Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Prime Day Deals Switch 2 Restock Walmart 4th of July Sale Galaxy Z Fold 7 Best Mattress Best laptops Wordle Today Recommended reading 'The Life of Chuck' star discusses screening film with director Mike Flanagan, his favorite performances from the Stephen King adaptation and more Netflix’s new crime thriller show should be your next binge-watch — and it’ll have you hooked from episode one Prime Video Prime Video’s latest No. 1 show is supernatural, unhinged, and stars Kevin Bacon — you need to binge-watch it now One of my favorite horror movies just landed on Netflix — and it’s already crashed the top 10 The most surreal noir thriller of the year just landed on Hulu — and it will stick with you for days Netflix's new crime thriller show just got its first trailer — and it looks like a must-watch for 'Slow Horses' fans 'Smoke' showrunner reveals why he dropped that major twist in Apple TV Plus' new true crime thriller Entertainment 'I've played a lot of untrustworthy and villainous characters': Ben Barnes on breaking his villain streak in 'The Institute' Alix Blackburn 6 July 2025 ‘I was looking for a character with a real sense of decency’ When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Chris Reardon / MGM+) Ben Barnes is no stranger to playing dark, enigmatic characters. From the troubled Logan in “Westworld” to the brooding Billy Russo in “The Punisher,” he's often found himself drawn to roles that lean into the morally ambiguous (or downright villainous). But in his latest project, “The Institute,” Barnes is stepping into somewhat unfamiliar territory. If you’re new to Stephen King’s stories, “The Institute” follows the chilling journey of a gifted young boy named Luke who’s kidnapped and taken to a secretive, high-security facility. There, he finds himself among other children who, like him, possess unusual psychic abilities, and none of them are there by choice. You may like 'The Life of Chuck' star discusses screening film with director Mike Flanagan, his favorite performances from the Stephen King adaptation and more Netflix’s new crime thriller show should be your next binge-watch — and it’ll have you hooked from episode one Prime Video’s latest No. 1 show is supernatural, unhinged, and stars Kevin Bacon — you need to binge-watch it now Blending elements of “Stranger Things” and “Firestarter,” the series taps into King’s signature themes of government control, manipulation, and the exploitation of young minds. It’s one you’ll want to catch when it lands on MGM Plus on July 13. The Institute (MGM+ 2025 Series) Official Trailer - YouTube Barnes plays Tim Jamieson, an ex-cop turned small-town night-patrol officer hoping for a fresh start. He becomes the town’s moral anchor, using his law enforcement skills and compassion to help Luke (Joe Freeman). A natural protector and leader, Tim is the kind of character King envisions as a hero. I had the chance to sit down with Barnes to talk about his role in the upcoming adaptation, and why it marks a significant shift from the darker characters he’s known for. 'He's an interesting character I haven't played before' During the interview, I asked Barnes what it was like playing Tim, who is a more internal character, and one quite different from the roles he’s taken on in the past. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. “I was looking for a character with a real sense of decency or a moral compass, and Tim has this quiet, redemptive arc,” Barnes said. “I’ve played a lot of untrustworthy, psychotic, or villainous characters over the last few years, so it was refreshing to find someone who genuinely wants to be a good man. I think he’s searching for ways to prove himself, and that made him a really interesting character — one I haven’t played before.” (Image credit: Chris Reardon / MGM+) After portraying morally complex figures like Billy Russo in “The Punisher,” Logan in “Westworld,” General Kirigan in “Shadow and Bone,” and even the manipulative Nathan in “Dorian Gray,” Barnes is no stranger to playing characters with a dark edge. But Tim is a different story entirely. He’s a gentler, more introspective man who carries quiet guilt and strives to do the right thing. “It’s not necessarily a flashy role in an acting sense, but I was really interested in exploring that kind of man. I think a lot of Stephen King’s stories are infused with hope — they’re about challenging systems that often go unchallenged, and that, at