Story perspectives

Hulu Orders Ellen Pompeo Crime Dramedy Pilot “Chicks”

6/5/2026

Summary

Pompeo Pilot Ordered

Hulu ordered a pilot for the dramedy ‘Chicks’ starring Ellen Pompeo.
Pompeo will play Chickie, a half-sister who inherits her father’s small-time crime legacy.
Creator Katie Robbins set the series in Boston’s rapidly gentrifying old neighborhoods.
Pompeo, Robbins and Laura Holstein will executive-produce the pilot through Calamity Jane and 20th Television.
Production is slated to begin in New York City in September 2026.

Summary

Grey’s Anatomy Cuts

Grey’s Anatomy has cut veteran cast guarantees to 14 of 18 episodes per season due to cost-cutting.
Kim Raver and Kevin McKidd have left, underscoring accelerating turnover.
ABC will debut a Texas-set Grey’s Anatomy spinoff in mid-season 2027, co-created by Shonda Rhimes and Meg Marinis.
Ellen Pompeo will executive-produce the spinoff while continuing to narrate Grey’s Anatomy.
Fans warn that her reduced episode guarantee could limit on-screen appearances in season 23.

History

Historical Context

When ABC aired the two-hour backdoor pilot for Private Practice on May 3 2007, it drew about 21 million viewers, prompting the spin-off’s September 26 2007 launch and six-season run that ended January 22 2013. That success showed how Shonda Rhimes’ Grey’s Anatomy franchise could generate strong audiences, a pattern ABC now follows with a Texas-set spinoff and Hulu’s Ellen Pompeo dramedy pilot.

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Pompeo Pilot Ordered

Hulu ordered a pilot for the dramedy ‘Chicks’ starring Ellen Pompeo.
Pompeo will play Chickie, a half-sister who inherits her father’s small-time crime legacy.
Creator Katie Robbins set the series in Boston’s rapidly gentrifying old neighborhoods.
Pompeo, Robbins and Laura Holstein will executive-produce the pilot through Calamity Jane and 20th Television.
Production is slated to begin in New York City in September 2026.

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