ORANGE — Orange residents have been patiently awaiting the premiere of “Castle Rock,” a Hulu series filmed partially in their town, and the time has finally come.
Residents and others will get to see the finished product on Wednesday, as there will be community screenings in Orange and Fitchburg.
For several months, the quiet and quaint neighborhoods of the North Quabbin town known as “Friendly Town” turned frightening while the filming took place. Residents saw actors, film crews and sets day after day. But, it will all come together when “Castle Rock” airs on Hulu, a subscription video-on-demand service.
Next week, the familiarity of the North Main Street church and the Millers river will be seen on screen.
The suspense series set in Stephen King’s fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine, will debut its first three episodes. Two first-come, first-served community viewing parties will be held at Witty’s Funeral Home at 158 South Main St.
The first viewing party at Witty’s will be at 3 p.m. for Orange residents ages 55 and older only. The second will be at 7 p.m. for Orange residents 18 and older. Both screenings are free, but only 80 people will be allowed in due to space constraints, and no food can be brought in.
“I think it’s a great thing for the community,” said Selectboard member Tom Smith, who plans to attend one of the screenings at Witty’s. “I kind of wanted it to stay close to home.”
Another free screening will take place at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School at 1050 Westminster St. in Fitchburg at 5:30 p.m. for ages 18 and older. To reserve a spot at the Fitchburg screening, residents should email a request to mafilminfo@gmail.com and include their name and any guests they would like to bring.
“Castle Rock” is based on numerous written works by Stephen King. The town, Castle Rock, is featured in the author’s novels “Cujo,” “The Dead Zone,” “The Dark Half” and other novels, novellas and short stories. Hulu ordered at least 10 episodes of the series.
Starring Sissy Spacek, Melanie Lynskey and André Holland, the show will feature characters and places familiar to Stephen King fans.
Orange residents have expressed excitement over the show and the spotlight it will shine on the town. All four members of the Selectboard have said they hope the show comes back to film for a second season. That has not yet been confirmed.
Businesses in town seem to agree, with the Pizza Factory changing its awning to read “Castle Rock Pizza Factory,” and Trail Head Outfitters and General Store selling a variety of “Castle Rock”-themed goods.
“We have coffee, balloons, shirts, hats, postcards, mugs and even jigsaw puzzles,” said Paul Anderson, Trail Head’s co-owner.
Anderson said people have frequently come into the store solely to buy “Castle Rock” products, including a T-shirt designed by local artist Siiri Paton.
The T-shirt is inspired by past photos of trains and buildings in Orange with the words, “Castle Rock, Massachusetts” in a spooky font.
Anderson said the local hype around “Castle Rock” isn’t just that it’s set in the Stephen King world or made with famous actors and producers like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams. Rather, the locals are excited that the town is getting recognition.
Joseph Stargensky, one of the show’s location managers, recalled the production team saying, “This is Castle Rock right here,” when they found Orange, and one producer, Robin Sweet, has called the town a lovely location in which to shoot.