Ben Barnes, Mary-Louise Parker to star in adaptation of Stephen King's 'Institute'

June 14 (UPI) -- The Punisher alum Ben Barnes and Weeds actress Mary- Louise Parker have signed on to star in the eight-episode adaptation of Stephen King 's book, The Institute .

"When 12-year-old genius Luke Ellis is kidnapped, he awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did, and who are all possessed of unusual abilities," a synopsis of the thriller said.

"In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won't last, as his story and Luke's are destined to collide,"

The MGM+ show was created by executive producer-director Jack Bender -- whose credits include Lost and Mr. Mercedes -- and executive producer-writer Benjamin Cavell, who has worked on Justified and The Stand .

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work again with Stephen King. And The Institute , based on his critically acclaimed novel, is an exciting addition to the MGM+ original series slate," Michael Wright , head of MGM+, said in a statement Thursday.

"There is no creative team I would trust more to bring the book to life than Jack and Ben, whose creative vision and love of Mr. King's voice, will bring this thought-provoking and gut-wrenching story to life, in the engaging, cinematic, and thrilling style MGM+ viewers expect."