Elisabeth Moss is trading Gilead for the courtroom.
Hulu has greenlit a series adaptation of Jack Jordan’s psychological thriller “Conviction,” with the Emmy-winning actress set to lead and executive produce.
The project reunites Moss with the streaming platform that made “The Handmaid’s Tale” a cultural phenomenon, but this time she’s playing a criminal defense attorney whose career-making case becomes her personal nightmare.
And with “House” creator David Shore adapting and showrunning, viewers should expect sharp writing and moral complexity.
A High-Stakes Legal Thriller with a Twist
Based on Jordan’s 2023 novel, “Conviction” follows Neve Harper, a confident criminal defense attorney finally landing her breakthrough case: a high-profile murder trial where a husband stands accused of killing his wife by burning down their home.
But just as Harper prepares to make her mark, a mysterious stranger starts blackmailing her. The catch? She must compromise every legal, moral, and ethical principle to secure an acquittal—or risk her darkest secrets being dragged into the light.
The premise delivers exactly the kind of morally ambiguous territory that has defined Moss’s most compelling work. After six seasons of playing June Osborne in dystopian Gilead, she’s moving into territory that asks different but equally unsettling questions about justice, integrity, and survival.
The Powerhouse Team Behind the Series
David Shore brings serious pedigree to the showrunner chair. The creator of Fox’s medical drama juggernaut “House,” which ran eight seasons, and ABC’s “The Good Doctor,” which wrapped after seven seasons in 2024, Shore knows how to craft character-driven procedurals with emotional depth.
He’s adapting Jordan’s novel while executive producing through his Shore Z Productions banner alongside Erin Gunn.
Warren Littlefield rounds out the executive producer roster through The Littlefield Co., bringing his extensive Moss collaboration history. He previously worked with her on both “The Handmaid’s Tale” and the upcoming “The Testaments,” which premieres on Hulu April 8.
Moss produces through her Love & Squalor Pictures banner, with additional executive producers including:
- Author Jack Jordan
- Ann Johnson and Lisa Harrison (The Littlefield Co.)
- Bert Salke (Co-Lab21)
- Lindsey McManus (Love & Squalor Pictures)
20th Television serves as the studio, housing overall deals with both Shore and Littlefield, plus a multi-year development agreement with Jordan himself.
Elisabeth Moss: From Gilead to the Defense Table
Moss’s attachment carries significant weight. Her portrayal of June Osborne in “The Handmaid’s Tale” earned her four Emmy nominations for outstanding lead actress in a drama, winning in 2017. The series itself claimed best drama series that same year.
But her Emmy history extends far beyond Gilead. She’s received seven additional nominations throughout her career—six for “Mad Men” and one for “Top of the Lake.”
Beyond “Conviction,” Moss continues expanding her television empire. She’s currently executive producing “The Testaments,” and she’ll appear in Apple TV+’s “Imperfect Women” opposite Kerry Washington and Kate Mara.
Her representation roster includes WME, Ocean Avenue, Ribisi Entertainment Group, and Hansen Jacobson.
Jack Jordan’s Rising Television Presence
For author Jack Jordan, “Conviction” represents just one piece of an expanding television footprint. He’s simultaneously developing a series adaptation of another novel, “Deception,” also with 20th Television.
Additionally, Jordan is working on “Redemption” with Disney Entertainment’s International Originals EMEA team, partnering with 20th TV, The Littlefield Co., Co-Lab 21, and Riff Raff Entertainment.
The British thriller writer’s transition from page to screen appears carefully orchestrated, with his multi-year development deal at 20th TV providing infrastructure for multiple projects. He’s represented by Madeleine Milburn Agency, WME, and FKKS.
What Makes This Different from Standard Legal Dramas
“Conviction” isn’t positioning itself as another courtroom procedural. The blackmail element transforms what could be straightforward legal drama into psychological thriller territory.
Harper isn’t just defending a client—she’s protecting herself while simultaneously betraying every principle that supposedly defines her profession. That internal conflict, paired with external pressure, creates narrative tension that extends beyond “will they win the case?”
Shore’s track record suggests he’ll mine that moral complexity ruthlessly. “House” built its entire foundation on a brilliant doctor whose methods constantly crossed ethical lines. “The Good Doctor” explored how neurodivergence intersected with medical practice and institutional expectations.
“Conviction” appears designed to ask uncomfortable questions about how far professionals will bend when their careers—and secrets—hang in the balance.
The Hulu Advantage
Hulu’s commitment to prestige drama has created space for morally complex narratives. “The Handmaid’s Tale” proved the platform could handle dark, challenging material while attracting both critical acclaim and audience devotion.
“Conviction” fits that programming philosophy perfectly—sophisticated storytelling for viewers who want more than simple answers.
With production details and premiere dates still under wraps, fans of Moss, Shore, and psychological thrillers have something genuinely intriguing to anticipate. The combination of established creative talent, compelling source material, and a platform willing to embrace complexity suggests “Conviction” could become Hulu’s next must-watch drama.