Above all else, Jake Epping (James Franco) looks bewildered in the thrilling first trailer for Hulu’s upcoming series 11.22.63, and we can understand why. He’s been tasked with going back in time to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The alternate history, which finds Epping threatened by JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald while also falling in love, is based on Stephen King’s bestselling 2011 novel of the same name.
The trailer begins with present day teacher Epping meeting Al Templeton (Chris Cooper), who sends him back in time to 1960s America. While exploring his surroundings, Epping finds himself in precarious situations full of people trying to thwart him from completing his monumental task. Aside from a rocky relationship, though, it appears that he surpasses those difficulties in order to make an attempt at changing history.
Executive producer J.J. Abrams recently explained that he’s had a good working relationship with streaming service Hulu and has been a longtime fan of King’s story. “[Hulu]’s been remarkable and incredibly collaborative, and as excited about this as we were,” explained Abrams at a Television Critics Association meeting, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “This is a book that I had loved long before Stephen King reached out and asked if I’d be interested in getting involved to produce.” The producer also noted that King was “positive” about the changes that Abrams made to the best-selling author’s novel.
The eight-part drama also stars Josh Duhamel, T.R. Knight, Cherry Jones, Sarah Gadon, Lucy Fry, George MacKay, and Daniel Webber. Along with Abrams and King, Bridget Carpenter and Bryan Burk executive produced the series. Oscar winning director Kevin Macdonald, best known for The Last King of Scotland, directs and executive produces the series’ first two hours.
11.22.63 premieres on Presidents Day (February 15) exclusively on Hulu.
