Ellen Pompeo Leads Hulu Pilot 'Chicks' Penned by Katie Robbins

Actress Ellen Pompeo is embarking on a new venture with Hulu, taking on a starring and executive producer role in the pilot for a dramedy titled "Chicks." This project reunites her with writer Katie Robbins, known for her work on "Good American Family." The show promises a unique blend of family dynamics and lighthearted crime, set against the backdrop of a changing urban landscape.

The narrative of "Chicks" centers around two half-sisters, Chickie (portrayed by Pompeo) and Doreen, who find themselves estranged but united by circumstance. Their lives take an unexpected turn following the demise of their street-smart father. Left with an unconventional inheritance rooted in petty crime, the sisters begin to execute increasingly elaborate fraudulent schemes. As their illicit activities grow in scale, so does the strength of their bond, as they inadvertently fill the void left by their father in each other's lives.

This collaboration between Pompeo and Robbins stems from discussions they had while working together on the set of "Good American Family." That series, which premiered on Hulu in 2025 and featured actors like Jay Duplass and Imogen Faith Reed, was inspired by real-life events. Robbins's impressive resume also includes creating the Apple TV+ series "Sunny" and contributing to the acclaimed Showtime production "The Affair." This new pilot signals Pompeo's continued engagement with Hulu after her role on the long-running medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" became less prominent.

Hulu has recently shown a renewed interest in ordering pilots, a practice many streaming platforms had moved away from in favor of direct-to-series orders. This strategy allows networks to gauge audience reaction and refine concepts before committing to a full season. Other notable pilots currently in development at Hulu include a reboot of "The X-Files" helmed by Ryan Coogler, "Southern Bastards" (both under the Onyx Collective), and "Durango," a snowboarding drama starring Cooper Hoffman. The initial news of the "Chicks" pilot order was first reported by Deadline.

This upcoming Hulu pilot sees Ellen Pompeo in a central role, exploring themes of family, inheritance, and unconventional survival alongside writer Katie Robbins. The series, set in Boston, delves into the sisters' journey of forging an unbreakable bond amidst a life of escalating cons, showcasing their resilience and unexpected camaraderie.