Shudder’s ‘Hell Motel’ Promises Gruesome Horror with a Star-Studded Cast

Shudder has unveiled its upcoming horror anthology series Hell Motel, created by Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter, the minds behind Slasher. Starring Emmy Award-winner Eric McCormack, the eight-episode limited series will debut on Shudder and AMC+ with a two-episode premiere on 17 June, followed by weekly Tuesday releases. Fans were also treated to the official trailer and key artwork this week, building anticipation for a series that promises to deliver relentless tension and gruesome surprises.

Hell Motel transports viewers to the Cold River Motel, a location steeped in dark legend after a notorious unsolved Satanic mass murder three decades ago. A group of ten true crime enthusiasts is invited to the venue’s reopening, lured by the promise of exclusive access and macabre fascination. But as they settle in, the atmosphere curdles from excited curiosity to desperate survival when history begins to repeat itself. Stranded and isolated, the guests are picked off one by one, and each death outstrips the last in sheer brutality.

McCormack, best known for Will & Grace and most recently praised for his role in Slasher: Ripper, takes on the role of Hemmingway, a chef with a sinister edge who is guaranteed to leave viewers divided. Commenting on his return to the horror genre, McCormack remarked, “When Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter reached out to tell me they had crafted another irredeemable a-hole for me, my response was, ‘where do I sign?’ If you loved hating Basil Garvey, prepare to feel an instant disdain for Hemmingway.”

Joining McCormack is a cast featuring Paula Brancati as Paige, a former scream queen desperate to reclaim lost fame, and Shaun Benson as Crow, a medium who claims to connect with the motel’s long-dead victims. Atticus Mitchell, Emmanuel Kabongo, Jim Watson, and Genevieve DeGraves round out the group of guests, each carrying secrets and obsessions that draw them deeper into danger. Canadian drag star Icesis Couture makes a memorable guest appearance as Magenta, the real estate agent who sells the ill-fated property to new owners Ruby, played by Brynn Godenir, and Portia, portrayed by Michelle Nolden.

Produced by Shaftesbury with support from Hollywood Suite and the Bell Fund, Hell Motel arrives at a landmark moment for Shudder, as the platform marks its tenth anniversary. This milestone year will see an ambitious programme of new releases, fan-focused events, screenings, and exclusive merchandise under the Shudder 10 banner. The streamer’s prominence in the horror space was cemented last year when it claimed six of Rotten Tomatoes’ top ten horror titles for 2024, with Late Night with the Devil taking the coveted top spot.

If you like a blend of psychological horror, genre self-reflection, and grisly thrills, get ready for 17 June, as Hell Motel gears up to deliver one of the year’s most exciting horror series.

Hell Motel trailer