Ridley Scott’s Returning 3-Part Horror Series Has A Very Timely Core, Explains The Terror Season 3 Stars

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The newest season of Ridley Scott’s ‘The Terror’ is more than just scary; the actors hint that it tackles themes that are very relevant to today’s world.

The latest installment of this horror anthology series comes from Chris Cantwell and Victor LaValle, who have adapted LaValle’s 2012 novel, The Devil in Silver. The story unfolds at New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital, a rundown facility in New York facing closure. As tensions rise between staff and patients, the nurses and doctor try to control everyone while also becoming increasingly worried about a hidden secret behind a mysterious silver door.

Among the patients at the hospital are Dorry and Miss Chris, a long-term resident and the head nurse, played by Judith Light (known from Poker Face) and CCH Pounder (NCIS: New Orleans), respectively. Dorry acts as a warning to the main character, Pepper (played by Dan Stevens from Legion), as her many years at New Hyde suggest she knows about the Devil that haunts the place. Miss Chris is a practical and direct nurse, despite being afraid of the entity herself.

Joining the cast of Terror: The Devil in Silver are Aasif Mandvi (known for Evil), John Benjamin Hickey (Daredevil: Born Again), Stephen Root (Barry), and Chinaza Uche (Silo). The series, which debuted on May 7th, is receiving excellent reviews and currently holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes – tying it for the highest score across all three seasons.

Before The Terror: The Devil in Silver premiered, Grant Hermanns from ScreenRant spoke with Judith Light and CCH Pounder about the show. Light admitted she wasn’t familiar with Victor LaValle’s original novel until she started working on the series, but found it to be a “remarkable exploration of the characters’ psychological states” within the setting of New Hyde.

More significantly, Light explained that The Devil in Silver is a story “about a specific time in our country and globally, focusing on people struggling with mental health.” He was referring to characters like Dorry and highlighted that the series centers on how these individuals are often “forgotten, exploited, and dismissed.” He emphasized this gives the show a relevant and important message alongside its entertainment value.

I didn’t realize how knowledgeable Victor was about this, but it was fantastic collaborating with him. We had great conversations about the intricacies of the project, and I learned a lot from his insights and creations.

When discussing her portrayal of Dorry, Light emphasized how crucial it was to collaborate closely with LaValle, Cantwell, and director Karyn Kusama. They needed to depict her character’s confusion realistically, avoiding over-the-top stereotypes. She also highlighted the strong teamwork among the cast, describing them as a true family. Light explained that the show’s deeper themes meant it couldn’t simply rely on scares or portray characters as merely erratic; it needed more substance.

Judith Light clarified she wasn’t using the term ‘crazy’ negatively, but to reflect how society often views people with serious mental health issues. She emphasized that these individuals often form strong bonds with each other, and the show’s creators worked carefully with experts to portray this realistically and create a truly suspenseful experience. She particularly praised Victor for originating the concept.

Four-time Emmy nominee Pounder explained that she was cast as Miss Chris in The Terror: The Devil in Silver because she naturally projects authority and a no-nonsense attitude in her roles. She believes how ‘frivolous’ or ‘fancy’ she appears doesn’t matter, as she can quickly adopt a serious and direct demeanor – making her perfect for the role of the strict head nurse at New Hyde.

While developing the character, Pounder decided she always wanted the woman to seem focused and preoccupied, as if she were constantly thinking, ‘I wake up, do my job, get to work, and take care of my child and grandchild, all while dealing with life’s pressures.’ Importantly, the Emmy-nominated actress also envisioned the character as an immigrant, seeing her somewhat messy home and tight-knit family as everything she had and everything that mattered to her.

CCH Pounder’s character embodies the struggles of many people. She’s driven by a desperate need to fulfill her responsibilities, constantly reminding herself not to fail. The actor explored whether the character’s eventual defiance stemmed from an internal moral compass or something beyond explanation, ultimately choosing the latter. She believes that significant change in today’s world, where people passively accept problems and ask why others don’t fix them, will require something extraordinary. This character reaches a turning point, asking herself, ‘Why can’t I be the one to make a difference?’ It’s a monumental decision for someone who previously believed they were simply following orders, and that’s the core of the ‘Miss Chris’ character I developed.

The Terror Season 3 Was A Very Organic Experience For Light & Pounder

As a big horror fan, I’ve always thought The Terror was a seriously underrated gem – I really wanted it to get the recognition it deserved, so I was thrilled when it came back. The Devil in Silver is just incredible. I was asked about my history with the show and the original book before I started working on it, which was interesting to talk about.

You know, going into this project, I honestly didn’t realize how much experience I actually had with the horror genre! I met the writer, Victor LaValle, and it just hit me – he wrote this! I kept telling everyone I hadn’t really done much straight-up horror, and they’d immediately remind me about things like ‘Orphan.’ What I realized is that a lot of my past roles had those same psychological, unsettling elements. It’s funny, because I started thinking about shows like ‘X-Files’ – that weird, atmospheric vibe – and I realized I’d been subtly involved in this world for years. The genre is so layered, and I just hadn’t fully connected the dots. Saying it all out loud now, it’s like a flood of memories! It’s been a fun realization, honestly.

ScreenRant mentioned that Dorry seems to interact with Dan the most throughout the show, and asked about the experience of developing the special connection and dynamic between those two characters.

Judith Light describes her colleague as a deeply insightful person. She emphasizes his intelligence and ability to create believable characters, which allowed them to connect and collaborate effortlessly, even without much discussion. She also credits the quality of the scripts and, most importantly, the strong emotional connection they shared. They didn’t need to over-analyze each scene; the characters developed naturally from that feeling. Having a skilled director like Karyn Kusama helped guide them through specific moments as well. Unlike some actors who like to meticulously discuss their approach, both Light and her colleague prefer to focus on the emotional truth of the scene.

ScreenRant: I love that, it creates a more organic atmosphere for you both.

That’s a great way to put it. It’s less about thinking about the story and more about feeling it. When you’re truly connecting with a show, you’re not just watching – you’re experiencing it emotionally. And when you feel that connection between the characters, it creates a much more powerful and engaging experience.

Be sure to dive into some of our other Terror: Devil in Silver-related coverage with:

  • Victor LaValle, Chris Cantwell & Karyn Kusama break down their approach to adapting The Devil in Silver
  • Dan Stevens offering a brief tease of his Dexter: Resurrection season 2 villain
  • Stevens on how The Terror: The Devil in Silver includes subtle nods to both Legion and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
  • Judith Light addressing the chances of a Law and Order return
  • Kusama reflecting on her scrapped “new take” on Dracula and potential revival at Blumhouse

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2026-05-08 21:41