The Post-Grey’s Pivot

For two decades, Ellen Pompeo was the face of primetime’s most reliable medical drama. Now, she is betting on a very different kind of operation. Hulu has officially ordered a pilot for Chicks, a family dramedy that marks the latest collaboration between Pompeo and creator Katie Robbins.

The project, which is set to begin production in New York this September, follows two estranged half-sisters, Chickie—played by Pompeo—and Doreen. After their father, a local wise guy, dies unexpectedly, the pair find themselves inheriting nothing but a roadmap for small-time crime. The show tracks their evolution from petty grifters to architects of increasingly audacious frauds, all while navigating a rapidly gentrifying Boston landscape.

Why the Partnership Matters

This isn't a random pairing. Chicks is the direct result of the creative chemistry Pompeo and Robbins developed while working on the limited series Good American Family. That project, which premiered last March, proved to be a significant performer for Hulu, pulling in 6.3 million views in its first six days. For the streamer, the decision to move forward with Chicks is a clear attempt to capitalize on that existing rapport.

Robbins, whose credits include the Rashida Jones-led dark comedy Sunny and a tenure as a top producer on Showtime’s The Affair, developed the concept specifically for Pompeo. The show is designed to lean into the "odd-couple" dynamic between the sisters, using their criminal enterprise as a backdrop for exploring the emotional void left by their father.

A Return to the Pilot Model

Chicks is part of a broader shift in how Hulu handles its development slate. After years of leaning heavily into straight-to-series orders—a strategy that defined the peak of the streaming wars—the platform has reverted to a more traditional pilot model.

This shift is intended to mitigate risk in an increasingly crowded market. Chicks joins a growing list of pilots currently in the works at Hulu, including the reality-themed comedy Lex, the drama Durango from Eliza Clark, and a graphic novel adaptation of Southern Bastards. By testing these concepts before committing to full seasons, Hulu is signaling a more cautious approach to its original content spend.

Key Takeaways

  • The Creative Team: The project reunites Ellen Pompeo with Katie Robbins, the creator behind the successful Hulu limited series Good American Family.
  • The Premise: Set in a gentrifying Boston, the show centers on two estranged half-sisters who turn to crime as a way to bond and survive after their father’s death.
  • The Strategy: The pilot order reflects Hulu’s return to a traditional development cycle, prioritizing testable pilots over the straight-to-series model that dominated the streaming boom.

What Comes Next

With production slated for September, the immediate focus shifts to casting the role of Doreen, the second half of the sisterly duo. The success of this pilot will be measured not just by its creative execution, but by whether it can replicate the viewership numbers of Good American Family in a landscape where audiences are increasingly selective about new series. If the pilot clears the internal review process, a series order would likely land in early 2026, positioning the show for a potential fall launch.