Hulu Developing Series Based on Romantasy Novel “The Poison Daughter,” With Author Sheila Masterson Set to Executive Produce

Hulu is developing a drama series based on the romantasy novel “The Poison Daughter,” Deadline reported Monday. The project centers on author Sheila Masterson’s dark enemies-to-lovers premise, and Masterson is set to executive produce the adaptation. According to the report, Hulu is currently looking for a writer for the series, with 20th Television named as the studio.

Deadline’s account frames the development as the latest screen adaptation route for a self-published book making a transition to streaming. Masterson’s role is not described as strictly advisory. She is set to executive produce, a creative and production position that typically involves oversight of adaptation and development decisions as the series moves from early planning into scripted writing and casting.

In the novel’s setup, the story follows Harlow, whose relationships with other characters drive the romance and conflict described in the genre’s “enemies-to-lovers” structure. Deadline described the series as a “dark” romantasy, but did not provide additional plot specifics in the excerpted description beyond the central framing of Harlow’s story and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic.

The report does not list any attached cast or a production timeline beyond the current development stage. It also does not name the writer or outline whether Hulu is pursuing a limited series or an open-ended drama order. Instead, the immediate next step identified is finding a writer, which is often the stage when the adaptation’s core narrative structure, episode count, and series tone are formalized for approval within the streamer’s development pipeline.

With 20th Television set as the studio, the project would fall under a major television production umbrella known for developing scripted dramas for network and streaming partners. Hulu’s involvement places the series within the streamer’s original programming slate, where development typically follows a process that includes script development, budget and schedule decisions, and eventual series pickup depending on internal milestones.

Masterson’s executive-producer attachment is also relevant for audiences following book-to-screen adaptations, because author involvement can shape how themes, character motivations, and genre expectations are carried over from page to screen. Deadline did not describe any additional production partners or contractual details, so those elements are not specified in the reporting.

For viewers, the project’s primary public impact for now is its confirmation of “The Poison Daughter” moving into formal development at Hulu and 20th Television, with a writer search underway. For industry observers, it continues a trend of streaming services drawing from romantasy titles across traditional and independent publishing channels, while using established studio partners and author executive-producer roles to manage adaptation fit and audience expectations.