Furious: Everything to Know About Hulu's Breakout Crime Thriller

What's the actual premise?

Emmy Rossum plays Alice Black, an FBI agent and former NYPD homicide detective who transferred roles after her career was derailed by an abusive relationship with a fellow officer. Working the public tip line rather than major cases, Alice becomes drawn into investigating a string of deaths connected to Catherine Grace, played by Lola Petticrew, a woman targeting wealthy men. As Alice gets closer to Catherine, the show blurs the line between pursuing justice and something closer to personal reckoning for both women.

How is this connected to a 1987 film?

Furious is loosely inspired by Black Widow, a 1987 film starring Debra Winger as a Justice Department analyst tracking a woman, played by Theresa Russell, who marries and murders wealthy men for their money. Creator Elizabeth Meriwether has updated that core premise into a modern crime drama, using it as a jumping-off point rather than a strict remake, with genuinely different psychological terrain around why its central killer does what she does.

Why are critics responding to this so strongly?

Because it does something a lot of recent crime thrillers about violence against women don't attempt, according to several reviews. Rather than simply asking audiences to watch a female detective chase a killer while her personal life falls apart, a familiar genre structure at this point, the show is specifically interested in interrogating how trauma and abuse shape the people around it, including implicating its own viewers in why this genre keeps drawing audiences back. TIME's review specifically highlighted a scene where two female FBI agents openly discuss surviving abusive relationships, finding dark humor in shared trauma rather than treating it purely as backstory.

Who else is in the cast?

Alongside Rossum and Petticrew, the cast includes Scoot McNairy, Quincy Tyler Bernstine as Nora Washington, head of the FBI's sex crimes unit, and Jake Lacy, playing Alice's abusive ex-boyfriend. Several cast members bring recognizable pedigree from other acclaimed shows, Rossum from Shameless, Lacy from The White Lotus, and McNairy from Halt and Catch Fire, giving the ensemble real depth beyond its two central performances.

How was the show released, and how many episodes are there?

Eight episodes total, with the first three releasing together on July 27, followed by one new episode weekly through the August 31 finale. That structure gave the show an immediate splash on release while still building weekly anticipation through its back half.

Has the show been renewed for a second season?

Not yet, and that's not unusual given the timing. As an original series with only a handful of episodes released so far at the time reports emerged, Hulu is expected to wait until the full season has aired and its performance has been assessed before making a renewal decision.

Is this a show that handles its difficult subject matter responsibly?

Reviews suggest genuinely yes, more so than a typical entry in this crowded genre. Rather than using violence against women purely as spectacle or as the engine of a straightforward thriller plot, critics have specifically praised the show for pushing back on that pattern, using its premise to examine the aftermath and context of abuse rather than simply depicting it for shock value.

Frequently asked questions

When did Furious premiere? July 27, 2026, on Hulu and Disney+ internationally, with the first three episodes released together.

Is Furious based on a true story? No, it's loosely inspired by the 1987 fictional film Black Widow, not a real event.

How many episodes does Furious have? Eight episodes, with the finale airing August 31, 2026.

Has Furious been renewed for Season 2? Not yet confirmed at time of writing.

Want something else in this genre while you wait for renewal news?

Check out our guide to best heist and con artist series, or take our series recommendation quiz for something matched to your mood.