Hulu is doubling down on bold, talent-driven comedy with the newly announced pilot Group Chat, a satirical half-hour series created by Kenya Barris, starring and executive produced by La La Anthony, and backed by Kim Kardashian as executive producer.
The project represents the first scripted collaboration under Kardashian’s 2024 first-look deal with 20th Television, further establishing her growing presence in the scripted content space.
💬 A Satire of Secrets, Sisterhood, and Success
Group Chat follows five powerful women in their 40s, bonded by a no-holds-barred group chat where their most brutally honest thoughts—and deepest insecurities—are shared. The series offers a sharp, satirical lens on friendship, ambition, and identity, reflecting the tension between public image and private reality.
Loosely inspired by Anthony’s bestselling memoir The Love Playbook, the show dives into themes of modern femininity, relationships, and reinvention—all with a comedic twist that resonates with Hulu’s expanding 25–44 female demographic.
Behind the Scenes: Strategic Talent and Creative Partnerships
Produced by 20th Television and BET Studios, Group Chat is the latest addition to Hulu’s live-action comedy development slate. Kenya Barris is writing the pilot and producing under his Khalabo Ink Society banner, alongside Adam Kassan.
This marks the first scripted pilot from Kim Kardashian’s 20th Television deal, signaling her pivot from reality icon to scripted content creator. Kardashian also executive produces All’s Fair, a Hulu legal drama with Ryan Murphy, and continues to anchor the unscripted juggernaut The Kardashians.
Together, Kardashian, Barris, and Anthony bring unmatched visibility, audience reach, and creative weight to the project.
La La Anthony Steps Into Comedy Leadership
Known for standout roles in Power and The Chi, La La Anthony takes on her first leading role in a comedy series with Group Chat. It also marks her first scripted project as both star and executive producer.
She previously collaborated with Barris on Grown-ish, and this latest team-up underscores her expanding presence behind the scenes as a creative force.
Part of Hulu’s Revamped Comedy Push
Group Chat joins a slate of fresh Hulu comedies including Mid-Century Modern and Chad Powers, as the platform diversifies beyond franchise-driven content. According to insiders, Hulu is aiming to rebrand its comedy identity with edgy, culturally relevant series rooted in female and BIPOC perspectives.
These strategic moves reflect Hulu’s broader goal to differentiate itself in the saturated streaming market, with emphasis on first-look deals and IP incubators tied to high-visibility talent.
Business Outlook: A Model for Talent-Driven Development
Group Chat exemplifies a rising trend in streaming: celebrity-first development models. By pairing marquee names like Kardashian and Barris with studio equity (BET Studios, 20th Television), Hulu is investing in pre-packaged IP with built-in buzz.
The show also leverages Kardashian’s enormous social capital and Barris’s track record for culturally sharp comedy, making it a pilot with strong crossover appeal.
Industry analysts suggest this model will become increasingly common as streamers seek lower-risk, high-return original content strategies.
‘Group Chat’ Signals a New Chapter in Hulu’s Comedy Strategy
With a pilot built on star power, cultural currency, and creative ambition, Group Chat is poised to be one of Hulu’s most watched development stories in 2025. Whether the series moves to full order remains to be seen, but its combination of female empowerment, real-world relevance, and satirical bite already sets it apart.
For Hulu, this isn’t just another pilot—it’s a signal that the next phase of streaming comedy may be shaped by who you know, what you say, and how you laugh about it afterward.
