Netflix and The CW Abandon Stephen King Projects

by Carlos Mendoza January 6, 2026

written by Carlos Mendoza January 6, 2026

Key Takeaways

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Stephen Kings The Talisman and Becka Paulsons Revelations have been canceled, leaving fans disappointed.
The cancellations of these projects are likely due to the similarities with recent successful adaptations like IT and Stranger Things.
The CW, following its acquisition by Nexstar in 2022, is focusing on simpler and cheaper content instead of costly, ambitious projects.
The Talisman, which has been in development since the books release, and Becka Paulsons Revelations have yet to find a home on television.

Stephen King Television Adaptations Face Setbacks: Talisman and Becka Paulson Canceled

Recent news indicates a downturn for Stephen King television adaptations. The Talisman, a project that has been in development since the book’s release, has failed to materialize into a live-action film or show, and the Duffer Brothers are no longer attached. Shortly after Netflix canceled The Talisman series, another King adaptation fell through. The CW officially canceled The Revelations of Becka Paulson, a series inspired by King’s short story of the same name. The Revelations of Becka Paulson had been in development for The CW since 2020 but never progressed beyond initial development. The cancellation follows The CW’s acquisition by Nexstar in 2022, after which the new leadership shifted away from costly, ambitious projects in favor of simpler, cheaper content. An episode of The Outer Limits previously drew inspiration from Becka Paulson’s Revelations in 1997. The Talisman and The Revelations of Becka Paulson failed to move forward due to their similarities to successful recent Stephen King adaptations like IT and Stranger Things. Thus, both The Talisman and The Revelations of Becka Paulson will remain untold on television, leaving fans who anticipated them disappointed.

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