Full Breakdown
Meaghan Oppenheimer to Write and Exec Produce New Hulu Drama ‘Bastards’
4/28/2026, 5:08:04 AM
Series Announcement and Core Premise
Variety reports that screenwriter Meaghan Oppenheimer is developing a new drama series titled “Bastards” for Hulu. Oppenheimer will serve as both writer and executive producer, with 20th Television providing studio support under her existing overall deal. The series follows a world-famous artist who becomes embroiled in a public scandal, prompting her three adult children—each from a different father—to return to their childhood home and care for a teenage sister they scarcely know. As they reunite, longstanding family dynamics re-emerge and hidden secrets are revealed, forcing the siblings to confront an inheritance of love, cruelty and chaos.
Development Timeline and Production Partners
According to a source familiar with the project, Oppenheimer delivered the “Bastards” script shortly after the conclusion of her previous Hulu series, “Tell Me Lies.” Hulu and 20th Television responded with enthusiasm and have moved the project into a fast-track development phase. The series is being produced under Oppenheimer’s overall agreement with 20th Television, which positions the studio as the primary production partner while Hulu will serve as the distribution platform.
Background: Success of “Tell Me Lies” and Oppenheimer’s Recent Work
“Tell Me Lies,” based on Carola Lovering’s novel, concluded its third and final season on Hulu earlier this year. The series, starring Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, chronicles an eight-year relationship between two college students. Disney reports that all three seasons have accumulated more than 350 million streaming hours across Hulu and Disney+ since the show’s 2022 launch. Oppenheimer’s recent credits also include writing for AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead,” creating the Facebook Watch series “Queen America” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Judith Light, and penning the ABC pilot “Broken,” which featured Anna Paquin and Blair Underwood and was executive-produced by Bruna Papandrea and Reese Witherspoon. In film, she wrote the drama “We Are Your Friends,” starring Zac Efron and Emily Ratajkowski.
Key Personnel and Representation
Meaghan Oppenheimer is represented by Creative Artists Agency, Untitled Entertainment, and Yorn Levine Barnes. The development of “Bastards” involves collaboration between Hulu, 20th Television, and Oppenheimer’s representation teams, ensuring alignment of creative and commercial interests.
Viewership Data for Oppenheimer’s Prior Series
Disney’s internal metrics indicate that “Tell Me Lies” has generated over 350 million streaming hours across Hulu and Disney+ platforms, reflecting strong audience engagement for Oppenheimer’s recent work.
Official Statements from Hulu and 20th Television
A Hulu spokesperson confirmed that the network and 20th Television are fast-tracking “Bastards” after the script was delivered, describing the response as enthusiastic. The statement emphasized the partnership’s confidence in Oppenheimer’s ability to deliver compelling drama.
What’s Next for “Bastards”
The series remains in early development, with the script under review and production planning underway. No official production schedule or casting announcements have been released, and further updates are expected as the project progresses through Hulu’s development pipeline.