times, exploit the vulnerable. This story, I think, is quite literally about that.” Barnes is also a huge fan of sci-fi and fantasy, which naturally drew him to “The Institute.” He added: “I just love sci-fi, fantasy, and all that genre stuff, so this was an opportunity to do something quite grounded and quiet.” For an actor often cast in shadowy or morally complex roles, Barnes portrayal of Tim in “The Institute” marks a meaningful departure. Instead of chaos or menace, this character is about calm control and quiet strength, all qualities that reveal a different dimension of his craft. “The Institute” premieres with two episodes on July 13, 9pm ET/PT on MGM Plus. More from Tom's Guide The 12 best Stephen King movies Amazon is shutting down Freevee app this summer 13 new shows and movies to watch in July 2025 Streaming device deals not to miss Roku Streaming Stick 4K (2021) $44.48View See all prices Google Chromecast with Google TV $89.95View See all prices Apple TV 4K (2022) $135.49View See all prices Roku Express 4K+ (2021) $34.95View See all prices Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2023 $34.99View See all prices Deal ends Sat, Jul 12, 2025 We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Alix Blackburn Social Links Navigation Senior Streaming Writer (UK) Alix is a Senior Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. It’s a dream job for someone who’s been obsessed with storytelling since she first figured out how to work a remote. Before joining Tom’s Guide, Alix honed her skills as a staff writer with outlets like Screen Rant and Bough Digital, where she discovered her love for the entertainment industry. She heads to the cinema every week as a tradition, no matter what’s showing. For her, movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re a ritual, a comfort, and a constant source of inspiration. When she’s not at her desk or at the cinema, you’ll probably find her deep into a horror video game on her PC. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 'The Life of Chuck' star discusses screening film with director Mike Flanagan, his favorite performances from the Stephen King adaptation and more Netflix’s new crime thriller show should be your next binge-watch — and it’ll have you hooked from episode one Prime Video’s latest No. 1 show is supernatural, unhinged, and stars Kevin Bacon — you need to binge-watch it now One of my favorite horror movies just landed on Netflix — and it’s already crashed the top 10 The most surreal noir thriller of the year just landed on Hulu — and it will stick with you for days Netflix's new crime thriller show just got its first trailer — and it looks like a must-watch for 'Slow Horses' fans Latest in Streaming 'Mr. Robot' is now on Netflix — and this flawless techno-thriller has only gotten better with time How to watch 'Oasis Reunion' online for free — live stream the build up to Cardiff, can I watch it in the U.S.? It's not 'Squid Game,' but this Netflix thriller movie with a familiar face might hit the same nerve — watch the new trailer now 5 new to Netflix movies with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes Prime Video top 10 shows — here’s the 3 worth watching now Amazing Paramount Plus deal is just 99 cents/month — here's what I'd watch Latest in Features 9 low-maintenance yard plants that are impossible to kill Is upgrading your NordVPN plan worth it? GPT-5 could be here this month — here’s five features we’re hoping to see Experts recommend the ‘wind tunnel method’ to keep your house cool in a heatwave — and it won’t cost you a dime This $12.99/month hack gives you access to Google’s Veo 3 AI video tool — here’s how Pest experts warn you should never squash spiders in your home — here’s why LATEST ARTICLES Netflix just got an intense psychological thriller movie starring Cillian Murphy — and it’s packed with claustrophobic tension 'Mr. Robot' is now on Netflix — and this flawless techno-thriller has only gotten better with time This golf sale beats Prime Day — take an extra 25% off clearance apparel at PGA TOUR Superstore 31 best early Prime Day deals under $25 now — Apple, Yeti, Skechers and more Best early Prime Day tablet deals: 11 huge iPad and Android sales I've seen so far Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Terms and conditions Contact Future's experts Privacy policy Cookies policy Accessibility Statement Advertise with us Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Please login or signup to comment Please wait...