Hulu has made a major decision regarding one of its highly anticipatedYA drama pilots, but theproject’s journey is far from over. The streamer has officially passed on theadaptation of a popular novel, though thestudio behind it remains confidentin its potential and is already exploring new homes.
Foster Dade pilot isn’t moving forward at Hulu
According to Deadline, Hulu has passed on its young adult drama pilot Foster Dade, from Greg Berlanti, Bash Doran, Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions. The streamer originally ordered the pilot based on Nash Jenkins’ debut novel Foster Dade Explores the Cosmos.
Notably, Foster Dade was one of three YA pilots Hulu had ordered over the past year. The streamer has been looking to expand its offerings in the genre after the breakout success of college drama Tell Me Lies. However, none of the three pilots moved forward at the platform.
Warner Bros. Television is now shopping the pilot to other platforms. Meanwhile, the studio remains high on the project, with the team likely hoping recent success of Heated Rivalry has increased streamer appetite for such programming. WBTV sibling HBO Max is the U.S. home of the hockey romance series.
The pilot follows recent Hulu passes on drama Buffy: New Sunnydale and comedy Don’t Get High. Notably, this marks the first Hulu pickup decision following the March restructuring that saw Debra OConnell add Hulu Originals to her purview as chairman of Disney Entertainment Television.
The pilot presents a sophisticated mystery set at an East Coast boarding school. It explores privilege, scandal, sexuality and masculinity amid the rise of social media, millennial anxiety and pharmaceuticals. Foster Dade pushes the envelope of edgy, sexual content.
The cast includes Jack Alldridge, Chloe East, Cameron Mann, Matt Bomer, Wyatt Aubrey, Olivia Campos-Tarantino and Vinny Chhibber. Berlanti and Doran wrote the pilot, with Daniel Minahan directing. However, Hulu did pick up YA comedy-mystery pilot Phony to series in 2025.
