Did you know Sydney Sweeney once lent her voice to a chilling Stephen King adaptation that most fans have never heard of? It’s a hidden gem in the King universe, and it’s not what you’d expect. Let’s dive into the eerie world of Strawberry Spring, a short story that first appeared in Ubris Magazine back in 1968, when King was just 19 years old. A decade later, it found a broader audience in his anthology Night Shift. The tale unfolds on a fictional New England college campus, where a mysterious serial killer, dubbed Springheel Jack, emerges with the unseasonably early arrival of spring. Inspired by a 19th-century English urban legend, the story is narrated by a man who recounts the murders while nostalgically recalling similar crimes from his childhood. But here’s where it gets twisted: the narrator is revealed to be Springheel Jack himself, despite having no memory of his actions. Talk about a plot twist!
While Strawberry Spring isn’t among King’s most famous works, his vast bibliography ensures that even his lesser-known stories find new life in adaptations. Case in point: The Monkey saw two separate adaptations within a single year—a testament to King’s enduring appeal. And in 2021, Strawberry Spring got its moment in the spotlight with a fully-produced audio drama by iHeart Media and Audio Up Media. Stretched into eight weekly episodes, this adaptation stayed true to the story’s 1968 setting but expanded its world with richer details and a larger cast of characters.
Garrett Hedlund took on the role of Henry, the narrator, while Sydney Sweeney joined the ensemble cast alongside Milo Ventimiglia, Herizen F. Guardiola, Ken Marino, Al Madrigal, and Brooke Basinger. And this is the part most people miss: Sweeney’s role was purely supporting, but her involvement adds a layer of star power to this lesser-known project. You can listen to the entire series on the Audio Up website—trust me, it’s worth it.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. The audio drama took some creative liberties to flesh out the story. In this version, Henry is a reporter investigating the Springheel Jack murders, uncovering his own dark past through flashbacks. We learn that he witnessed his mother’s near-fatal car crash and are left to wonder if he played a role in her death to end her suffering. The adaptation delves deeper into the characters’ personal lives, adding layers of complexity that the original story only hinted at.
Garrett Hedlund opened up about the experience in a 2021 Rolling Stone interview, revealing that the cast never actually met in person—a common practice in voice acting. He found the role particularly engaging due to Henry’s internal struggles, describing it as a “fun little roller-coaster” of psychological and almost psychotic internal dialogue.
This wasn’t the first time King’s work was adapted into audio form. In 1984, the ZBS Foundation released a 3-D audio version of The Mist that, in my opinion, outshines the Frank Darabont film. The BBC also got in on the action, producing audio adaptations of Salem’s Lot (1995), Pet Sematary (1997), Secret Window (2003), and Misery (2004). Audio formats have a unique way of heightening suspense, leaving the gore to your imagination—a refreshing change in today’s visually saturated media landscape.
But here’s the controversial part: Is audio the superior medium for horror? Some argue that the lack of visuals forces listeners to engage their imaginations more deeply, making the scares far more personal. Others believe that film and TV offer a more immersive experience. What do you think? Does audio horror hit differently for you? Let’s debate it in the comments—I’m all ears!
