Titus Welliver Praises Peacock's New 8-Part Serial Killer Thriller Series That Needs Season 2

Published Oct 29, 2026, 6:15 PM EDT Jeff Dodge (he/him), a published author and graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena. Fun Fact: he’s been to every single Idol Live! Tour. Titus Welliver recently heaped major praise on Peacock's newest horror series, Crystal Lake. The serial killer thriller is a spinoff of the long-running Friday the 13th franchise that began in 1980. Eleven more films (including a crossover with A Nightmare on Elm Street) were released in the subsequent years, with the most recent installment being a reboot in 2009. After laying dormant ever since, Peacock just revived the franchise with a TV prequel. After Peacock released all eight episodes of Crystal Lake on October 15, Welliver took to Instagram to give his reaction. The actor called the series "so good" and said that star Linda Cardellini, who plays Jason's mother, Pamela Voorhees, is "the gold standard!" As of this writing, the Instagram post has received over 400 likes. Titus Welliver: "So good! @lindacardellini as always is the gold standard!" Cardellini is playing a character who has been a part of the Friday the 13th franchise since the very beginning, when Pamela was first played by Betsy Palmer. Taking place in the years leading up to the 1980 film, Crystal Lake centers on the single mother as she mourns the loss of her son, Jason, at Camp Crystal Lake. Throughout the season, her past comes back to haunt her, as major secrets are revealed. Other cast members include William Catlett, Gwendolyn Sundstrom, Cameron Scoggins, Devin Kessler, Callum Vinson, Nick Cordileone, Joy Suprano, Danielle Kotch and Phoenix Parnevik. Brad Caleb Kane created the series and serves as the showrunner, writer and an executive producer with Mark Toberoff, Victor Miller, Robert M. Barsamian, Robert P. Barsamian, Stuart Manashil, Tyson Bidner, Michael Lennox and Roy Lee. Welliver isn't the only person raving about the series. Critics have given Crystal Lake solid reviews and a 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the audience score even higher at 88%. After its October 15 premiere, the thriller shot to No. 1 on Peacock's streaming chart, with viewers watching 1.3 billion minutes so far. As of this writing, Crystal Lake is Peacock's fourth most popular original scripted show of all time. Welliver's positive review comes after the actor played a police officer alongside J.K. Simmons in MGM+'s crime drama The Westies, which has also earned mostly positive reviews. The streamer has yet to renew the series, but Welliver already has another TV role in the works, as he's been cast in The Night Agent season 4. Before this, he had appeared in movies like Argo and Transformers: Age of Extinction, and the TV shows NYPD Blue, Deadwood, Sons of Anarchy, The Good Wife and Dark Winds. In 2014, he brought Michael Connelly's literary character Harry Bosch to life on the small screen in Prime Video's procedural Bosch, which ran for seven seasons before ending in 2021, and the spinoffs Bosch: Legacy and Ballard. Welliver's TV and movie performances over the years have long been praised by fans, especially his role in Bosch. Now he's paying it forward with a rave review of a series that he found to be a compelling watch and an actress that he clearly admires. Crystal Lake hasn't been renewed for a second season yet, but the early ratings and reviews (including from Welliver) are hopeful signs for its future. Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00 Network Peacock Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane Cast Linda Cardellini Pamela Voorhees William Catlett Levon Brooks Nearly a year after young Jason Voorhees drowns in Crystal Lake, grieving mother Pam is still unable unable to move on. When two strangers arrive at her door asking questions about her past, bodies begin turning up and fear spreads throughout the lakeside community. Directors Michael Lennox, Logan George, Celine Held, Quyen Tran Writers Brad Caleb Kane, Evan Endicott, Josh Stoddard, Bryan Fuller, Karl Taro Greenfeld, Laura Marks Franchise(s) Friday The 13th Main Genre Horror Creator(s) Brad Caleb Kane Producers Brad Kane, Marc Toberoff, Roy Lee, Tyson Bidner, Victor Miller, Stuart Manashil, Robert M. Barsamian Seasons 1 Creator Bryan Fuller Sequel Friday the 13th Production Company A24 Television, Crystal Lake Entertainment, Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films Studio A24 Characters By Victor Miller Distributor Peacock Main Characters Jason, Sam, Imala, Adira, Adam, Donny, Issac