1976 Vs. 2026: Pics Of The Carrie Casts, Compared

Horror enthusiasts everywhere rejoice: The 2026 television adaptation of Stephen King's 1974 novel "Carrie" has arrived. Four decades ago, the film rendition of the same novel first hit theaters, terrifying audiences with the revenge story of a bullied teenager. The story is just as relevant today as it was in 1976 — high-school bullying has never stopped being a problem, but the type of harassment has evolved with the growth of social media. This is the purpose of the 2026 retelling; set in modern day, the new series tells King's original story in a new way. For such an intimidating undertaking, the cast had to be incredibly talented — and it is. While the 1976 film starred talented actors of the decade like Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, the 2026 series features lesser-known (but just as gifted) performers like Summer H. Howell and Siena Agudong. 

Across both adaptations of the classic novel, each cast member brings something unique to the table. While some of your favorite '70s fashion trends are having a resurgence, the styling of the 2026 series largely stays away from the vintage vibes. When comparing the respective casts, it becomes clear that both adaptations were modern for their time periods. No matter how the iconic characters' looks have changed over the decades with new trends, King's storytelling is evergreen. If you're wondering how the "Carrie" retelling's cast differs from the original, we've got you covered. 

Sissy Spacek's performance as Carrie White in the 1976 film "Carrie" has been celebrated for decades. Ranked among the most iconic figures in horror, Carrie terrified audiences in large part thanks to Spacek's layered portrayal. As Carrie, Spacek's recognizable blond hair was kept long and straight; it largely hid her face until the infamous prom sequence, which reflected the shy, browbeaten character perfectly. While super long strands are among the '70s hairstyles that you can make work in 2026, you may want to take inspiration from Carrie's subtly glamorous prom look rather than her character's standard style. 

For the 2026 Amazon adaptation, the character of Carrie is portrayed by young horror veteran Summer H. Howell. Given that she's appeared in horror and thriller media since the age of 8, Howell is more experienced in the genres than many older actors. Like Spacek's Carrie, Howell wears her blond hair hanging down throughout much of the series. However, her cooler-toned, ashy blond waves contrast with Spacek's 1970s look quite starkly. To fit the character's strictly religious background, both Spacek and Howell were styled very conservatively in their respective portrayals of Carrie. 

Sue Snell is one of the most sympathetic characters in "Carrie." One of Carrie White's former bullies, Sue sets out to make amends for her past actions by asking her boyfriend to take Carrie to prom as a kind gesture (which indirectly is what causes the massacre at the end of the film). Portrayed by Amy Irving in the 1976 film adaptation, Snell had dark brown curly hair and a cherubic face, contributing to her sympathetic vibe. Irving's middle-part hairstyle in the film, like Sissy Spacek's, screamed 1970s. 

The actor portraying Sue in the 2026 series is also styled for the decade the adaptation takes place in. Siena Agudong stars in the new series as Sue, and looks every bit the modern teen. Like Irving, Agudong has dark brown hair, though she styles it in other ways than loose curls (like the twin braids she wore in the above scene). Looking at Irving and Agudong is a great way to see just how significantly youth culture and style have changed over the past five decades.

As far as bully characters go, Chris Hargensen was met with far harsher consequences than most. Portrayed by Nancy Allen in the 1976 film, Chris sets in motion the events of the story — including the prom massacre. After being reprimanded and banned from prom herself for bullying Carrie White, Chris and her boyfriend orchestrate a cruel prank that soaks Carrie in pig's blood. 

Allen brought the venomous teen to life on screen; with her voluminous blond curls and then-modern fashion, she was every bit the popular '70s bully. While big hair is considered one of the most iconic '80s hairstyles, it was an emerging trend in the late 1970s — as Allen's style shows. Alison Thornton has taken over the role of Chris in the 2026 adaptation. She's still blond and vindictive, but wears her hair in loose beachy waves instead of bold retro curls. Chris' look may have changed over the decades, but the heart of her antagonistic character remains largely the same.

As one of the most terrifying mothers in film and television, Margaret White is still scaring audiences today. As Carrie's devoutly religious, abusive mother, Margaret served as one of the antagonistic forces in the original 1976 film adaptation. It is incredibly difficult to portray such an evil character, but Piper Laurie did so flawlessly. As Margaret, Laurie conveyed a power and fear that still haunts us. Per the decade's most popular look, Laurie wore her light brown hair in long, loose waves that cascaded down her shoulders. By contrast, her 2026 counterpart is styled in a more prim manner. 

Samantha Sloyan is bringing the all-too-real horror of Margaret White to modern audiences. As Margaret, Sloyan wears her brown hair in a slicked back, very blunt bob. The severe style reflects Margaret's harsh, strict nature; Laurie's comparatively dressed-down appearance, by contrast, illustrates her reclusive and solitary habits. Both portrayals of the character are engaging in their own way, but we are excited to see Sloyan's spin on Margaret.