Elisabeth Moss is returning to Hulu with a new legal drama, Conviction, marking her latest collaboration with the streaming platform following the conclusion of the critically acclaimed series, The Handmaid’s Tale. The series, based on the 2023 novel of the same name by Jack Jordan, has received a series order from Hulu and 20th Television.
Moss, known for her compelling performances in The Handmaid’s Tale, Mad Men and more recently, Shell, will portray Neve Harper, a confident and ambitious criminal defense attorney. Harper finds herself on the cusp of a career-defining case – defending a husband accused of murdering his wife in a fire. However, the case takes a dangerous turn when a mysterious stranger begins blackmailing Harper, forcing her to compromise her legal, moral, and ethical boundaries to secure an acquittal and protect her own deeply held secrets.
The series is being spearheaded by David Shore, the creator of the long-running medical dramas House and The Good Doctor. Shore not only wrote the initial pilot script but, demonstrating his commitment to the project, also penned a full second script after Hulu requested additional material. This proactive approach reportedly expedited the series order, signaling the network’s confidence in Shore’s vision and the project’s potential.
Conviction isn’t a standalone venture for Jordan. 20th Television has secured a development deal with the author, encompassing adaptations of his 2024 novel, Redemption, and his upcoming 2026 release, Deception. This multi-project agreement underscores the studio’s belief in Jordan’s storytelling capabilities and the commercial viability of his work.
The project is a reunion for Moss and 20th Television, and also brings Warren Littlefield, an executive producer on The Handmaid’s Tale, back into the fold. Bert Salke also joins as an executive producer, having been instrumental in acquiring and developing the novel alongside Littlefield and overseeing Jordan’s overall deal.
The speed with which Conviction moved from development to a series order is noteworthy. According to sources, Hulu quickly requested a second script outline after receiving Shore’s initial pilot. Shore’s decision to deliver a fully written second script instead of an outline clearly impressed the network, leading to a swift greenlight.
Production is slated to begin in June in New York, suggesting a late 2026 or early 2027 premiere window, though Hulu has not yet announced a specific release date. Casting beyond Moss has not been revealed at this time.
The announcement of Conviction comes shortly after the conclusion of The Handmaid’s Tale, which ran for six seasons on Hulu, concluding in April 2025. Moss’s return to the platform with a dramatically different role – shifting from the dystopian world of Gilead to the high-stakes environment of a courtroom – signals both her continued relationship with Hulu and her willingness to explore diverse character portrayals.
The legal drama genre has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with shows like Suits finding new audiences through streaming and a general appetite for complex, character-driven narratives. Conviction aims to capitalize on this trend, offering a compelling premise with a talented lead actress and a seasoned showrunner at the helm.
The series promises a blend of legal intrigue, psychological suspense, and moral ambiguity, as Neve Harper navigates the treacherous waters of her career-making case while battling a blackmailer who threatens to expose her hidden past. The show’s exploration of compromised ethics and the lengths to which one will go to protect their secrets is likely to resonate with audiences.
With a strong creative team, a compelling source material, and a proven star in Elisabeth Moss, Conviction is poised to become a significant addition to Hulu’s growing slate of original programming. The development deal with Jack Jordan also suggests a long-term investment in his work, potentially leading to further adaptations in the future.
