Jason Bateman, Andrew Bernstein, and the MRC group. We’re looking forward to seeing more of the universe crafted by the talented Stephen King as they carry on their work.

Initially, The Outsider was marketed as a limited series, meaning it wasn’t necessarily canceled but rather not renewed for additional seasons. The second season would have taken the story in a new direction, so it’s understandable that HBO chose not to proceed with another installment. Despite this, the show saw its viewership increase from 1.2 million at the premiere to 2.2 million by the finale, making it HBO’s most-watched first-year series in three years. Fortunately, the season ended on a satisfying note, and fans of Jason Bateman who have finished Ozark won’t be left wanting more.

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2025-06-06 00:18