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In a remarkable twist of fate, “Wicked” not only dazzled audiences at the box office but also catapulted Cynthia Erivo into the spotlight, marking her transition from the realm of live theater to mainstream recognition. While “Wicked” might have been the spark that ignited widespread attention, Erivo’s foray into screen acting began as early as 2015, with various film and television roles. Among these, her portrayal in “The Outsider” stands out as a performance worthy of newfound appreciation by those just discovering her talent.
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“The Outsider,” a gripping adaptation of Stephen King’s 2018 novel, premiered in 2020 and captivated viewers with its chilling narrative set in a small Oklahoma town shaken by a gruesome murder. Yet, true to King’s signature style, the story veers away from a typical crime drama, venturing into the realms of psychological thriller with supernatural overtones. Erivo shines as Holly Gibney, a detective whose savant-like abilities afford her extraordinary insight into the crime scenes she scrutinizes and the suspects she interrogates.
Holly Gibney’s character, while central to “The Outsider,” actually traces her origins back to King’s 2014 novel “Mr. Mercedes.” She became a beloved figure, appearing in several novels both before and after “The Outsider.” Most recently, King has revisited this intriguing character in his latest novel, “Never Flinch,” which features another of Holly’s adventures.
Holly first came to life on screen through Justine Lupe in the TV adaptation of “Mr. Mercedes,” a series that ran for three seasons on the short-lived Audience network. This adaptation is often hailed as the finest Stephen King television series. King himself has expressed profound admiration for the character of Holly Gibney, wishing she were real so he could enjoy her company. His praise extends to both the “Mr. Mercedes” and “The Outsider” adaptations, as well as the actors who portrayed Holly.
Erivo is the second actor to portray King character Holly Gibney
HBO
Despite “Mr. Mercedes” enjoying a three-season run on a little-known network, HBO’s “The Outsider” concluded after just one season, intended as a limited series. Fans initially held out hope for the series to be picked up elsewhere for more seasons. However, with no developments over the past five years, it seems Erivo’s portrayal of Holly Gibney has reached its conclusion.
Holly was first brought to the screen by actor Justine Lupe, who played Holly Gibney in a TV adaptation of “Mr. Mercedes.” It’s our pick for the best Stephen King TV series, running for three seasons on the now-defunct Audience network. King, who loves the Holly Gibney character so much that he has said he wished she was real so he could hang out with her, had nothing but kind words about both “Mr. Mercedes” and “The Outsider,” as well as both actors’ versions of the character.
While the “Mr. Mercedes” show managed to get three seasons despite being on a channel very few people paid attention to — or even had on their cable plan — HBO let “The Outsider” go after only one, as it was designed as a limited series. Fans initially hoped that it would find a new home for additional seasons, but given that it’s been five years now without news of that happening, Erivo’s time as Holly Gibney is likely at its end.
