Dylan O’Brien has been cast in the lead role for the upcoming Hulu comedy pilot Lex, according to a report from Variety. The project, which marks a return to series television for the actor, is currently in development as a single-camera comedy.
What is the plot of Lex?
The series follows a character named Lex, played by O’Brien, who experiences a life-altering event when he discovers he has inherited a fortune from a distant relative he never knew existed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the windfall forces Lex to navigate the complexities of his new, opulent reality while attempting to maintain his previous life. The pilot is written and executive produced by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, both of whom have extensive backgrounds in late-night and satirical comedy writing.
Who is behind the production?
The production team for Lex includes prominent names in the comedy industry. Seth Reiss is known for his work as a writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Onion. Will Tracy previously served as an executive producer and writer for HBO’s Succession and the film The Menu. The project is being produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios. As reported by Deadline, the creative involvement of Reiss and Tracy suggests a tone that balances character-driven humor with social satire, consistent with their previous work.
How does this fit into Dylan O’Brien’s career?
Dylan O’Brien rose to prominence as the lead in MTV’s Teen Wolf and the Maze Runner film franchise. In recent years, he has transitioned toward more diverse film roles, including the lead in the Paramount+ film Not Okay and the short film All Too Well. Lex represents a significant return to the episodic television format for the actor. Unlike his past work in supernatural drama or action, this pilot places O’Brien firmly in the comedy genre, a shift that industry analysts view as a strategic move to showcase his range in lighter, dialogue-heavy material.
What happens next for the pilot?
The pilot order is the first step in a standard television development cycle. Hulu will evaluate the completed pilot before deciding whether to greenlight a full series order. While the project is currently in the early stages, the involvement of established writers like Tracy and Reiss, coupled with O’Brien’s track record, positions it as a high-priority development for the platform. There is currently no official release date or production schedule for the series.
Key Details at a Glance
- Lead Actor: Dylan O’Brien
- Writers/EPs: Seth Reiss and Will Tracy
- Studio: 20th Television
- Platform: Hulu
- Format: Single-camera comedy pilot