The chilling universe of The Conjuring, a horror franchise that has terrified audiences and grossed nearly $2.5 billion worldwide, is poised to haunt television screens in an unprecedented way. HBO Max’s highly anticipated The Conjuring TV series, first announced in 2023, has taken a significant step forward with the appointment of Nancy Won as writer, executive producer, and showrunner, Variety exclusively revealed on September 10, 2025. Joining her are writers Peter Cameron and Cameron Squires, both bringing their Marvel-honed storytelling prowess to this spine-chilling project. With the recent record-breaking success of The Conjuring: Last Rites, which scared up $194 million globally in its opening weeks, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for this series to expand the franchise’s eerie legacy.

This groundbreaking series promises to be a one-of-a-kind addition to the horror genre, continuing the supernatural saga of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played in the films by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Unlike anything else on television, it aims to blend the cinematic intensity of The Conjuring films with the long-form storytelling of prestige TV, offering fans a deeper dive into the Warrens’ world of demons, hauntings, and courage. To put this in perspective, the series’ ambition can be compared to Keanu Reeves’ Constantine (2005), a supernatural thriller that blended gritty mysticism with character-driven drama. While Constantine brought a lone demon hunter to the big screen, The Conjuring series, under Won’s leadership, is set to elevate the genre on television with its unique mix of heart, horror, and historical intrigue. This article explores the series’ development, its creative team, its unparalleled place in horror TV, and how it stacks up against Reeves’ iconic foray into the supernatural.

A New Chapter for a Horror Juggernaut

Since its debut in 2013, The Conjuring franchise has redefined modern horror, spinning a web of terror through four mainline films and spinoffs like Annabelle (three films) and The Nun (two films). Directed by James Wan for its first two installments, the series follows Ed and Lorraine Warren, real-life paranormal investigators, as they confront malevolent forces, from possessed dolls to demonic nuns. The franchise’s success—grossing over $2.3 billion globally—stems from its blend of grounded human drama, historical roots, and unrelenting scares. The Conjuring: Last Rites, released on September 5, 2025, marked a franchise milestone with an $84 million domestic opening, the biggest horror debut ever, per Digital Trends.

The HBO Max series, produced by Warner Bros. Television and James Wan’s Atomic Monster, with Peter Safran as executive producer, will continue the story established in the films, though exact plot details remain shrouded in mystery. First reported in 2023, the project has been slow to gain traction, but the appointment of Won, Cameron, and Squires signals a bold new phase. Unlike the films’ two-hour format, the series offers a chance to explore the Warrens’ cases—or new supernatural tales—in greater depth, potentially spanning eight episodes, as Safran hinted in a 2021 Yahoo interview.

What sets this series apart is its promise to deliver The Conjuring’s cinematic terror in a serialized format, a feat rarely attempted in horror TV. While shows like American Horror Story rely on anthology-style seasons, The Conjuring series aims to maintain a cohesive narrative, much like the films’ interconnected universe. This ambition mirrors Keanu Reeves’ Constantine, a film that dared to bring comic-book occultism to mainstream audiences with a mix of noir, horror, and spiritual depth. Both projects share a commitment to grounding supernatural horror in human emotion, but The Conjuring series, with its seasoned creative team, is poised to surpass Constantine’s scope by weaving a multi-episode saga of fear and faith.

The Creative Team: A Powerhouse of Talent

The appointment of Nancy Won as showrunner is a game-changer. Known for her work on Supernatural, Jessica Jones, Little Fires Everywhere, Tiny Beautiful Things, and Apple TV+’s Sunny, Won brings a knack for blending emotional storytelling with genre thrills. Her experience on Supernatural, a 15-season juggernaut about brothers battling demons, makes her uniquely suited to helm a series rooted in paranormal investigations. Variety notes that Won’s ability to craft “critically praised” shows with complex characters will anchor The Conjuring’s transition to TV, ensuring it retains the films’ heart-pounding intensity and emotional core.

