We got the chance to attend the AMC press conference for upcoming show NOS4A2 at Wondercon this year. Here are 14 things we learned about the show!
About NOS4A2
Premieres June 2, 2019
Based on the 2013 novel by Joe Hill, NOS4A2 introduces Vic McQueen (Ashleigh Cummings), a gifted young woman who discovers she has a supernatural ability to find lost things. This ability puts her on a collision course with the evil and immortal Charlie Manx (Zachary Quinto). Manx is a supernatural villain who feeds off the souls of children then deposits what remains of them into Christmasland – a twisted place of Manx’s imagination where every day is Christmas Day and unhappiness is against the law. Vic strives to defeat Manx and rescue his victims – without losing her mind or falling victim to him herself.
NOS4A2 is produced by AMC Studios in association with Tornante Television. Jami O’Brien (Fear the Walking Dead, Hell on Wheels) created the show for television and will serve as showrunner and executive producer along with executive producers Hill and Lauren Corrao, Co-President of Tornante Television.
Additional cast includes Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Bing Partridge, Virginia Kull as Linda McQueen, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Chris McQueen and Jahkara Smith (aka Sailor J) as Maggie Leigh.
14 Things We Learned About ‘NOS4A2’ at Wondercon
- Charlie is not like the vampires we’re used to. He is 135 years old and unaffected by garlic. His appearance is a result of his age, not his being a vampire.
- Both the book and the show are more like the “slow dread” feeling as opposed to jump scares. The book unfolds in a way where you’re never ahead of it. And this is intentional. Author Joe Hill does this so that you get more mileage out of the suspense.
- About 1/3 of the novel will be covered in Season 1.
- The car is its own character. Both show runner Jami O’Brien and Zachary Quinto talked about this, how Charlie’s car is more than just a car, it’s a character in this story.
- The cast spoke of Zachary Quinto’s funny special effects. He does this wheezing noise that sounds like the car.
- Ashleigh Cummings spoke about how the show is a nod to the rise of female heroines. She loves that her character is terrified yet courageous. Her heart is her struggle.
- Zachary Quinto spoke about how the more you learn about Charlie, the more you learn how he was failed as a child. Going back to the source of the trauma is how he understands him. Charlie really thinks he is doing a good thing. He thinks he’s saving children from bad parents. Monsters are often created by abuse, neglect, and trauma.
- Ashleigh Cummings said people can be both good and bad at the same time. And this is really exciting to play.
- Zachary Quinto was drawn to the role because of the huge transformation he undergoes.
- It takes 4 ½ hours in the make-up chair to transform into Charlie. But Zachary Quinto doesn’t mind because this time puts him in the mindset of the character.
- Zachary Quinto worked with a movement coach to get the character’s movement/ demeanor down. Especially the hands and fingers.
- Olafur Darri Olafsson said he feels for his character Bing. He approaches every character he plays from trying to understand them. He worked closely with Producer Jami O’Brien on this.
- Zachary Quinto said the show did a great job with taking care of the kids on set. He was very happy the producers made sure they were ok given the dark nature of the storyline. They did a lot of improv with the children during filming.
- The show is described as being a “beautiful, terrifying story.” Their hope is you’re constantly conflicted about who to support.
NOS4A2 premieres on AMC on June 2, 2019!