‘From’ Interview: Harold Perrineau on Making TV’s Scariest Cult Phenomenon [December Cover Story]
Ask anyone around Dread Central headquarters which show has redefined horror television the most in recent years, and you’ll get the same answer: From. Initially an underseen gem only for those in the know, the now MGM+ cult phenomenon could be described as a project actively blending supernatural terror with profoundly human storytelling. The show traps its characters and audience in a terrifying, unnamed small town.
And it’s here where Harold Perrineau finds himself at the center of all the chaos, whose layered performance as Boyd Stevens anchors a tragic and relentlessly unforgiving narrative. Alongside him is a visionary creative team, including series creator John Griffin and showrunner Jeff Pinkner, who’ve worked tirelessly to craft a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is terrifying.
I’ve had the good fortune to sit down with Perrineau, Griffin, and Pinkner to unpack how a horror series on an unknown streaming service would quickly become the most-discussed and theorized show on television. They also share crucial insight into why From is able to scare its audience so brilliantly. Be warned, the show’s breakaway antagonist, Mr. Smiley, portrayed by the brilliant actor Jamie McGuire, may also make an appearance…
It’s about the cruelty of caring.
For Harold Perrineau, From works because it speaks to universal fears and human resilience. Perrineau, a household name from his outstanding tenures on hit shows like Lost and Oz, knows the secret to building tension. “The scares work because you care about these people,” he explains. “Once you start living through someone else’s eyes, when they’re scared, you’re scared.” This emotional investment is what makes From more than just a horror show. At its core, it’s about survival—both in the supernatural town and the human psyche.
Perrineau’s character, Boyd, is a man shaped by impossible choices. “The storyline with Abby still gets under my skin,” he shares, referencing the harrowing decision Boyd made in season one to protect his family. “Prepping for that—having to choose between the two big loves of your life—that’s a hard choice. It still reverberates in my body.” This emotional depth is part of what gives From its heart, turning nightmarish circumstances into captured moments of human strength and vulnerability. It weaponizes your emotions and has little compassion for its complex characters, which you have little choice but to fall in love with.
Sharai Bohannon, staff writer at Dread Central and the person responsible for turning my colleagues and me on to the series, believes that human connection is why the show has resonated so deeply with its audience. “This show captures millennial anxiety, which is why it is the most terrifying thing on screen for three years in a row,” she writes. Bohannon highlights how From mirrors the struggles of navigating “unprecedented times,” making its characters’ plight painfully relatable. “No matter how closely you follow the rules or how hard you safeguard yourself, there is always something out of your control tapping at the window you forgot to double-check.”
A horror television specialist, Bohannon is responsible for crafting the official list of Dread Central’s year-end top 10 horror television shows. This year, she’ll be highlighting From as our #1 scary series of the year, and I’m inclined to agree.
How to craft humanist horror.
Series creator John Griffin, showrunner Jeff Pinkner, and Executive Producer + director Jack Bender have brewed their From potion with a unique spice blend of horror, mystery, and emotional storytelling. Griffin describes the show as a “character drama masquerading as a horror series,” but for Pinkner, the horror serves as a framing device to explore deeper human connections. “The relationships are the soul of the story,” he tells me. “Horror and mystery rivet you, but it’s the humanity that makes you stay.”
This creative focus is reflected in the cast’s camaraderie, both on and off the set. Perrineau credits the show’s success to the strong bond among the team. “We have a lot of laughs with our cast and crew,” he says. “We support each other through the tough days, and that makes all the difference.” Jamie McGuire, who plays the unsettling Smiley, echoes this sentiment. “The cast and crew get along so nicely together, on and off set,” he says. “That chemistry comes through in the show.”
The scares in From are meticulously crafted to keep audiences guessing. Perrineau points to the series’ ability to constantly evolve. “Some of it is really horrible stuff, but it changes up each season,” he says. “At the end of the day, it’s because of the characters—you empathize with them, you put yourself in their shoes.”
John Griffin credits much of the show’s impact to its ability to immerse viewers in its world. “From the very start, we’ve had fans embracing not only the mythology but also the characters,” he explains. “It’s rare in today’s overcrowded landscape to find such dedicated engagement.” For Griffin and Pinkner, this fan connection is deeply gratifying. “The intensity and passion fans bring to the show is something we never take for granted,” Pinkner adds.
Dread’s own Sharai Bohannon captures this phenomenon beautifully, describing how From creates a sense of community among its viewers. “We cannot help but feel like we are part of the Fromily,” she writes. The term “Fromily,” used by the growing group of passionate fans entrance by the series, encapsulates the unique, maybe cultish, bond between the show’s characters, cast, and audience—a bond that turns every death and revelation into a shared emotional experience.
Adoration from the King.
No discussion of From would be complete without mentioning Stephen King’s enthusiastic support. The legendary author has been vocal about his admiration for the series, a fact that still astonishes Harold Perrineau. “It tickles me,” he tells me. “He’s Stephen King—they should call him Stephen ‘Buck’ King. To have the greatest horror writer of our time backing us, it’s incredible.”
For Griffin and Pinkner, King’s endorsement is a testament to the show’s success in blending horror and character-driven drama. “Stephen King always creates characters you love, which is why his stories can sustain such long narratives,” Pinkner explains. Knowing that King appreciates their work is a point of pride for the entire team.
Despite its growing acclaim, From remains a show that surprises even its creators. Perrineau recalls his reaction to the series being renewed for its third season. “With the way the business works, nothing is guaranteed,” he says. “Some shows do a season, and then they’re gone. So, when we got the third season, we were super excited.” Since our conversation, it was renewed by MGM+ for a fourth season. It’s no surprise anymore since the audience seems to grow exponentially by the minute.
This gratitude extends to the show’s passionate fanbase, who dissect every detail and share theories with fervor. Griffin marvels at the level of engagement, describing how fans have created everything from detailed message boards to stunning fan art. “There’s a wall of fan art in our production offices,” he says. “The adoration for the show is universal among the cast and crew.”
Jamie McGuire has experienced this firsthand in his encounters with fans. “When I’ve met fans in person, they’re not quite sure I’m Smiley until they approach me, ask me if I’m him, and then I smile,” he shares. “When I do, they’re happy, compliment me on my role, and want to get their photo taken with me. It’s a great feeling to meet fans and be part of such an amazing show.”
Holding out for a hero.
At the heart of From is Boyd Stevens, a character who embodies the series’ themes of resilience and sacrifice. Perrineau embraces the challenge of portraying such a layered figure. “He’s not perfect. He’s scared, and he makes mistakes,” he says. “But that’s what makes him real.”
Sharai Bohannon sees Boyd as a beacon for viewers navigating their own struggles. “Boyd is our lifeline in this scary world as he makes difficult choices, attempting to keep everyone alive until they figure out how to get out,” she writes. His journey is a testament to the human spirit, even in the face of unknowable monstrosities.
As From now wraps its third season, the cast and crew remain committed to telling the best story they can. Perrineau, ever humble, describes his role as a privilege. “Acting is what I’m good at,” he says. “And with From, I get to do what I love with people I admire.”
Sharai Bohannon sums up the series’ impact with poignant clarity. “This show may be nightmare fuel, but it is also healing,” she writes. For fans, From offers more than scares—it provides a sense of connection, reflection, and hope. And for Harold Perrineau, it’s a chance to do what he does best: make us care, make us feel, and, of course, make us scream.
Want even more insight behind the scenes of From? Check out today’s episode of Dread Central’s Development Hell podcast featuring creator John Griffin and showrunner Jeff Pinkner:
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