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The Stand's Whoopi Goldberg Says Mother Abagail is Older Than We Thought


Anyone who has read Stephen King's The Stand probably imagines Mother Abagail as an ancient husk of a woman who serves as God's mouthpiece. However, CBS All Access' upcoming live-action series adaptation of the novel chose the much younger Whoopi Goldberg to play the elderly prophet. But make no mistake, because Goldberg claims that her character is even older than we initially thought in the book.

Goldberg recently spoke to Vanity Fair about her upcoming show and she pointed out that Mother Abagail might not be so truthful about being 108 years old. "Well, that's what she says," Goldberg said. "She's older, I think."

Of course, a woman can lie about her age sometimes but that's not the only thing that Goldberg shared about her character. She also suggested that Abagail is "flawed" because she doubts her purpose.

"She doesn't listen when God is talking to her. And she tends to go her own way because she's been like this her whole life," Goldberg said. "It takes her a little while to figure out that there's something bigger than her."

Without spoiling too much, Abagail does realize her importance and that's what pushes the story forward as the main players in The Stand prepare to meet the villainous Randall Flagg. Needless to say, we can't wait to see Goldberg's portrayal of the iconic character.

The Stand has not yet been given an official release date. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.

Related: First Look at Alexander Skarsgard as Randall Flagg in The Stand

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