Casting follows the source material closely for most roles, with Rob Lowe as Ben Mears, Samantha Mathis as Susan Norton, Rutger Hauer as Barlow, Donald Sutherland as Straker, and James Cromwell as Callahan. The primary progressive element is the adaptational change to the established character Matt Burke (originally white and heterosexual in the novel), portrayed here as a gay Black man by Andre Braugher, including a subplot involving his attraction to Mike Ryerson that critics described as poorly executed and even homophobic.

This sexuality and race alteration for a pre-existing character meets the established-character change threshold but remains a minor subplot rather than a narrative driver. No creator statements emphasize activism, no systemic oppression or identity politics themes dominate the plot, and the story retains its focus on supernatural evil, small-town secrets, and faith versus horror without lecture moments or DEI mandates.