Summer H. Howell on 'Carrie': Journaling helps shed intense characters
Synopsis
Summer H. Howell, starring in Mike Flanagan's reimagining of Stephen King's 'Carrie' on Prime Video, says journaling is her go-to reset after 12-hour days covered in blood and mud — a rare candid window into how actors cope with emotionally heavy roles.
Key Takeaways
Howell stars in the streaming miniseries 'Carrie' , based on the Stephen King novel, now available on Prime Video .
Howell says she journals regularly to mentally shed intense characters after gruelling 12-hour shoot days .
Director Mike Flanagan has updated the story to incorporate cyberbullying and modern teenage social-media pressures.
The series expands on earlier adaptations, including Brian De Palma 's classic 1976 film, by exploring characters' psychological backstories in greater depth.
Co-actress Samantha Sloyan joined Howell during the show's promotional tour.
Actress Summer H. Howell, who is drawing considerable praise for her performance in the recently released streaming miniseries 'Carrie', has revealed that she relies on journaling to mentally cleanse herself of the intense, emotionally weighty characters she portrays on screen.
Life on a Demanding Set
Speaking during the promotional run of the show alongside co-actress Samantha Sloyan, Howell opened up about the physical and mental demands of the production. 'Well, I have limited time when you're working 12-hour days and a lot of those are covered in blood head to toe or mud or whatever else they want to throw at me,' she said. 'But my only other job really was to make sure I stayed healthy to go home and eat food and go to bed on time even when I wanted to stay up and do my own thing. But yeah, I also journal a lot.'
She added that the practice helped her maintain perspective through the gruelling shoot: 'So, keeping track of things mentally, being grateful through it all because there's no reason not to be.'
About the Series
The miniseries is based on the iconic Stephen King novel of the same name and follows a socially isolated teenager as she navigates high school, bullying, and the oppressive influence of her mother, Margaret, while discovering her telekinetic abilities. Director Mike Flanagan has updated the story for the social-media era, weaving in cyberbullying, online humiliation, and the intensified pressures of modern adolescence.
How It Expands on Earlier Adaptations
The series format gives the narrative considerably more room to breathe compared with its predecessors. It expands several supporting characters and digs deeper into the psychological roots of cruelty, victimhood, and revenge than earlier screen versions. While Brian De Palma's 1976 film remains the most celebrated adaptation, the episodic structure allows for a more layered exploration of the source material's themes.
Where to Watch
The miniseries is currently available to stream on Prime Video. With Howell's performance earning strong early word-of-mouth, attention will now turn to whether the show builds further awards-season momentum in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Sleep, gratitude — points to a broader shift in how the industry is beginning to talk about actor wellbeing. Flanagan's track record of drawing raw performances from his casts makes this observation more than incidental. Whether the conversation translates into systemic on-set support, however, remains an open question.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Summer H. Howell and what is she known for?
Summer H. Howell is an actress currently receiving strong attention for her lead role in the streaming miniseries 'Carrie', based on the Stephen King novel. The show is available on Prime Video and has been updated for the social-media era by director Mike Flanagan.
What is the 'Carrie' miniseries about?
The miniseries follows Carrie, a socially isolated teenager navigating high school bullying, her mother Margaret's oppressive influence, and the emergence of her telekinetic powers. Director Mike Flanagan incorporates cyberbullying and modern teenage pressures, expanding on both the Stephen King novel and earlier film adaptations.
How does the new 'Carrie' series differ from Brian De Palma's 1976 film?
The series format allows for a deeper exploration of supporting characters and the psychological roots of cruelty and victimhood, going well beyond the scope of De Palma's celebrated but condensed film. Mike Flanagan also updates the story for the social-media age, adding cyberbullying and online humiliation as narrative elements.
Why does Summer H. Howell journal during intense productions?
Howell says journaling helps her mentally release the weight of emotionally heavy characters after long, physically demanding shoot days. She described it as a way of staying grounded and grateful while maintaining her health during the production.
Where can viewers watch the 'Carrie' miniseries?
The 'Carrie' miniseries is available to stream on Prime Video.
