Outcast season 1: Philip Glenister promises terrifying horror series will get 'darker'

If zombies in The Walking Dead aren't scary enough then Outcast is the show for you. The new horror series, created by TWD's Robert Kirkman, covers everything from the supernatural, demons and exorcism. The show's lead star Philip Glenister promises that there is plenty more "darkness" to come as the first season progresses.

Based on Kirkman's comics, Outcast follows the story of Kyle Barnes, played by Patrick Fugit, who has been haunted by demonic possessions his entire life. With the help of Reverend Anderson, played by Glenister, Kyle seeks to live a normal life but his mission could prove to be more troublesome than he had planned.

Shedding light on the dynamic between Kyle and Reverend Anderson, Glenister told IBTimes UK: "I suppose the relationship to begin with is a bit like mentor and student. As the series carries on, there becomes this conflict of interest and I think there's an element where Anderson starts questioning his own beliefs and powers.

"He sees this upstart coming along who's had a very complex background but in a funny sort of way. It comes to a head in episode eight and we have a big moment. They kind of need each other as we see the series progress. It gets much darker. There are moments of humour which hasn't come across in the pilot. Anderson, although he's complex, he's got a sort of slightly maverick approach to everything. It'll be quite nice to play on that element."

Outcast's pilot is certainly not for the faint-hearted with the supernatural activities shown in full effect. Glenister, best known for Life On Mars, Ashes To Ashes and Big School, admits that the scenes in episode one are quite terrifying for a TV show. The actor said: "I thought, 'How are they going to get away with this'. [But] it's a cable show so there's a lot more creative freedom.

SPOILER ALERT

"It's just something that I thought was bold and different and quite insane. That's why I wanted pursue it and go up for it. It's so out of my comfort zone in many respects I just thought it would be a challenge to see what happens. It's the third time I've seen [the pilot] and I just shudder when he starts beating the s**t out of Joshua."

Horrors are certainly becoming popular again with films like The Conjuring and Insidious striking gold at the box office. Addressing the resurgence of supernatural films and TV shows, Glenister states: "You can't beat a good exorcism. You get the remakes of all these things – The Exorcist, Poltergeist. I think people are just intrigued by the occult. We live in a very scary world, it's changed a huge amount and when you're dealing with subjects like religion, brainwashing people in a cult, that's going to transcend itself into film and storytelling ultimately.

"Funnily enough, our industry is seen as making stories up. But in a roundabout way, it's the whole distrust of the media, politicians and church leaders recently. So people are now looking to the truth coming out of filmmaking and television dramas. You never would have thought it'd be possible 30 or 40 years ago but people are looking for a reason and drama is committed to fulfilling that which I think is fascinating."

Outcast premieres Tuesday 7 June 10pm on FOX.

Watch the Outcast trailer: