Hulu just released a new trailer for its upcoming eight-episode original series, 11.22.63. Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, the story follows a recently divorced teacher, Jake Epping (James Franco), who gets handed a mission to go back in time to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
So how does this time travel thing work? It turns out that there's an inexplicable portal to 1958 in the back of a local diner. But time travel is never easy, particularly when every change Jake makes in the past affects the present.
Can Jake save JFK? Or is the world better with a history that's been untouched?
Here's the new trailer for the series:
Hulu isn't new to exclusives, but the names behind this project might just put the streaming service on the map as a new go-to for original series. The eight-episode event is a collaboration between King and J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions, and its inspiration comes from a book that stayed on the New York Times Bestseller List for 16 weeks, as well as received many awards.
"Yes, so 11.22.63, a Stephen King book, produced by J.J. Abrams, starring James Franco," said Peter Naylor, Hulu senior VP of ad sales, to Capital New York. "When I say big faces in new places, it is like, J.J. Abrams is making the biggest movie of the year with Star Wars, and his next project is with Hulu. James Franco, Academy-nominated actor, movie star, shows up for this project."
The project also stars Chris Cooper, Josh Duhamel, Cherry Jones, Lucy Fry and Sarah Gadon.
The only downside to this particular miniseries is that Hulu won't release all eight episodes of 11.22.63 at once, separating itself from its competitors binge-watching releases that see all episodes go up at once. Hulu will release only one episode every week for eight weeks, forcing viewers to wait between episodes (although many might wait until all episodes are available to watch).
"We want to give viewers the opportunity to discover their favorite shows every week," said Hulu's Craig Erwich, chief of content, during the Television Critics' Association press tour. "Like you, we value the shared experience and the joy of the water cooler that is television."
The first episode of 11.22.63 airs on Hulu on Feb. 15, 2016 (Presidents Day).
