Transgender Star Jamie Clayton is Starring as Pinhead in Hulu’s “Hellraiser” Reboot

Jamie Clayton, star of The L Word: Generation Q, will play the Cenobite priest Pinhead in an upcoming “Hellraiser” reboot.

Credit: Hollywood Reporter

Hulu’s Hellraiser has recently wrapped production. Odessa A’zion (Fam, Grand Army) stars alongside Clayton in the remake, with a release set for sometime in 2022.

Jamie Clayton has been cast as the film’s iconic antagonist, Pinhead. She is both the first woman and the first transgender person to play the role.

Fans of the franchise are responding with mixed reviews regarding the decision to switch the gender of the iconic character.

“Demons To Some, Angels to Others”

Credit: CBR

In 1897, Clive Barker adapted his novella, The Hellbound Heart, into feature film, Hellraiser. The story centres around a puzzle box that creates a portal to a nightmarish planet. There, mutilated beings are led by a prickly-headed man dubbed Pinhead, ruled by extra-dimensional, demonic beings called Cenobites.

Pinhead, a World War I veteran, is haunted by PTSD-style trauma and survivor’s guilt. After engaging in hedonism and self-destruction, Pinhead discovers the Lament Configuration; thus summoning the Cenobites – to eventually become their leader.

Pinhead’s unique appearance has been fundamental to the success of the horror franchise – spawning multiple sequels, comics and a merchandise empire.

Clayton recently took to Twitter to celebrate the surprise announcement, with the simple caption, “Demons to some. Angels to others.”

The production also stars Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why), Goran Visnjic (The Boys), Drew Starkey (Outer Banks), Adam Faison (Everything’s Gonna Be Okay), Aoife Hinds (Normal People), Hiam Abbass (Succession) and Selina Lo (Boss Level).

The “Hellraiser” Legacy

Doug Bradley portrays Pinhead in eight of the ten prior “Hellraiser” films. Stephan Smith Collins, Paul T. Taylor, and Fred Tatasciore are amongst other actors who have played the role.

The controversial move to switch Pinhead’s gender is eliciting varying reactions from fans of the franchise. Some express concern that Clayton won’t live up to Bradley’s memorable performance. Others believe that Clayton should play a different Cenobite entirely.

Whilst some fans are dissatisfied with the casting, others believe that a fresh take on the legendary character is an exciting step forwards. A feminine Pinhead is more accurate to Barker’s novella The Hellbound Heart. Clayton’s casting, according to some fans, is more true to the original text.

Pinhead’s character in the original novella is of uncertain gender and has a feminine, lyrical voice.

A Cult Classic

Credit: Bloody Disgusting

Clive Barker has joined the project as a producer with a writing credit. Per CBR,

“It has been such an honor to have Clive onboard to help support and shepard us through the incredible universe he created so long ago,”

Bruckner said. He goes on to praise Clayton in the role, stating,

“Combined with a fearless and and committed cast, including the amazing Jamie Clayton, who fully embodies the role as Hell Priest, we’re aiming to create a very special new chapter in the Hellraiser legacy.”

The first 1987 Hellraiser picture, quickly became a cult classic. Principle photography for the project is complete and the fearer debuts on Hulu in 2022.

As of yet, there is no official release date.

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