Hulu to Adapt 'The Poison Daughter' Romantasy Novel
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- Hulu is developing a drama series based on Sheila Masterson's self-published romantasy novel 'The Poison Daughter,' with Masterson set to executive produce and 20th Television as the studio while the project searches for a writer.
- 'The Poison Daughter' was self-published in October 2025 and sold more than 250,000 copies, hitting the USA Today Bestseller list three times before Slowburn acquired it in April 2026, with hardcover, audiobook, and 20-language translation editions set for August 18, 2026.
- The novel follows Harlow Carrenwell, a poison-lipped assassin whose kisses kill on contact — until her new betrothed Henry Havenwood survives a kiss and discovers her double life as an enforcer for her magical founding family.
- Hulu and 20th Television previously tried to adapt Sarah J. Maas's 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' with Outlander creator Ron Moore, but after several years of development the project ultimately didn't move forward.
- Prime Video greenlit a series based on Rebecca Yarros's 'Fourth Wing,' while Sony Pictures Television is developing Jennifer L. Armentrout's 'From Blood and Ash' and Amazon MGM Studios is turning Devney Perry's 'Shield of Sparrows' into a movie.
- Masterson is repped by CAA and Trellis Literary Management and has previously self-published 'Song of the Dark Wood,' the 'The Lost God' quartet, and its standalone spinoff 'A Legacy of Stars.'
Why it matters: Hulu is doubling down on romantasy after its A Court of Thorns and Roses adaptation stalled in development for years, betting that 250,000+ self-published sales signal built-in audience demand. Prime Video, Sony, and Amazon MGM are all racing to adapt similar titles, but Hulu/20th TV's track record in this genre is one prior project that never moved forward.
