The Trouble with Tessa
2025 | TV Series | Horror
After Tessa Fowler’s skyrocketing career implodes overnight, the disgraced documentarian escapes to a small, idyllic mountain town called Lowery. It seems like the perfect place to hide: Lowery doesn’t allow cellphones, doesn’t have internet, and no one knows about Tessa’s past.
Tessa’s determination to leave their investigative days behind them disappears, however, when they find a mysterious box of recordings in their rental home’s dingy basement. At first, the recordings seem to be nothing more than security footage. However, when Tessa plays a tape that appears to catch a murder in progress, they can’t help but start digging into this seemingly perfect town’s disturbing past.
Director
Dennis Cahlo
CAST
Katrin Nugent as Tessa Fowler / Casey Hartnett as Amelia Stokes / Maria Wolf as Betsy / Alexander Platt as Freddy Crane / Dennis Cahlo as Aaron / John R. Smith, Jnr. as Robert / Cory DeAn Cowley as Trouble / Tina Ann Brock as Sue-Ann the Librarian / Cordell Ijoma as Dave the Bartender / Taso Mikroulis as Simon the Realtor
The Trouble with Tessa Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Trouble with Tessa about?
Trouble with Tessa follows disgraced documentarian Tessa Fowler as she relocates to the quiet town of Lowery. When Tessa finds a box of mysterious videotapes—one appearing to show a murder—they are pulled into a chilling investigation of the town’s buried secrets.
Where can I watch Trouble with Tessa?
The series will premiere exclusively on Screambox, the horror streaming platform known for creator-driven content.
Who plays Tessa Fowler?
Katrin Nugent (they/them) stars as Tessa Fowler in their debut lead role. Their performance is widely praised for its depth and screen presence.
Is Trouble with Tessa a found footage series?
While not strictly found footage, the series incorporates videotape recordings as part of its mystery and narrative style, creating an immersive and unsettling atmosphere.
Is the story based on true events?
No. However, the setting and eerie tone are inspired by co-creators Dennis Cahlo and Bethany Watson’s move to New York’s Hudson Valley, a region with strange landscapes, poor cell service, and a mysterious vibe.
Who directed Trouble with Tessa?
The series was directed by Dennis Cahlo and Bethany Watson, a real-life filmmaking couple who also co-wrote and produced the show.
What’s the meaning of the tagline “You’ll get fed”?
It hints at both the literal and psychological consumption happening in the town of Lowery—and may take on deeper meaning as the mystery unfolds.
Was the series made on a big budget?
No. The show was produced on a shoestring budget, with much of it filmed in the creators’ rental home and involving a very small cast and crew.
What makes Trouble with Tessa different from other horror series?
It blends psychological horror with eerie small-town mystery, showcases a singular performance by its lead, and emphasizes mood, sound, and atmosphere over jump scares—evoking classics like Halloween III and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