Joining Won are writers Peter Cameron and Cameron Squires, whose Marvel credentials—WandaVision, Agatha All Along, Moon Knight, and Werewolf by Night for Cameron; WandaVision, Agatha All Along, The Acolyte, and Gen V for Squires—promise a fresh yet faithful take on The Conjuring universe. Cameron’s work on Moon Knight showcased his ability to weave psychological depth into supernatural narratives, while Squires’ contributions to The Acolyte demonstrated a flair for expansive world-building. Their combined experience, per Empire, brings “serious franchise pedigree” to the project, ensuring it can balance horror with the character-driven drama that defined the Warrens’ story.

This trio’s involvement elevates The Conjuring series above typical horror fare. Much like Constantine leaned on Reeves’ star power and director Francis Lawrence’s vision to craft a gritty supernatural tale, The Conjuring series benefits from Won’s emotional nuance and Cameron and Squires’ genre expertise. However, where Constantine was constrained by a 121-minute runtime, the HBO Max series has the luxury of long-form storytelling, allowing for deeper exploration of its characters and scares.

A One-of-a-Kind Horror Experience

The Conjuring TV series stands to be a singular achievement in horror television, unmatched in its blend of cinematic polish, historical intrigue, and visceral terror. The films’ success lies in their ability to ground supernatural horror in the real-life struggles of Ed and Lorraine Warren, whose faith and love anchored their battles against evil. The series, per Deadline, will continue this narrative, potentially exploring new cases or diving deeper into the Warrens’ untold stories. Unlike American Horror Story or Stranger Things, which often lean on camp or sci-fi, The Conjuring series promises a grounded yet terrifying tone, rooted in the franchise’s signature blend of dread and humanity.

This ambition draws parallels to Constantine (2005), where Keanu Reeves played John Constantine, a chain-smoking exorcist battling demons while grappling with his own damnation. The film, grossing $230 million worldwide, was praised for its dark atmosphere and Reeves’ brooding charisma, though critics noted its struggle to fully capture the Hellblazer comics’ depth in a single film. The Conjuring series, with its multi-episode format, avoids this limitation, offering room to explore complex characters and layered horror. While Constantine focused on a lone hero’s spiritual war, The Conjuring series emphasizes the Warrens’ partnership, adding a layer of emotional stakes absent in Reeves’ film.

The series’ potential to innovate is evident in its creative team. Won’s work on Jessica Jones showcased her ability to blend trauma and heroism, a skill that could deepen the Warrens’ portrayal if they return (though Variety notes it’s unclear if Wilson and Farmiga will reprise their roles). Cameron and Squires’ Marvel experience, particularly on WandaVision, suggests a knack for crafting interconnected narratives, ideal for expanding The Conjuring’s universe beyond the Warrens to new investigators or cases, as hinted by ScreenRant. This flexibility sets the series apart from Constantine, which, despite a 2024 sequel announcement, remained a standalone story until recently.

Comparing to Constantine: A Study in Supernatural Stakes

To understand The Conjuring series’ unique appeal, a comparison to Constantine is illuminating. Released in 2005, Constantine followed Keanu Reeves as a cynical exorcist navigating a battle between heaven and hell, confronting demons like Balthazar and a possessed Angela Dodson. The film’s strengths—its moody visuals, theological undertones, and Reeves’ magnetic performance—made it a cult classic, despite mixed reviews (46% on Rotten Tomatoes). Its weaknesses, however, included a rushed narrative that struggled to balance action, horror, and character development within its runtime.

The Conjuring series, by contrast, has the advantage of serialization. The films’ success—each earning over $300 million, with Last Rites hitting $194 million in weeks—stems from their slow-burn tension and emotional core, qualities Won is likely to amplify. While Constantine leaned on Reeves’ solitary hero, The Conjuring series can explore ensemble dynamics, potentially introducing new paranormal investigators or revisiting characters like Annabelle Wallis or Jonas Bloquet from the spinoffs. The series’ HBO Max platform also ensures a higher production value than Constantine’s mid-2000s CGI, promising cinematic scares akin to Succession or The White Lotus.

