'Panic' Trailer: Amazon's New YA Drama Features Teens Playing Deadly Games To Escape The Trap Of Their Small Town

What will a person do to change their life? It’s a fascinating thought at the center of Lauren Oliver’s “Panic.” The Amazon adaptation of her bestselling novel covers events surrounding an increasingly dangerous quest for renewal. In the process, those involved face the grim realities of poverty, injustice, and all too common fallacies that go hand in hand with small-town idyll.

Oliver—who also acts as executive producer and writer—assembles a roster of rising young talent for “Panic.” The cast features Olivia Welch, Mike Faist, Jessica Sula, Camron Jones, and Ray Nicholson. Enrique Murciano also appears as town sheriff James ‘Jimmy’ Cortez. Many viewers will know the actor from his work on series such as “Without A Trace” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” The project features an extensive set of industry vets behind the camera. “Panic” is executive produced by Joe Roth along with Jeff Kirschenbaum and Adam Schroeder. Lynley Bird, as well as Alyssa Altman, act as co-executive producers.

The series’ official synopsis:

“Panic” is a new Amazon Prime Video one-hour drama series, written and created by Lauren Oliver (based on her bestselling novel). It takes place in a small Texas town, where every summer, the graduating seniors compete in a series of challenges; the winner takes all, which they believe is their one and only chance to escape their circumstances and make their lives better. But this year, the rules have changed — the pot of money is larger than ever, and the game has become even more dangerous. The players will come face to face with their deepest, darkest fears and be forced to decide how much they are willing to risk in order to win.”

Directors on “Panic” include Ry Russo-Young — who definitely knows. a lot about YA projects — Jamie Travis, Viet Nguyen, Megan Griffiths, and Gandja Monteiro. The struggle to survive highlights Amazon Studios’ new series “Panic.” All 10 episodes arrive on Amazon Prime Video on May 28. Get your first look at the YA-based project in the new trailer.