Anne Hathaway to Star in Paramount+ True-Crime Limited Series Fear Not

Paramount+ has officially greenlighted Fear Not, a six-episode limited series starring and executive produced by Anne Hathaway. The project marks a rare return to television for the Oscar-winning actress and is one of the first major series orders under the streamer’s new leadership team.

Based on the 2023 Vanity Fair article “True Crime, True Faith: The Serial Killer and the Texas Mom Who Stopped Him,” Fear Not is written by Bash Doran, best known for his work on Boardwalk Empire. The series is produced by MGM Television in association with Toluca Pictures and Somewhere Pictures.

A chilling true story rooted in faith and survival

Fear Not tells the harrowing true story of Stephen Morin, a prolific serial killer accused of more crimes than Ted Bundy, and the extraordinary bond he formed with Margy Palm, the last woman he ever kidnapped. Hathaway will portray Palm, a religious Texas mother whose faith played a crucial role in saving her life.

Palm was abducted outside a Kmart while Christmas shopping on December 11, 1981. After spending eight hours as Morin’s captive, she convinced him to release her by speaking to him about compassion, prayer, and redemption. What began as a terrifying hostage situation evolved into an unlikely relationship that continued long after Palm was freed, lasting until Morin was executed by lethal injection in 1985 at the age of 34.

Fast-tracked under Paramount+’s new regime

The project was one of the first major acquisitions by the new Paramount+ leadership, headed by Cindy Holland, Paramount’s Direct-to-Consumer chair, and Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+. The series originally landed at the streamer following a competitive bidding process shortly after Skydance completed its acquisition of Paramount Global.

After MGM Television’s sibling streamer Prime Video opted not to move forward with the project, the fully packaged series — including a completed pilot script — was taken back to the market. Paramount+ ultimately prevailed, placing the project on a fast track and ordering a pilot rewrite, a series bible, and a backup script before issuing a straight-to-series order shortly after the holiday break.

Sources indicate that Hathaway’s limited availability added urgency to the decision, with a narrow production window opening in the fall that aligned with her film schedule.

Part of a female-driven thriller push

Fear Not joins a growing slate of female-led thrillers at Paramount+, reflecting a strategic priority for the streamer’s new leadership. Other recent series orders include A24’s legal drama Discretion, starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, and 9/12, a six-episode limited series led by Jeremy Strong.

Wiseman praised the project, saying the series grounds its chilling true-crime elements in the lived experience of its protagonist and highlights Hathaway’s ability to bring nuance and emotional depth to complex material.

A rare TV return for Hathaway

While Hathaway began her career on television with the short-lived Fox series Get Real in 1999, she has largely focused on film over the past two decades, winning an Academy Award for Les Misérables. Her most recent major TV role was in the 2022 Apple TV+ limited series WeCrashed, which she also executive produced.

Hathaway’s upcoming film slate includes Mother Mary, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Odyssey, Verity, and Flowervale Street, making Fear Not a notable and timely addition to her career.

With its powerful true story, prestige creative team, and high-profile lead, Fear Not is shaping up to be one of Paramount+’s most anticipated limited series.