‘Carrie’: Why Does Mike Flanagan’s New Series Call Carrie White ‘Carietta’?

CARRIE, Sissy Spacek, William Katt, 1976 — Everett Collection

In Mike Flanagan‘s new Carrie series on Prime Video, fans of the original film might be shocked when Margaret (Samantha Sloyan) calls her daughter Carietta (Summer H. Howell), which may sound a little strange if you’ve always known her as Carrie White. But the name comes straight from Stephen King‘s original novel.

Of course, the name Carrie White is most famously associated with Sissy Spacek, who played the teenager in Brian De Palma‘s 1976 film, with Piper Laurie as Margaret. That movie turns 50 this year.

But the name Carietta goes back even further. King published his novel on April 5, 1974, just two years before the film adaptation, and readers encounter Carietta’s full name in the opening passage. At that point in the story, she’s only three years old, before the book jumps ahead to the infamous high school locker room scene.

Where does Carietta appear in the book?

Everett Collection

In an excerpt on Penguin Random House, the book describes stones falling from a clear sky onto Margaret White’s home in Chamberlain, Maine. “Mrs. White, a widow, lives with her three-year-old daughter, Carietta,” King writes.

The excerpt also includes a passage attributed to a fictional study about Carrie’s powers, which uses the name Carietta White. King’s official website lists the character as “White, Carietta (Carrie).”

His website also says Carrie was based on two girls he knew in high school, but he never really explained why her full name is Carietta. Some believe the formal name reflects her strict mother and Carrie’s upbringing.

Is ‘Carietta’ a real name?

Yes, and there is a historical example from long before King’s book. LAGenWeb’s transcription of St. Landry Parish marriage records lists Carietta Grimm marrying William Clark in Louisiana on January 4, 1877, 97 years before Carrie was published.

Interestingly enough, Carietta was also the registered name of a notable Oldenburg sporthorse born in 1962. The name has English and Old German origins and shares roots with Karl/Charles, with the literal meaning being “free woman.”

What is the new Carrie series about?

Samantha Sloyan, Summer H. Howell - 'Carrie'

Liane Hentscher/Prime

According to Amazon’s description, Carrie spent her life at home with Margaret before her father’s sudden death sent her to public high school. She faces a bullying scandal that spreads online as her telekinetic powers begin to appear.

Amazon said Howell was chosen from more than 1,000 actors who read for the role. The series also brings in Scream actor Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle. Amber Midthunder, who starred in Prey, plays Miss Desjardin. Siena Agudong is Sue Snell, and Joel Oulette plays Tommy Ross.

Flanagan, whose other shows include Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House, wrote and executive-produced. He also directed four episodes, and King is an executive producer. All eight episodes of Carrie are now streaming on Prime Video.