MGM+ has given the green light to a new paranormal series based on The Black Tapes, starring Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Look out, spooky fans, because MGM+ has officially greenlit an eight-episode supernatural horror investigation series based on the hit horror podcast The Black Tapes!
The series stars Game of Thrones favorite Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Dr. Richard Strand, a brilliant psychiatrist with a mysterious past who teams up with Alex Regan, an obsessed and relentless investigator determined to debunk the paranormal. Together, they delve into a chilling collection of unexplained cases involving hauntings, possessions, disappearances, sinister legends, and the infamous Black Tapes. But as Strand and Regan dig deeper into these seemingly inexplicable events, they uncover a hidden occult world lurking beneath the surface of our own. And what begins as a mission to expose the truth soon spirals into a terrifying race to unravel a centuries-old apocalyptic conspiracy.
Looks like things are about to get seriously spooky! Production on the new show is scheduled to begin in Vancouver in January 2027. The series will stream on MGM+ in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Latin America.
THE SERIES
The supernatural horror investigation series is based on the podcast created by Terry Miles and Paul Bae, which premiered in 2015 and has amassed more than 60 million downloads. MGM+ Studios will produce the television adaptation, with Kearie Peak of Peak Pictures, John Rogers and Jennifer Court of Kung Fu Monkey Productions, and podcast creators Miles and Bae serving as executive producers. Miles and Bae will also write for the series.
EXCITEMENT AT MGM+
“The Black Tapes crafts a compelling story around our cultural fascination with the unexplained, while delivering the cinematic, classic storytelling that MGM+ audiences expect,” said Michael Wright, global head of MGM+. “With Nikolaj’s compelling presence and the creative vision of John Rogers, Kearie Peak and our talented production team, we’re excited to make something that is both provocative and hugely entertaining.“
John Rogers said, “I was an early and passionate fan of The Black Tapes podcast. It’s a unique blend of truly unsettling horror and puzzle-box conspiracy mystery. With Paul and Terry not just executive producing, but also in the writer’s room, we have a chance to both bring The Black Tapes to a new generation of genre fans and deepen and expand the mythos in ways that will surprise long-time supernatural horror fans.“
Kearie Peak added, “I’ve always been a sucker for a great conspiracy story, and The Black Tapes combines that irresistible investigative element with the supernatural horror our team knows so well—a perfect fit for MGM+. Reuniting with John Rogers and Michael Wright is incredibly exciting, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is an inspired choice for Dr. Strand, bringing exactly the intelligence, complexity, and mystery the role demands. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him aboard.”
THRONES ON TAPE
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is best known for his acclaimed portrayal of Jaime Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones, a performance that earned him an Emmy nomination. His more recent credits include Apple TV+’s The Last Thing He Told Me, the BBC historical drama King and Conqueror, and An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet, the Bloomberg Media series he hosts and produces. He is also set to appear opposite Jennifer Lopez in Netflix’s upcoming thriller The Last Mrs. Parrish.
RELEASE
This is phenomenal news, spooky fans! Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has a proven track record in this arena, and his casting has only ramped up our excitement for the series. With such a compelling concept, The Black Tapes could become a standout addition to the MGM+ lineup, and that is an enticing prospect indeed!
Whether the series can hit the ground running and deliver on its promise remains to be seen. But with a brilliant leading man, the backing of MGM+, and a talented team bringing this chilling mystery to life, The Black Tapes has all the ingredients for an instant classic!
Let the spooky mayhem begin!
Are you excited about a TV adaptation of The Black Tapes? Let us know what you think.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
