After a few months since the TV adaptation of The Devil in the White City given a series order by Hulu, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that the Disney-owned streamer has finally decided to exit the long-in-development project. The surprise cancellation comes after Keanu Reeves and director Todd Field left the series in October 2022.
Sources at the outlet noted that ABC Signature is now planning to make a purchase The Devil in the White City adapting to other networks and streamers. Before Hulu left the series, award-winning actor Jeremy Allen White (No shame, The Bear) and Jude Law (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) is in negotiations for the lead roles with director Matt Ross. Despite this setback, it was confirmed that White, Law, and Ross were still talking.
Based on the 2003 historical thriller novel by Erik Larson, The Devil in the White City centers around two characters at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893: Daniel H. Burnham, a brilliant and resourceful architect racing to make his mark on the world; and Dr. Henry H. Holmes, a handsome and cunning doctor who is secretly a serial killer who seduces, tortures, and mutilates young women in his own castle.
The series adaptation is written and executive produced by Sam Shaw, who is also set as showrunner. The project was first announced in 2019, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese serving as executive producers. Executive producers are Rick Yorn, Sam Shaw, Jennifer Davisson, and Stacey Sher. It is an ABC Signature, Appian Way, and Paramount TV Studios production.