Peacock Orders Thriller Series Hysteria!

Peacock has given a straight-to-series order to the coming-of-age thriller Hysteria!, produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Exploring America’s dark history of mass hysteria through a story of Satanic Panic in the 1980s, Hysteria! follows a struggling high school heavy metal band of outcasts who realize they can capitalize on the town’s sudden interest in the occult after the disappearance of a varsity quarterback. They successfully build a reputation as a Satanic metal band, but when there’s a bizarre string of murders, kidnappings and reported “supernatural activity,” a witch hunt leads directly back to them.

Matthew Scott Kane serves as writer and executive producer on Hysteria! John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein will executive produce and direct. Chris Bender and Jake Weiner will executive produce for Good Fear.

Lisa Katz, president of scripted content at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, said: “Our upcoming thriller series Hysteria! will explore the complex world of the Satanic Panic, set amidst ’80s nostalgia, mystery, heavy metal and an all-American setting. We’re excited to partner on this fresh, coming-of-age story led by writer Matthew Scott Kane, executive producers and directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, Good Fear and our partners at UCP, for what is sure to be a compelling original series for Peacock viewers.”

Beatrice Springborn, president of UCP, said: “This nail-biting thriller dives into a mass moral panic and all the fears, desires, anger and dread that led to these dark days. Matthew’s script is original, intriguing and perfectly captures the frenetic energy of the Satanic Panic. We can’t wait for audiences to experience the show on Peacock.”