William Catlett Joins Friday the 13th Prequel Series
The actor stars as Chief Levon Brooks in the upcoming horror prequel Crystal Lake.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Horror
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William Catlett portrays Chief Levon Brooks in the Friday the 13th prequel series Crystal Lake. The upcoming horror show is set in 1972 and features Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees.
Why it matters
Catlett initially declined the role to avoid horror genre typecasting following his work on Abigail. He eventually accepted because the character explores the Black experience in 1970s America with significant narrative depth.
The prequel series is set in 1972 and will air on the streaming platform Peacock. The production is rooted in the legacy of the Friday the 13th franchise.
The players
William Catlett
The actor previously appeared in the film Abigail and now stars as Chief Levon Brooks.
Linda Cardellini
She plays the character Pamela Voorhees in the upcoming television series.
Brad Kane
He serves as the showrunner for the upcoming prequel series.
Sidney Poitier
The legendary actor served as a creative inspiration for the character portrayal.
The details
Catlett studied the film roles of Sidney Poitier, including In the Heat of the Night, to craft the physical presence of his character. He joined the project after meeting with showrunner Brad Kane and completing a chemistry read with co-star Linda Cardellini.
Timeline
The series is set in 1972.
The production details were referenced in a 2026 interview.
Industry Dynamics
This project continues the trend of major studios mining long-running horror franchises for television prequel content. It reflects a broader Hollywood strategy of leveraging established intellectual property to anchor new streaming service catalogs.
Viewers will be able to access the series exclusively through the Peacock streaming platform. This release strategy follows the industry shift toward housing high-profile franchise content behind subscription-based paywalls.
The takeaway
The series demonstrates how contemporary casting choices can add historical and cultural layers to established horror properties. Interested fans can expect a departure from traditional slasher tropes through the show's focus on the 1970s American experience.
Further reading
Explore more upcoming projects and news in horror.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Essence.
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