Under the Dome TV Show vs. Book: Stephen King Explains

Stephen King, in a letter to Constant Readers, addressed concerns about the differences between “Under the Dome” TV series and his book. He compared it to James M. Cain, author of “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” who assured a student his books remained unchanged by Hollywood. King echoed this, stating the original “Under the Dome” novel remains untouched.

King acknowledged significant differences but defended the show’s quality. He noted that many characters, major plot points like the supermarket riot and propane storage, and the theme of dwindling resources transitioned to the screen, albeit with modifications. He approved of changes by Brian K. Vaughan and the writers, recognizing the need to adapt the story for television.

A key difference was the timeline. The dome traps Chester’s Mill for a week in the book, but the show extended this to months, requiring narrative adjustments. The writers also reimagined the Dome’s origin, a change King deemed necessary.

King explained that keeping the book’s explanation would spoil the mystery for viewers, especially since many readers weren’t satisfied with his original solution. This change necessitated further modifications to characters and storylines. Characters who died in the book, like Angie, lived longer in the series, while others faced different fates.

He emphasized his situational writing style, letting the story and characters dictate the plot. While he usually starts with an endpoint, the narrative often evolves organically. He cited examples from “’Salem’s Lot” and “Song of Susannah,” where character fates differed from his initial plans. This organic process, he believed, maintained authenticity.

The one constant was the Dome itself, the imposing presence defining the core conflict. King described the book and series as fraternal twins, sharing an origin but developing distinct identities. He encouraged viewers to embrace the series as an alternate reality. He enjoyed seeing this unfold, reaffirming the fascination with the Dome’s premise. King concluded by reassuring readers the original novel remained untouched, inviting them to revisit it. He emphasized the co-existence of both versions, each offering a unique experience.