Matthew Scott Kane and David A. Goodman, the showrunners of the chilling new series Hysteria!, captivated audiences at New York Comic Con with a glimpse into the satanic panic that swept America in the late 1980s. This coming-of-age horror story promises a thrilling ride filled with suspense, social commentary, and supernatural chills.

Hysteria!, Peacock’s original pop-horror thriller, delves into a small town gripped by a wave of murders, and kidnappings. Diving deep into alleged supernatural activity during the “Satanic Panic.” When a beloved varsity quarterback vanishes, a struggling high school heavy metal band seizes the opportunity to rebrand themselves as a Satanic metal band. Exploiting the town’s growing fascination with the occult. However, their actions inadvertently fuel a witch hunt that ultimately targets them as a series of increasingly bizarre events unfold. The series stars Julie Bowen, Anna Camp, Emjay Anthony, Chiara Aurelia, Kezii Curtis, and Nikki Hahn. In addition, there is a recurring guest appearance by Bruce Campbell, the series premiered on October 18, 2024.

Behind the Scenes: The Creative Minds at Work on “Hysteria!”

In an interview during New York Comic Con the pair of showrunners told us where they drew their inspiration.

Series creator and lifelong 80s horror fan Matthew Scott Kane brings his passion to the screen as Executive Producer and Showrunner. Kane aims to capture the fast-paced, high-energy style of classic horror films like Re-Animator, Evil Dead, and Fright Night. He’s joined by fellow Executive Producer and Showrunner David A. Goodman, whose impressive credits include acclaimed shows like Futurama and Star Trek: Enterprise. Having lived through the 80s, Goodman provides firsthand insight into the satanic panic phenomenon. He recognizes its reflection of recurring fear and paranoia across generations.

Goodman emphasizes that “Hysteria!” is grounded in the specific anxieties of the 1980s. However, its themes are universal. Overall, he believes every generation faces its own “satanic panic,” driven by fear of the unknown and a tendency to scapegoat. By revisiting this period, the show offers a chilling reminder of how easily fear can be manipulated and how quickly it can spiral out of control.

Not Familiar with New York Comic Con? Here’s what to know!

New York Comic Con (NYCC) is a massive annual fan convention held in New York City. Essentially, it’s a celebration of all things pop culture. From comics and graphic novels to anime, manga, video games, movies, and television, NYCC has something for everyone. Furthermore, attendees can explore a huge marketplace of vendors selling collectibles, toys, and art. They can meet their favorite comic book artists and writers in Artist Alley.

Of course, no Comic-Con experience would be complete without cosplay! NYCC features a massive cosplay masquerade where attendees can show off their incredible costumes. In addition to the exhibit hall and Artist Alley, NYCC offers a variety of panels and screenings. With over 200,000 attendees in 2022, it’s North America’s largest fan convention. Making it the perfect place for pop culture enthusiasts to connect and share their passions. This year, NYCC takes over the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from October 17-20.