TV · Explained
Crystal Lake (Peacock & A24): Episode Guide, Cast, Where to Watch and Season 2 Status
Crystal Lake is a Friday the 13th prequel TV series from A24 and creator Brad Caleb Kane, starring Linda Cardellini as Pam Voorhees, Jason's grieving mother. All 8 episodes were released at once on Thursday, October 15, 2026, exclusively on Peacock in the US. It is on Crave in Canada (Oct 15), Stan in Australia (Oct 16) and Sky and NOW in the UK and Ireland (from Oct 19). It is set a year after young Jason drowned in the lake, before the events of the 1980 film. As of October 24, 2026, Peacock/NBCU has not announced a season 2 renewal or cancellation (creator Brad Caleb Kane has discussed season 2 ideas in interviews, but that is not an official renewal).
Crystal Lake at a glance
| Crystal Lake (season 1) | |
|---|---|
| What it is | A horror drama series, a prequel to the Friday the 13th films |
| Created by | Brad Caleb Kane (creator, writer, showrunner, executive producer) |
| Studio | A24, a Peacock Original |
| Release | All 8 episodes on Thursday, October 15, 2026 |
| Episodes | 8 |
| US | Peacock (exclusive) |
| UK and Ireland | Sky and NOW, from October 19, 2026 |
| Canada | Crave, from October 15, 2026 |
| Australia | Stan, from October 16, 2026 |
| Stars | Linda Cardellini, William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins, Gwendolyn Sundstrom |
| Young Jason | Callum Vinson (recurring) |
| Filmed in | Blairstown, New Jersey, the town where the 1980 film was shot |
| Season 2 | Not announced (as of October 24, 2026) |
Sources: NBCUniversal press release, Peacock, Sky Group.
What is Crystal Lake about? (no spoilers)
Pam Voorhees is a single mother who can't let go of her grief. Her young, sickly son Jason drowned in the town lake almost a year earlier, and she still believes he is out there. When two strangers arrive at her door asking about her past, a chain of events begins that leaves the town asking one question: who is Pam Voorhees?
The show starts in the early 1970s. A "bear attack" has the community on edge, the summer camp is preparing to reopen, and Pam slowly becomes the woman horror fans know from the first film. Original Friday the 13th writer Victor Miller is one of the executive producers.
Crystal Lake episode guide
All eight episodes premiered together on October 15, 2026. Most titles nod to films in the series (Part 2, Part III, The Final Chapter, A New Beginning, The New Blood).
| # | Episode title | Directed by | Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camp Crystal | Michael Lennox | Oct 15, 2026 |
| 2 | Part II | Michael Lennox | Oct 15, 2026 |
| 3 | Part III | Michael Lennox | Oct 15, 2026 |
| 4 | A New Beginning | Celine Held & Logan George | Oct 15, 2026 |
| 5 | The New Blood | Celine Held & Logan George | Oct 15, 2026 |
| 6 | Kill Them, Mommy | Celine Held & Logan George | Oct 15, 2026 |
| 7 | Friday... | Quyen Tran | Oct 15, 2026 |
| 8 | The Final Chapter | Quyen Tran | Oct 15, 2026 |
Episode 7 is a flashback episode that shows Pam's earlier life, filmed in the style of 1950s melodrama director Douglas Sirk. Episode 8 is the season finale. Peacock's own episode guide has a summary of each episode, but it contains spoilers.
Where to watch Crystal Lake
| Country | Where it streams | Available from |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Peacock (exclusive) | October 15, 2026 |
| United Kingdom and Ireland | Sky and NOW | October 19, 2026 |
| Canada | Crave | October 15, 2026 |
| Australia | Stan | October 16, 2026 |
In the US it is a Peacock exclusive, so it isn't on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max or Prime Video. You need a Peacock plan to watch. Full episodes reposted on free video sites are not official uploads.
