Full Breakdown
HBO Announces 'Dorothea' Starring Geena Davis
7/8/2026, 1:08:24 AM
Series Development
HBO has commissioned a drama series titled Dorothea, focusing on the life of serial killer Dorothea Puente. Oscar-winner Geena Davis will star as Puente and serve as an executive producer. The series is written and run by Joshua Michael Stern, with co-writers Michael Rosenbaum and Jane Whitney. Executive producers also include Rosenbaum, former Sony Pictures Television president Jeff Frost, and Davis.
Background
Puente operated a Sacramento boarding house for low-income residents from 1982 to 1988. She poisoned and buried several tenants, then collected their Social Security benefits. Media outlets gave her nicknames that highlighted her murderous reputation, and she was described as the state’s most notorious female serial killer.
Key Figures
- Geena Davis – lead actress, executive producer; noted for *Beetlejuice* and the Geena Davis Institute.
- Joshua Michael Stern – showrunner, writer, executive producer; credits include *Jobs* and *Graves*.
- Michael Rosenbaum – co-writer, executive producer; famed for playing Lex Luthor in *Smallville*.
- Jane Whitney – co-executive producer, co-writer.
- Jeff Frost – executive producer; former Sony Pictures Television president and founder of Bristol Circle Entertainment.
Timeline
Puente opened the boarding house in 1982, was arrested on nine murder charges in 1988, convicted of three murders and sentenced to life in 1993, died in custody in 2011, and HBO announced the series in 2026.
Data
Puente faced nine murder counts; a deadlocked jury on six counts resulted in three convictions. Victims were primarily boarders whose Social Security checks she collected. She received a life sentence in 1993 and remained incarcerated until her death at age 82.
Impact
The series is a true-crime drama that revisits a historic criminal case. Davis’s participation aligns with her advocacy for improving representation of women in media, as demonstrated by her Geena Davis Institute and the Bentonville Film Festival.
Official Statements
HBO described *Dorothea* as a “true-crime drama” that will examine how Puente’s seemingly benevolent actions belied her sinister motives. Davis confirmed her dual role as star and executive producer, noting the project is her first series-lead role since *Commander In Chief*. Bristol Circle Entertainment and Innovative Artists affirmed their collaboration on the production.
Quotes
- “California’s most notorious female serial killer.” — description of Dorothea Puente.
- “Killer Landlady.” — nickname attributed to Puente.
- “a Sacramento woman who ran a boarding house for the less fortunate in the 1980s, but her seemingly benevolent actions belied her sinister motives,” — HBO series logline.
- “She was eventually charged with murdering nine people, including several of her tenants.” — series description.
Future
The series is currently in development, with HBO yet to announce a premiere date.
