Mike Flanagan’s upcomingCarrietelevision series has cast its lead villain and continues a brilliant twist from another one of his horror shows from four years ago. One of Stephen King’s most acclaimed novels,Carriefollows the titular Carrie White, who faces severe bullying from her high school peers and abuse from her zealously religious mother, Margaret. Carrie is born with telekinesis powers that she unleashes on prom night after a bucket of pig blood is dumped on her. Although not his first written novel,Carriewas Stephen King’s first published book, released in 1974.

As of 2025,Carriehas received multiple adaptations, with the most famous adaptation being Brian De Palma’s 1976 movie starring Sissy Spacek and John Travolta, ahorror movie that packs a huge emotional punchfor viewers. In 2024, it was announced thatMike Flanagan was adaptingCarrieinto a modernized television series, which will be released on Prime Video. The official casting for Prime Video’sCarriewill see Samantha Sloyan play the role of Margaret White, a casting that continues a trend from another Mike Flanagan horror series.

Bev (Samantha Sloyan) kneeling on the beach before dying on Midnight Mass

Samantha Sloyan’s Margaret White Casting In Carrie Is Perfect After Playing Midnight Mass' Villain

Samantha Sloyan Played Bev In Midnight Mass

In 2021, Samantha Sloyan joined thecast ofMidnight Mass, a horror miniseries created and produced by Mike Flanagan for Netflix. The miniseriesfollows a young man named Riley Flynn who returns to his hometown of Crockett Islandafter serving four years in prison for causing death by drunk driving. Due to his time incarcerated, Riley struggles to reconnect with his family and the Catholic community, which is later impacted by the arrival of Father Paul Hill, the new priest of St. Patrick’s Church. While he initially has a positive influence, Father Hill’s true motivations soon come to light.

Upon release,Midnight Masswas met with a positive reception from critics and viewers, receiving a score of 87% onRotten Tomatoesand being praised for the cast’s performances, Flanagan’s direction, and its mixture of horror and tragedy. There was also praise given toMidnight Mass’subtle references to vampiresand its depiction of religion and death throughout the series. Among several accolades, the writing team ofMidnight Mass, including Flanagan, won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Screenplay and has been ranked asone of the best horror television miniseriesever made.

Carrie book cover

InMidnight Mass,Samantha Sloyan played Bev Keane, who works with the church. Throughout the series, Bev Keane is shown to be a harsh and strict individual who insists that every child in the community should read the Bible.Bev Keane outwardly portrays herself as a devoted and trusted member of the community, but in reality, she actively encourages the town’s destruction by the vampires and encourages Father Hill that killing innocent people in the community is the right thing to do. Sloyan’s performance as Bev was highly praised and solidifies her as the perfect casting choice for Margaret White.

Samantha Sloyan Is Fantastic As Both Heroes & Villains In Mike Flanagan’s Horror Shows

She Has Proven Her Diversity Throughout Her Performances In Mike Flanagan Roles

Throughout the horror series,Bev Keane proves herself the true villain ofMidnightMass, through moments such as her judgmental attitude towards everybody in the community, covering up Joe’s death, and causing destruction in the town. Her selfish attitude and desire to be seen as superior to everybody else eventually proves her downfall and results in a very fittingending for theMidnightMasscharacter. Sloyan proved her skills as a villain inMidnight Mass,but she also showcased her talents as more heroic characters in other Flanagan shows.

Samantha Sloyan’s multiple collaborations with Mike Flanagan showcase his confidence in her abilities to portray both heroes and villains in his works.

Sloyan has collaborated with Flanagan on other shows, includingThe Fall of the House of UsherandThe Haunting of Hill House.She notably received praise for her performance as Shasta, a free-spirited owner of a medicine company who uses natural remedies in her ingredients in Flanagan’sThe Midnight Club. Sloyan’s collaborations with Flanagan showcase his confidence in her ability to portray both heroes and villains in his works. Her frightening portrayal of Bev Keane inMidnight Masscertainly proves that Sloyan has the right villainous traits to step into the role of Margaret White in the upcomingCarrieseries.

Source:Rotten Tomatoes

Carrie

Carrie is an adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic novel of the same name, which tells the story of a bullied youth who develops supernatural abilities. Unlike previous adaptations of the work, this version—helmed by Mike Flanagan—will be a series instead of a feature film.