Amazon today announced it has added the hour-long dramatic thriller “Hysteria,” from Amazon Studios, Universal Television and Alcon Television Group, to its third pilot season, which will debut later this year on Amazon Instant Video.
Starring Mena Suvari (American Beauty) as Dr. Logan Harlen, James McDaniel (“Orange Is the New Black”) as Carl Sapsi, Josh Stewart (The Dark Knight Rises) as Ray Ratajeck, Adan Canto (X-Men: Days of Future Past) as Matt Sanchez, Laura San Giacomo (Saving Grace) as Grace Pelayo and T.R. Knight (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as Carter Harlen, “Hysteria” follows a doctor (Suvari) who returns to her hometown of Austin, Texas to investigate a growing epidemic that appears to be spreading through social media.
The show is written by Shaun Cassidy, who also serves as executive producer alongside Adam Schroeder, Sharon Hall, Andrew Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Bryan Zuriff, and director Otto Bathurst.
Customers will once again be invited to watch and provide feedback on the pilots they want to see turned into full series, which will then become available on Prime Instant Video.
“We’re very excited to be collaborating with Universal Television and Alcon Television Group to bring ‘Hysteria’ to life for viewers,” said Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios. “Shaun is known for creating shows with layers of mystery, depth of character and topical themes. His script immediately hooked us and we cant wait to hear what customers think.”
“I can think of no better platform than Amazon to tell a story that explores the price of fear and the very real threat of viral connection becoming contagion,” said Shaun Cassidy.
Directed by Bathurst, who recently won the BAFTA for his work on the critically acclaimed U.K. mini-series “Peaky Blinders,” “Hysteria” takes viewers to Austin where members of a girls’ competitive dance team are stricken with a strange, psycho-physiological illness that manifests in violent fits and spasms. Neurologist Logan Harlen (Suvari) is called back to her hometown to investigate the cause. Fighting her own demons (and the growing manipulation of a brother on death row), Logan develops an uneasy suspicion that the hysteria surrounding the girls might actually be linked to social media and her own tragic past.
In addition to Suvari, McDaniel, Stewart, Canto, San Giacomo and Knight, “Hysteria” also stars, Ella Rae Peck and Jenessa Grant. Guest stars include Jason Douglas, Heather Kafka, Asjha Cooper, and Evie Thompson.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
