Maniac is Netflix's mind-bending new series starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill - and it looks like it's going to take us on a wonderfully weird odyssey.

The trippy black comedy follows two strangers - played by Stone and Jonah Hill - as they find themselves caught up in a pharmaceutical trial gone horribly awry.

Jonah Hill , Emma Stone pinterest
Netflix


The 10-part series is based on the 2014 satirical Norwegian show of the same title, about 'an institutionalised man who lives a fantasy life in his dreams', according to Netflix.

As of yet, there is still no official premiere date, so while we wait, here's everything you need to know about the hugely-anticipated series, and Stone and Hill's long-awaited Superbad reunion.

Who's in it?

Maniac marks Emma Stone's first TV series regular role since she's achieved Hollywood superstardom, as well as for Jonah Hill.

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Oscar-winning actress Sally Field has a recurring role in the series, and it's being speculated that she could be playing the show's villain (Vulture). Or Jonah's mum (Deadline). Or maybe both.

The Brothers and Sisters star certainly looks devastatingly evil dressed head-to-toe in scarlet in the recently released stills.

Sally Field pinterest
Netflix
Sally Field in Maniac

Justin Theroux also co-stars, and his character is a complete mystery too.

Justin Theroux, Maniacpinterest
Netflix
Justin Theroux in Maniac

Judging from the show's images, in which he appears to be wearing a white lab coat, he could be the person in charge of leading the trial. IMBD says his character is called James Mantleray.

Girls star Jemima Kirke has a recurring role too. Sonoya Mizuno - who played robot Kyoko in Alex Garland's Ex-Machina, also guest stars.

Cary Fukunaga - best known for directing the first season of True Detective and Idris Elba's brutal Beast of No Nation - will be taking the helm for all ten episodes.

He serves as executive producer of Dakota Fanning's Alienist - Netflix's period drama which begins today (April 19).

It's been created by Patrick Somerville, who co-wrote Theroux's underrated HBO series The Leftovers.

What is it?

The original series centred on a mental patient at a psychiatric ward who escapes reality and lives in a fantasy world in his mind.

Maniac pinterest
Netflix

Plot details for Maniac are being kept secret for now, but Netflix says it's 'the story of two strangers who find themselves caught up in a mind-bending pharmaceutical trial gone awry', and we know it will be a dark comedy.

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Naomi Gordon

Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.