Crystal Lake cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Linda Cardellini | Pam Voorhees, Jason's mother |
| William Catlett | Levon Brooks, the town's police chief |
| Gwendolyn Sundstrom | Grace, a teenager who was Jason's friend |
| Cameron Scoggins | Officer Dorf, an expanded take on the Dorf from the 1980 film |
| Devin Kessler | Brianna Brooks, Levon's journalist sister |
| Callum Vinson (recurring) | Jason Voorhees as a boy |
| Nick Cordileone (recurring) | Ralph, the loner known as "Crazy Ralph" in the film |
| Joy Suprano (recurring) | Rita, a local who befriends Pam |
| Danielle Kotch (recurring) | Claudette, a camp counselor |
| Phoenix Parnevik (recurring) | Barry, a camp counselor |
| Bernadette Quigley | Trudy, owner of the town diner |
Linda Cardellini is a four-time Emmy nominee known for Freaks and Geeks, ER, Mad Men and Dead to Me. In the 1980 film, Pamela Voorhees was played by Betsy Palmer.
How Crystal Lake connects to Friday the 13th
- It is a prequel. It takes place years before Friday the 13th (1980), the film in which Pamela Voorhees is the killer.
- Familiar locals come back. Officer Dorf, Crazy Ralph and diner owner Trudy, who all have small parts in the film, get bigger roles here.
- It was filmed where the original was. Blairstown, New Jersey stands in for the town of Crystal Lake again. One episode recreates the film's hitchhiking scene through town.
- It doesn't reach the film's events yet. Brad Caleb Kane says the show "could run into the events" of the 1980 film if it continues, but not in a second season.
Will there be a Crystal Lake season 2?
Not announced yet. As of October 24, 2026, Peacock has neither renewed nor cancelled the show. Brad Caleb Kane has said he has "ideas for Season 2 in mind." He wants to give more time to the town's other residents, with a "Twin Peaks-y" feel, while Pam and Jason remain at the center.
Changelog
- October 24, 2026: Still no Peacock/NBCU season 2 renewal or cancellation. Sky/NOW (UK) and Stan (AU) pages still show the series available; Crave (CA) listing remains. Deadline Oct 15 interview mentions creator 'plans for season 2' — not a renewal.
Frequently asked questions
How many episodes of Crystal Lake are there?
Eight. All eight episodes of season 1 were released at once on October 15, 2026.
Where can I watch Crystal Lake?
In the US it streams only on Peacock. It is on Sky and NOW in the UK and Ireland (from October 19, 2026), Crave in Canada (October 15) and Stan in Australia (October 16).
Is Crystal Lake on Netflix or HBO Max?
No. In the US Crystal Lake is a Peacock exclusive. It isn't on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu or Prime Video.
When is Crystal Lake on Sky and NOW in the UK?
From October 19, 2026. Sky has the exclusive rights in the UK and Ireland.
Who plays Pam Voorhees in Crystal Lake?
Linda Cardellini. In the original 1980 Friday the 13th, Pamela Voorhees was played by Betsy Palmer.
Is Jason in Crystal Lake?
Yes, as a boy. Callum Vinson plays young Jason Voorhees in a recurring role. The show is set after Jason drowned, so much of his story is told through Pam and through flashbacks.
Is there going to be a Crystal Lake season 2?
Not announced. As of October 24, 2026, Peacock has not renewed or cancelled it. Creator Brad Caleb Kane says he has ideas for a second season.
Where was Crystal Lake filmed?
In Blairstown, New Jersey, the same town where the original 1980 Friday the 13th was filmed. Some sets, such as the diner interior and the camp boathouse, were rebuilt on soundstages.
Who created Crystal Lake?
Brad Caleb Kane created, wrote and showran the series for A24 and Peacock. Original Friday the 13th writer Victor Miller is an executive producer.
Is Crystal Lake a prequel to Friday the 13th?
Yes. It tells Pam Voorhees' story before the events of the 1980 film, starting about a year after young Jason drowned at Camp Crystal Lake.