Hulu has rivaled HBO Max and Netflix by creating its own original content in the form of various miniseries', adaptations of novels, and partnerships with FX. Set to release nearly a dozen more original comedies and dramas by the end of the year, the network has already garnered several Emmy nominations from its original programming that debuted in 2022 alone.
Most of Hulu's successful shows have been true-crime miniseries, focusing on real life events with big actors attached to the projects. From The Dropout to Candy, there's no shortage of fictionalized true events on Hulu, with their drama series heavily outdoing any of their canceled comedies.
The Girl From Plainville - 6.3
Based on the real life of Michelle Carter and the death of her boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, The Girl From Plainville depicted the trial and aftermath of Carter's case and conviction of involuntary manslaughter.
Elle Fanning starred as Michelle, a teenage girl who, after evidence was recovered on cell phones, was revealed to have encouraged her boyfriend to end his life. The show served as a backstory for Michelle, and how her life went from that of a normal teenager to a convicted criminal. Fanning was praised for her role, however, many critics found the series odd as it gave attention to a harmful individual.
Life & Beth - 6.6
Hulu's Life & Beth debuted in mid-March, starring Amy Schumer as thirty-something Beth, whose life is turned upside down after suffering from an accident. Instead of awaking to the life she once lived, Beth woke up to find that she seemingly had it all together.
The dramedy was met with mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Schumer's more mature comedy (comparing it to her films Trainwreck and I Feel Pretty), while others felt it still missed the mark. Regardless, Life & Beth did well for the streaming service, especially with Michael Cera starring opposite Schumer.
Conversations With Friends - 6.7
The highly anticipated television adaptation of Sally Rooney's book by the same name, Conversations With Friends was met with mixed reviews from fans of the novel and critics alike.
The show was about s (Alison Oliver) and Bobbi (Sasha Lane), two best friends and exes who befriend a married couple and end up romantically involved with them. The complex relationships that followed tested friendships, marriage, and what it means to have a connection with someone. The series has yet to be renewed or canceled by Hulu.
Maggie - 7.0
Originally slated as an ABC comedy series, Maggie debuted on Hulu in early July with a popular cast composed of Rebecca Rittenhouse, Nichole Sakura, and Chris Elliot.
The 13-episode first season followed Maggie (Rittenhouse), a psychic who can predict everyone's future except her own. That is until she meets Ben, whom she has conflicting visions about that may or may not involve her. The series was met with mostly positive reviews for its light and fluffy charm and is waiting to be renewed for another season by Hulu.
Candy - 7.2
The talented Jessica Biel returned to television to star in Hulu's limited series, Candy in 2022. Biel portrayed the titular character, a housewife fed up with day-to-day life who is accused of murdering her neighbor.
Based on the true story of Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore, Candy was limited to only five episodes to tell the grueling, criminal events that took place in Texas in 1980. Critics praised the actors' performances, specifically that of Biel's and Melanie Lynskey.
Pam & Tommy - 7.3
Perhaps one of the most popular (and controversial) television shows in the entertainment industry this year was Hulu's Pam & Tommy.
The miniseries was based on the real lives of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee Jones (played by Lily James and Sebastian Stan). The series followed the couple as they met, fell in love, got married and dealt with the aftermath of their infamous sex tape. While the show wasn't welcomed with open arms by Tommy Lee and Pam themselves, critics found James and Stan to be outstanding in their portrayals of the celebrities.
Under The Banner Of Heaven - 7.5
Andrew Garfield starred as a detective in Hulu's miniseries, Under The Banner Of Heaven. Based on the novel by Jon Krakauer, the true-crime series focused on Garfield's character investigating the murder of a young woman and her daughter.
The show was set in Utah, and uncovered secrets behind the LDS church and within the Mormon religion. The seven-episode series was praised by fans of the book and critics alike, with Garfield receiving an Emmy nomination for his leading role as Jeb Pyre.
The Dropout - 7.5
Amanda Seyfried landed her first Emmy nod by leading Hulu's The Dropout in 2022. She starred as a fictionalized version of Elizabeth Holmes, a woman who committed fraud whilst running her health technology company, Theranos.
The miniseries brought to light the real-life crimes of Elizabeth Holmes, including the backstory of how she lived a fraudulent life well before the start of Theranos. The eight-episode show captured the rise and fall of an American criminal, and what happens when the rug is pulled out from underneath the person in charge.
Pistol - 7.6
Based on Sex Pistols' Steve Jones' memoir, Pistol told the story of a young band on the rise to stardom. The musical drama was split into six episodes, showcasing how the band came to be and how it ultimately fell apart due to the pressures of record labels and addiction.
Hulu's Pistol was a fun blast-from-the-past miniseries that gave a peek into the world of rock n' roll in the '70s and '80s, and just how much competition there was in the world of music at the time. The all-star cast was rounded out by Toby Wallace and Maisie Williams, the latter best known for her work on Game Of Thrones.
The Bear - 8.5
Hulu's best rated show of 2022 thus far starred Shameless's Jeremy Allen White as a chef in Chicago. The Bear described what it was like to run a small business in a big city and how friends can turn into family.
The drama series premiered in late June and has already been renewed for a second season (making it the first to be renewed out of the 2022 Hulu originals). The show paved the way for original series' to come, as it stood apart from the rest of the year's originals as a chosen family drama that focused on real world struggles of working class people.