Both projects share a commitment to grounding horror in human struggle. Constantine explored themes of redemption and sacrifice, with John’s battle against cancer and damnation mirroring the Warrens’ fight against evil despite personal risks. However, The Conjuring series, with its basis in real-life cases, adds a historical gravitas that Constantine lacked. The Warrens’ documented investigations, from the Amityville Horror to the Enfield Poltergeist, give the series a unique authenticity, potentially amplified by Won’s experience on Supernatural, which also drew from real folklore.

Why This Series Is a Must-Watch

The Conjuring TV series is poised to be a landmark in horror television for several reasons. First, its creative team—Won, Cameron, and Squires—brings a proven track record of blending genre thrills with emotional depth. Won’s Sunny and Jessica Jones showcased her ability to craft compelling female leads, suggesting a focus on Lorraine Warren’s clairvoyant strength if she returns. Cameron and Squires’ Marvel work ensures a cohesive universe, potentially weaving in Annabelle or The Nun elements, as Collider suggests.

Second, the timing is impeccable. The Conjuring: Last Rites’s box-office triumph—$84 million domestically, per Digital Trends—proves the franchise’s enduring appeal. The series, riding this wave, can capitalize on fans’ hunger for more, especially as horror TV gains traction with shows like Yellowjackets and The Last of Us. Unlike those, The Conjuring series offers a rare blend of historical horror and serialized storytelling, making it a unique draw.

Third, the series’ potential to explore new stories or characters sets it apart. While Constantine was tethered to one hero, The Conjuring’s universe is vast, with spinoffs proving its flexibility. ScreenRant suggests the series could introduce new investigators, keeping the Warrens as a backdrop, much like The Mandalorian expanded Star Wars. This approach could refresh the franchise, avoiding the “superhero fatigue” that plagued Constantine’s era, as noted by Digital Trends.

Fan and Industry Buzz

The announcement has ignited excitement on X, with fans buzzing about the series’ potential. @HorrorJunkie88 posted: “Nancy Won running The Conjuring series? With Marvel writers? This is gonna be terrifyingly epic! #ConjuringTV.” @ScaryMovieFan tweeted: “If it’s half as good as Last Rites, I’m in. Hope they keep the Warrens’ vibe.” Some expressed skepticism, with @TVGuruX writing: “Another franchise series? Hope it’s not just a cash grab. #ConjuringTV.” The industry is equally optimistic, with Variety calling it “a bold step for horror TV” and Collider noting its potential to “redefine the genre.”

Comparisons to Constantine surfaced online, with @ReevesFan22 posting: “Conjuring series could be what Constantine wanted to be—a deep dive into demons and heart. Keanu was great, but this has room to breathe.” The sentiment reflects the series’ potential to surpass Constantine’s limitations, leveraging HBO Max’s prestige platform to deliver a horror epic.

Challenges and Expectations

The series faces hurdles. Maintaining the films’ balance of scares and heart is crucial, as The Nun’s mixed reviews showed fans expect quality. HBO Max’s silence on casting—will Wilson and Farmiga return?—adds uncertainty, with Patrick Wilson telling EW it’s “scary” to imagine a Conjuring project without them. The creative team must also avoid over-saturation, a risk Constantine faced post-release amid superhero fatigue. Yet, with Won’s nuanced storytelling and Cameron and Squires’ genre expertise, the series is well-positioned to succeed.

The lack of plot details, per Variety, fuels intrigue but also pressure to deliver. Fans expect the series to honor the films’ legacy while innovating, perhaps exploring new cases or the Warrens’ early years. Constantine’s cult status grew from its bold risks; The Conjuring series must similarly push boundaries to stand out in a crowded TV landscape.

Conclusion: A Haunting New Era

The Conjuring TV series, with Nancy Won as showrunner and Peter Cameron and Cameron Squires as writers, marks a thrilling evolution for a franchise that’s terrified millions. Its promise of cinematic horror, emotional depth, and historical intrigue sets it apart as a one-of-a-kind horror experience, poised to surpass the legacy of Constantine by leveraging the freedom of serialized storytelling. As The Conjuring: Last Rites dominates theaters, the HBO Max series is primed to carry the torch, delivering chills and heart to a new generation of fans. Whether revisiting the Warrens or forging a new path, this series, backed by a stellar creative team, is set to haunt our screens like nothing before.