TCA16: TNT, Shyamalan Scare Up 'Tales From the Crypt'

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Pasadena, Calif. -- TNT will resurrect the 1990’s anthology series Tales From The Crypt as part of a new two-hour terror-themed block of programming developed by M. Night Shyamalan, the network said Thursday during its Television Critics Association press tour presentation.

The block, which will launch this fall, will feature both short and long-form storytelling, led by Tales from the Crypt, which ran on HBO from 1989 to 1996. TNT will announce additional series to be featured in the horror block in the coming months.

"This is a new genre for us in our series efforts and a great chance to partner with M. Night Shyamalan, whose blockbuster hit The Visit reminded movie audiences and critics this past summer that he truly is a master of horror," said Sarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT. "This two-hour horror block demonstrates not only TNT's commitment to working with today's top talents, but also our strategy to stand out in today's marketplace by challenging the conventional rules of programming and scheduling.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.