Mike Flanagan’s Carrie Changed Why Tommy Ross Takes Carrie to Prom, and How He Dies

Joel Oulette, Alison Thornton, and Matthew Lillard at the Prime Video Carrie PROMiere event in New York City

In Mike Flanagan’s 2026 Prime Video Carrie miniseries, Joel Oulette’s Tommy Ross asks Carrie to prom because he wants her to have a good night. By then, he’s already shown concern over the viral footage of her being bullied and built a friendship with her. His invitation grows out of that bond.

Prime Video Hosts PROMiere In Celebration Of New Original Series “Carrie”
Joel Oulette, Mike Flanagan, Matthew Lillard, Amber Midthunder, and the rest of the Carrie miniseries cast gather in New York City on September 28, 2026 for Prime Video’s “PROMiere” event. Photo by Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images.

The series gives Tommy and Sue Snell a breakup, changing the setup familiar from the 1976 film. William Katt’s Tommy Ross is Sue’s boyfriend, and she pushes him to invite Carrie. He brings warmth to their night together, especially during their slow dance, but Sue sets the invitation in motion.

Prime Video Hosts PROMiere In Celebration Of New Original Series “Carrie”
Joel Oulette, Kate Siegel, Mike Flanagan, Matthew Lillard, and Arthur Conti gather in New York City on September 28, 2026, for Prime Video’s “Carrie” PROMiere event. Photo by Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images.

Oulette’s Tommy has more time to develop a protective friendship with Carrie. He wants to give her a chance to enjoy herself, and his interest in her is platonic. Flanagan has described earlier portrayals of Tommy as somewhat transactional; this version gives him more agency in how he treats her.

That change carries through to his death. In the 1976 film, the bucket used in Chris and Billy’s pig’s-blood prank falls onto Tommy’s head and kills him.

In the series, Carrie’s powers accidentally send debris from the catwalk into him as she goes after Chris and Billy during the prom disaster. The friend who chose to be there for her is killed by the destruction she unleashes. His last words are “The stars.”

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January Nelson is a writer, editor, and dreamer. She writes about astrology, games, love, relationships, and entertainment. Her favorite horror movies tend to be more on the artsy side.