What does it take to make original horror work on TV?

Key Points:

• The horror series *From*, created by John Griffin, has gained a growing audience since its Netflix debut, following four seasons on MGM+. The show is set in a mysterious town trapping residents amid shape-shifting creatures, blending puzzle-box mystery with jump scares.
• Initially written in 2016, *From* struggled to find a platform until executive producers John Pinkner and Jack Bender, both veterans of *Lost*, helped shape its long-term, character-driven narrative, described as “a giant Twilight Zone episode.”
• The show emphasizes horror as a metaphor to highlight human stories, focusing on psychological trauma and paranoia, with a serialized approach that allows deep character development across seasons, distinguishing it from anthology horror series.
• Meanwhile, *The Creep Tapes* uses a hybrid format to explore various horror subgenres and satirical themes, cultivating a dedicated fan base on Shudder, a platform that supports niche horror content alongside larger entities.
• Executive producers note that horror’s appeal lies in its escapism and the ability to “turn it off,” contributing to the continued success and sustainability of original horror shows like *From* despite the challenges of the pandemic era.