Ridley Scott's Horror Anthology The Terror Returns with Highest Critical Rating Yet

The Terror, an anthology horror series executive-produced by Ridley Scott, has returned with its third season Devil in Silver, earning a 95 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating—the highest score in the franchise's history. The eight-decade-old filmmaker continues to expand his television portfolio alongside multiple film projects in active development.

The Series and Its Evolution

The Terror premiered on AMC in March 2018 as a historical horror drama, with each season telling a distinct story rooted in documented historical events. The first season, developed by David Kajganich, drew inspiration from Dan Simmons's 2007 novel and followed two Royal Navy polar exploration vessels—HMS Erebus and HMS Terror—trapped in Arctic ice during the 1840s. Crews aboard both ships faced not only the brutal Canadian Arctic environment but also a supernatural creature from indigenous lore known as the Tuunbaq.

Season 2, retitled The Terror: Infamy and released in 2019, shifted focus to a haunted Japanese internment camp on the United States West Coast. Created by Alexander Woo and Max Borenstein, this installment explored Bakemono folklore and Japanese shapeshifter mythology. While Season 1 achieved a 94 percent critical score, Season 2 saw a decline to 80 percent approval.

Season 3's Return and Critical Reception

After a seven-year absence, The Terror returned to AMC+ and Shudder with Season 3, titled Devil in Silver, which premiered on May 7, 2026. Created by Victor LaValle and adapted from his 2012 novel of the same name, the season follows Pepper Coffin, a furniture mover played by Dan Stevens, who is unnecessarily committed to New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital. Unlike previous seasons, which ran 10 episodes each, Devil in Silver condensed its narrative into 6 episodes.

The critical response marked a significant vindication for the series. Devil in Silver achieved a 95 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing both earlier seasons and positioning the anthology as a landmark achievement in television horror. Scott's executive production credits on The Terror complement his broader portfolio, which includes the science-fiction series Raised by Wolves, The Hot Zone, and the ongoing Alien: Earth—continuing the mythology he established with his 1979 film Alien.

Scott's Expanding Production Slate

At 88, Scott demonstrates sustained creative momentum across film and television. Beyond The Terror, his executive production slate encompasses over 20 credits. In film, he has directed trailers for forthcoming projects including The Dog Stars, featuring Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley in a science-fiction thriller, and The Color of Lightning, a western drama. These projects underscore Scott's continued dominance as both a director and production architect across multiple genres.