Crystal Lake is coming to us just in time for Halloween – and thank goodness for that, because it’s one of horror’s most notorious franchises!
Heading back to where it all began, Crystal Lake, the highly anticipated Friday the 13th prequel series from A24 and Peacock, is set to explore the chilling origins of the Voorhees family, decades after Jason Voorhees first became a horror icon. Starring Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees, the eight-part series promises a fresh look at the tragedy that shaped Camp Crystal Lake, while revisiting the eerie woodland setting that made the original 1980 film so memorable.
From its New Jersey filming locations to its different premiere dates in the US and UK, here’s everything to know about Crystal Lake.
What Is the Plot of Crystal Lake?
Set in the 1970s, Crystal Lake takes audiences back to the events leading up to the original Friday the 13th movie, shifting the spotlight from Jason Voorhees to his mother, Pamela. Nearly a year after her young son Jason drowned in the town lake, single mother Pamela remains consumed by grief. When two mysterious strangers arrive at her door, asking questions about her past, their appearance sets off a disturbing chain of events that threatens to expose secrets surrounding the Voorhees family.
Who Stars in Crystal Lake?
Linda Cardellini, known for Dead to Me, Freaks and Geeks and DTF St. Louis, leads the cast as Pamela Voorhees, the character originally portrayed by Betsy Palmer in the 1980 film.
Joining her are William Catlett as Levon Brooks, Devin Kessler as Brianna, Cameron Scoggins as Dorf and Gwendolyn Sundstrom as Grace. Callum Vinson plays a young Jason Voorhees, with Nick Cordileone, Joy Suprano, Danielle Kotch and Phoenix Parnevik also appearing in recurring roles.
The series is created, written, and executive-produced by Brad Caleb Kane, whose previous credits include It: Welcome to Derry, Tokyo Vice, and Warrior.
A24 produces the series, with original Friday the 13th screenwriter Victor Miller among its executive producers.
Is There a Trailer for Crystal Lake?
Yes! The official trailer for Crystal Lake was released in September 2026, offering audiences a first look at Linda Cardellini’s portrayal of Pamela Voorhees.
Where Was Crystal Lake Filmed?
Crystal Lake was filmed across New Jersey, bringing the Friday the 13th franchise back to the American state where the original 1980 movie was made.
Production took place between June and October 2025, with filming spread across several New Jersey communities, including West Milford, Jersey City, Clifton and surrounding woodland areas.
One of the production’s most significant locations was Camp Ocawasin in West Milford, which served as the main camp setting for the new series. Additional camp and woodland scenes were filmed at Camp Winnebago in Rockaway Township, the former Camp Tamarack in Oakland and Skyline Lakes Clubhouse in Ringwood.
While the original Friday the 13th was filmed at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco in Hardwick Township, the new series used Camp Ocawasin in West Milford as its principal camp location.
Speaking to Radio Times, showrunner Brad Caleb Kane explained that the original camp no longer permits filming, prompting the production to find an alternative. Camp Ocawasin offered a larger lake and the atmospheric woodland setting needed to bring Camp Crystal Lake back to life.
Fans can still visit Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco through specially organised Crystal Lake Tours, although the property is not open to casual visitors.
The decision to film in New Jersey gives the new series a particularly fitting connection to the franchise’s beginnings, with the state’s forests, lakes and small towns providing the perfect backdrop for Camp Crystal Lake’s unsettling history. For fans interested in exploring the original film’s locations, the nearby town of Blairstown also remains closely associated with the Friday the 13th legacy.
What Has the Cast & Crew Said About Crystal Lake?
Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane has spoken about his lifelong fascination with Friday the 13th and his desire to explore the relationship between Pamela and Jason Voorhees in greater depth.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Kane explained that he wanted the prequel to examine the emotional connection between mother and son, rather than simply focus on the violence that made the franchise famous.
The series also explores Jason before he becomes the masked killer audiences recognise, presenting him as a vulnerable young boy struggling to fit in.
Cardellini has similarly discussed approaching Pamela as a character shaped by grief and trauma, rather than attempting to replicate Betsy Palmer’s original performance.
The production’s 1970s setting also plays an important role, with Kane drawing inspiration from the period’s cultural tensions and psychological thrillers.
For viewers familiar with the original films, Crystal Lake promises a combination of familiar horror imagery and a more detailed exploration of the people behind the franchise’s mythology.
When and Where Will Crystal Lake Be Released?
Crystal Lake will premiere in the United States on Thursday, October 15, 2026, exclusively on Peacock. All eight episodes will be available to stream together, giving American viewers the opportunity to watch the entire season ahead of Halloween.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Crystal Lake will arrive on Monday, October 19, 2026, exclusively on Sky and streaming service NOW. All eight episodes will also be released simultaneously in the UK and Ireland.