Child’s Play creator brings Chucky to the small screen

Chucky the tv series premieres today with the first weekly episode from the SyFy and USA networks. Starring Zachary Arthur as Jake Wheeler, the series follows gay teen Jake as he finds the Good Guy doll known as Chucky at a yard sale and takes it home to discover the doll is possessed. Soon strange events start happening around Jake, acts often prompted by Chucky and involving Jake or his classmates.

We also get to watch as Jake struggles with his feelings for classmate Devon, learn about his rocky home life and his abusive absent father (played by 90s teen heartthrob Devon Sawa). Sawa only appears as the father in the first episode so far, while he plays his twin brother in future shows.

The series is breaking new ground bringing queering horror without gays being stereotyped or background character slaughtered. 14-year-old Jake is the perfect protagonist to own and be influenced by Chucky. Series creator Don Mancini has finally given gay kids a character in horror they can relate to, especially having grown up on slasher films with the bullied kids get the supernatural powers to fight back. Yet none of the kids in the previous horror films were gay, those who’ve experienced bullying the most.

Growing up gay and watching films like The Omen, fuelled his creativity and helped create the original Child’s Play films. Mancini is excited for this next chapter in Chucky’s life, and how the storyline will explore young Jake discovering and understanding his sexuality. Mancini is equally excited for what Zachary will bring to the role, in interviews praising the actor, also 14, for how well he’s understood the part and brought the nuanced balance of closed off & anti-social kid who opens up when he’s around his crush.

The first season is only 8 episodes, so this will be a quick watch, but so far we’re hooked and can’t wait to see Jake make a move on Devon. Maybe with a little help from Chucky.