The fog over Crystal Lake is beginning to lift. The very first behind-the-scenes photos from Peacock and A24’s highly anticipated Friday the 13th prequel series have surfaced, offering fans an exciting early glimpse at the production’s authentic throwback to the 1970s. Even more thrilling? One image appears to capture actress Linda Cardellini in full costume as Pamela Voorhees, the woman who started it all.

These photos were first revealed by Frank Riker. In the video, several images show the in-progress camp set nestled in the woods of West Milford, New Jersey — a location just an hour from where the original 1980 classic was filmed in Blairstown. The sense of history is palpable.

A Return to 1971

Production officially began on June 20, 2025, under the working title “Mama’s Boy”. Though the show is broadly set in the 1970s, several documents and casting calls point specifically to the year 1971 as its setting. This era marks a poignant prelude to the original film, when Jason’s fate and his mother’s descent into madness began to take shape.

The show, spearheaded by Brad Caleb Kane, is a prequel that aims to expand the mythology of the franchise while honoring its legacy. Kane recently shared a photo from the first day of production on Instagram, confirming that director Michael Lennox is behind the camera for the early episodes, with Maceo Bishop serving as cinematographer.

Casting the Curse

In addition to Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees, the series stars William Catlett as Levon Brooks, Cameron Scoggins as Officer Dorf (a legacy character originally played by Ron Millkie), Devin Kessler as Briana Brooks, and Gwendolyn Sundstrom as Grace. The casting news, officially announced on June 13, has been met with excitement, particularly with the return of a legacy character.

Recent casting calls have sought out teen campers, lifeguards, canoeing instructors, and even archery counselors — all pointing to a full-blown summer camp experience in line with franchise tradition.

Production Timeline

Filming is expected to run through November 21, 2025, making this an extensive shoot that will likely involve seasonal shifts in scenery and mood. For fans, this signals a carefully crafted production that values detail and atmosphere over rushed execution.

Stay tuned to Friday the 13th Legacy for ongoing updates, set breakdowns, cast profiles, and release information as the campfire tales begin again.