Hulu Develops Scott Turow’s “Suspect” as New Private-Investigator Drama

Hulu is developing a drama series adaptation of Scott Turow’s 2022 novel “Suspect.” The series will be written by Marissa Jo Cerar, who also serves as executive producer alongside Bruce Miller, Matt Shakman, Turow, and MGM. Matt Shakman is attached to direct and executive produce; 20th Television is the studio. The premise follows private investigator Pinky as she seeks evidence to exonerate a female police chief accused of extorting sex from male officers for promotions.

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The project joins a wave of new PI shows on streaming platforms, including NBC’s “The Rockford Files,” Netflix’s “The Man On the Inside,” ABC’s “R.J. Decker,” and Hulu’s upcoming adaptation of “The Kid Detective.” Cerar and Miller previously collaborated on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” with Miller serving as creator and showrunner of its sequel “The Testaments.” Shakman’s recent work includes directing “WandaVision,” “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” and the Apple TV series “Wild Things.”

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• Marissa Jo Cerar – Writer, executive producer; former supervising producer on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” creator of ABC’s “Women of the Movement” and Hulu’s “Black Cake.”

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• Bruce Miller – Executive producer; creator and showrunner of “The Testaments,” which amassed 45 million streaming hours globally; previously created “ER,” “Eureka,” and “Alphas.”

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• Matt Shakman – Director and executive producer; three-time Emmy nominee for “The Great” and “WandaVision,” slated to direct a new “Planet of the Apes” film.

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• Scott Turow – Author of the source novel; announced the optioning of the book last fall.

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Hulu commissions the series with 20th Television as the production studio. MGM joins as an executive producer alongside Turow. White Oak Pictures, represented by Priscilla Porianda, also participates in executive production.

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“The Testaments” recorded 45 million streaming hours worldwide and secured a Season 2 renewal shortly after launch. “The Handmaid’s Tale” earned 77 Emmy nominations, winning 15, including best drama series and best writing for a drama series (Miller).

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Hulu’s development announcement confirms the adaptation and outlines the series’ premise, emphasizing its addition to the network’s expanding portfolio of private-investigator dramas.

Hulu Developing Series Adaptation of Private Investigator Novel "Suspect"

• “I’m excited to see what the hyper-talented Matt Shakman, director of Fabulous Four: First Steps, and his great team at Foolscap Productions, who have optioned Suspect for a streaming series, come up with,” — Scott Turow, author

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• “oddball private investigator.” — Scott Turow, author

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The series reinforces Hulu’s strategy to diversify its original-content slate with genre-specific offerings, adding to the growing slate of private-investigator dramas on streaming platforms. The involvement of creators who have earned multiple Emmy nominations and wins reflects Hulu’s continued investment in award-winning talent.

Hulu Developing Series Adaptation of Private Investigator Novel "Suspect"

All sources consistently describe the development status, creative team, and premise; no contradictory information was identified.

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Production is underway with Shakman slated to direct; no release date has been announced.

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