A Female-Led Approach to Sensitive Storytelling

The new Hulu series Furious tackles intense and heavy subject matter, yet the production team has made a deliberate creative choice to steer clear of graphic depictions of abuse. Emmy Rossum, who stars in the series and is 39, emphasized that the show's perspective is deeply shaped by its creators.

«This is a show made mostly by women,» Rossum stated. «You can feel that in the treatment of the women and the victims in the show.» According to Rossum, the eight-part narrative avoids any unnecessary cruelty. «There are no flashbacks that are showing the violence against them. But we feel that in every aspect of them. We can see the specific ways that it shows up in their life,» she explained.


Exploring Complex Characters and Dark Themes

Series creator Elizabeth Meriwether drew inspiration from the 1987 film Black Widow to craft a narrative that examines human trafficking and abuse through the lens of imperfect, multi-dimensional characters. The plot follows FBI agent Alice (Rossum) as she tracks a calculating serial killer, portrayed by 30-year-old Lola Petticrew, who targets men known for exploiting young women.

Meriwether noted the importance of moving away from stereotypical tropes regarding trauma:

«Often on television, we see women who are victims as perfect victims. They’re presented with halos. I really wanted the show to dig into what it actually feels like to be a victim of violence and how it can manifest in really strange ways. It can end up making you make strange and tough choices.»

Balancing Research and Emotional Well-being

The crime drama, which also features performances by Scoot McNairy, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, and Jake Lacy, relies on unpredictable plot twists. For Petticrew, stepping into the role of a vengeful character required a careful balance between reality and drama.

Petticrew noted the importance of maintaining professional boundaries while handling such heavy material: «You have to be able to go in and do your best work and you can’t do that if you let the work eat away at you.»

To prepare for the role, Petticrew leaned heavily on Meriwether’s script and suggested research materials:

  • Consulting curated reading lists and documentaries.
  • Navigating the sensitive ethical line between professional research and the exploitation of real-world survivors.
  • Relying on the strength and support of the cast and crew to maintain a healthy work environment.

Furious is currently available for streaming, with new episodes airing on Mondays on Hulu.