Having served as the inspiration for over 300 productions of various kinds, it’s well-known that Stephen King turns everything he touches into gold. This was no exception with his series “The Outsider,” which, despite being released in 2020, has recently secured a solid spot in Max’s Top 10 most-watched worldwide, according to FlixPatrol.
Both platform users and critics alike have shown equal appreciation for the show, as it not only serves as a psychological thriller but also incorporates horror elements aligned with the supernatural. These two genres typically remain separate, giving the series a unique position in the Max catalog with little competition of its kind.
Furthermore, its story delves into drama themes such as grief, addiction, and families on the verge of collapse. Together, these elements combined to create a terrific narrative that continues to be binge-watched four years after its release.
The Outsider ranked No. 6 series on Max worldwide
With only ten episodes premiered in the first months of 2020, “The Outsider” managed to become one of the best Max productions to date and has risen to be the sixth most-watched series worldwide.
It has impressively surpassed Kate Winslet’s “Regime” and is currently in a neck-and-neck competition for the fifth spot with “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” which released the first episode of its second season six days ago.
“The Outsider” follows detective Ralph Anderson, tasked with investigating a murder seemingly committed by supernatural forces he doesn’t believe in. Constantly confronted with contradictory evidence, Anderson finds himself at an impasse until he begins to acknowledge the possibility of entities beyond the human realm.
While critics have lauded Cynthia Erivo as the standout performer of the show, the cast also boasts stars like Ben Mendelsohn, Bill Camp, Jeremy Bobb, and Mare Winningham.
Regarding a potential second season, Stephen King revealed to IndieWire in 2020 that scripts have been completed and the leads have expressed keen interest in continuing, but HBO has shown little interest in pursuing the idea.