Bloody Netflix Horror Series Gives Star Wars Icon A Dream Role

By Christopher Isaac | Published

With so many big shows coming out each year, you could certainly be forgiven if a few flew under your radar You have probably at least heard about The Fall of the House of Usher, the Netflix miniseries released in 2023 based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. But one thing you may not have heard is that Mark Hamill, best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, is also in the series.

The Usher Family

In case you were confused, The Fall of the House of Usher has no relation to the musician of the same name, but rather focuses on the fictional character of Roderick Usher, a CEO whose six children all die in a matter of weeks.

The show is about Usher recounting what befell his family to an attorney who has been investigating his company under allegations of corruption. Over the show’s eight episodes, you learn the story of this family that the public has come to know, and then the true, darker story that they all lived in private.

Mark Hamill And The Rest Of The Cast

The Fall of the House of Usher features a sprawling cast across its story that spans decades of family history. It includes the likes of Carla Gugino (Watchmen, Spy Kids), Bruce Greenwood (The Resident), and Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves) in some of the primary roles. Mark Hamill also has a prominent role in the series, playing the character of Arthur Gordon Pym, the Usher family attorney who helps them in covering up their misdeeds.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Famed Works

This is actually far from the first time that The Fall of the House of Usher has been adapted for the screen. The classic Edgar Allan Poe story has been the subject of six different movies over the years, with the earliest adaptation coming out in 1928 and the last being released in 2006. However, this Netflix version is the first time that the story has been turned into a miniseries, providing much more time to delve into the nuance of the characters.

What Critics Have To Say

Reception for this version of The Fall of the House of Usher has also been strong, with the miniseries currently sitting at a 90 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the horror elements of the show, calling it effectively creepy, tense, and occasionally even frightening with its imagery. All adjectives that would likely make Edgar Allan Poe proud, known as he was for his macabre, disturbing stories.

Stream The Fall Of The House Of Usher On Netflix

While Mark Hamill might be a hero in the Star Wars movies, he’s not totally out of his depth as a villainous character. Hamill is also known for having one of the most iconic interpretations of the Joker thanks to his famous vocal performance as the character throughout Batman: The Animated Series.

Looking at it in that light, Hamill fits right in with the rest of the creepy cast of The Fall of the House of Usher. If you are looking for a tightly told, unsettling horror story to sink your teeth into, the show is streaming now on Netflix.