The Friday the 13th franchise is stirring back to life, and recent reports suggest that Linda Cardellini may be joining Crystal Lake, the highly anticipated prequel series from A24 and Peacock. The news, first reported by The InSneider, states that Cardellini is in talks for a role—one that some speculate could be the iconic Pamela Voorhees, originally portrayed by the late Betsy Palmer.

From La Llorona to Camp Crystal Lake

If cast, Cardellini would bring a wealth of experience to Crystal Lake, particularly from her past in the horror genre. In Strangeland (1998), she played Genevieve Gage in a psychological thriller that explored online predators and ritualistic terror. Two decades later, she headlined The Curse of La Llorona (2019) as Anna Garcia, a social worker battling a vengeful spirit trying to take her children.

Her potential addition to Crystal Lake would be a fitting continuation of her horror legacy, this time stepping into one of the most infamous slasher franchises of all time.

The Vision Behind Crystal Lake

Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane, a self-professed lifelong Friday the 13th fan, has been crafting his vision for the series since taking over in August 2024. His enthusiasm for the franchise is evident, as he shared in a statement:

“From the moment I watched Jason Voorhees squeeze a guy’s eyeball out of its socket (in glorious 3D!) at the tender age of 8 years old, I knew my creative path was someday destined to converge with The Man Behind The Mask.”

Kane went on to emphasize his excitement for the project, saying:

“Nothing defined my childhood more than growing up in the golden age of the slasher flick, and nothing’s defined the genre more than Friday the 13th. I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to contribute a chapter to this iconic franchise, particularly with such fearless partners as Peacock and A24.”

A Franchise Reborn After 16 Years

With Jason Voorhees lying dormant for nearly two decades due to legal disputes, Crystal Lake represents the first major revival of the Friday the 13th saga in 16 years. The show promises to delve deeper into the origins of Camp Crystal Lake and the horror that lurks within its dark waters.

Should Linda Cardellini officially sign on, her presence would bring both star power and genre credibility to the project. Whether she plays Pamela Voorhees or another key character, her addition could be a defining factor in the series’ success.

For now, fans will have to wait for confirmation—but with Crystal Lake already shaping up to be a bold new chapter in the Friday the 13th franchise, the anticipation has never been higher.