The Stand teaser trailer gives first look at Whoopi Goldberg’s Mother Abigail

Stephen King’s iconic 1978 novel The Stand comes to life in the first trailer for the highly-anticipated CBS All Access limited series, which was first showcased during the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.

The trailer (via CBS All Access YouTube) offers a first look at this star-studded cast, including Whoopi Goldberg playing Mother Abagail, James Marsden as Stu Redman and Alexander Skarsgard portraying Randall Flagg.

The beloved novel was originally adapted into a four-episode mini-series by CBS in 1994, starring Gary Sinise as Stu Redman, Ruby Dee as Mother Abigail and Jamey Sheridan as Randall Flagg.

New trailer: Stephen King’s iconic 1978 novel The Stand comes to life in the first trailer for the highly-anticipated CBS All Access limited series, which was first showcased during the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards

The trailer begins with a young woman named Frannie Goldsmith (Odessa Young) walking through a cornfield, when she comes to a mysterious circular clearing, where she meets Abagail.

‘My name is Abigail Freemantle. You come see me at Hemingfoot Home,’ Mother Abigail tells the awestruck young woman.

The rest of the 30-second teaser is comprised of brief shots of several main characters, who are dealing with the aftermath of an influenza pandemic that kills nearly the entire world’s population. 

Abigail: The trailer begins with a young woman named Frannie Goldsmith (Odessa Young) walking through a cornfield, when she comes to a mysterious circular clearing, where she meets Abagail

Abigail: The trailer begins with a young woman named Frannie Goldsmith (Odessa Young) walking through a cornfield, when she comes to a mysterious circular clearing, where she meets Abagail

Among the other characters we’re introduced to are Heather Graham’s Rita Blakemoor, who is seen wandering the streets of New York City with Jovan Adepo’s Larry Underwood. 

We also get a glimpse at Owen Teague’s Harold Lauder, who is seen slapping himself in front of a mirror, while Tarun Keram’s Steve is seen looking up from a piano.

Greg Kinnear’s Glen Bateman is seen lying on the floor blowing smoke rings before we get a glimpse at Alexander Skarsgard’s villainous Randall Flagg.

Survivors: Among the other characters we're introduced to are Heather Graham's Rita Blakemoor, who is seen wandering the streets of New York City with Jovan Adepo's Larry Underwood

Survivors: Among the other characters we’re introduced to are Heather Graham’s Rita Blakemoor, who is seen wandering the streets of New York City with Jovan Adepo’s Larry Underwood

Characters: We also get a glimpse at Owen Teague's Harold Lauder, who is seen slapping himself in front of a mirror, while Tarun Keram's Steve is seen looking up from a piano

Characters: We also get a glimpse at Owen Teague's Harold Lauder, who is seen slapping himself in front of a mirror, while Tarun Keram's Steve is seen looking up from a piano

Characters: We also get a glimpse at Owen Teague’s Harold Lauder, who is seen slapping himself in front of a mirror, while Tarun Keram’s Steve is seen looking up from a piano

Villain: Greg Kinnear's Glen Bateman is seen lying on the floor blowing smoke rings before we get a glimpse at Alexander Skarsgard's villainous Randall Flagg

Villain: Greg Kinnear's Glen Bateman is seen lying on the floor blowing smoke rings before we get a glimpse at Alexander Skarsgard's villainous Randall Flagg

Villain: Greg Kinnear’s Glen Bateman is seen lying on the floor blowing smoke rings before we get a glimpse at Alexander Skarsgard’s villainous Randall Flagg

The final shot of the trailer offers a glimpse at James Marsden’s Stu Redman as Mother Abigail is seen with a large white dog.

The nine-episode mini-series is based on King’s epic novel, which, at 1,152 pages, is the longest novel in King’s illustrious career.

The novel has sold over 4.5 million copies around the world, and has been named one of the best novels of all-time by Time, Rolling Stone and the BBC.

Final shot: The final shot of the trailer offers a glimpse at James Marsden's Stu Redman as Mother Abigail is seen with a large white dog

Final shot: The final shot of the trailer offers a glimpse at James Marsden's Stu Redman as Mother Abigail is seen with a large white dog

Final shot: The final shot of the trailer offers a glimpse at James Marsden’s Stu Redman as Mother Abigail is seen with a large white dog

Epic: The nine-episode mini-series is based on King's epic novel, which, at 1,152 pages, is the longest novel in King's illustrious career

Epic: The nine-episode mini-series is based on King’s epic novel, which, at 1,152 pages, is the longest novel in King’s illustrious career

The Stand was created by Josh Boone (The New Mutants), who directed all nine episodes, and Ben Cavell, based on King’s novel, with the author himself writing a brand new coda for the series.

The series will premiere on Thursday, December 17 on the CBS All Access streaming service. 

New episodes will be dropping weekly on subsequent Thursdays, as opposed to the binge watch model.

Creator: The Stand was created by Josh Boone (The New Mutants), who directed all nine episodes, and Ben Cavell, based on King's novel, with the author himself writing a brand new coda for the series

Creator: The Stand was created by Josh Boone (The New Mutants), who directed all nine episodes, and Ben Cavell, based on King’s novel, with the author himself writing a brand new coda for the series

Premiere: The series will premiere on Thursday, December 17 on the CBS All Access streaming service

Premiere: The series will premiere on Thursday, December 17 on the CBS All Access streaming service

New series: New episodes will be dropping weekly on subsequent Thursdays, as opposed to the binge watch model

New series: New episodes will be dropping weekly on subsequent Thursdays, as opposed to the binge watch model