The Con Artist Renaissance: Why ‘Chicks’ Could Be the Next Big Thing in TV
There’s something undeniably captivating about a good con artist story. Maybe it’s the thrill of the scheme, the moral ambiguity, or the way these characters blur the line between hero and villain. But what makes Hulu’s upcoming pilot Chicks particularly fascinating is its blend of family drama, dark humor, and a setting that feels both specific and universally relatable. Personally, I think this show has the potential to tap into something bigger—a cultural moment where audiences are craving stories that are equal parts escapist and reflective.
A Tale of Two Sisters (and One Very Messy Inheritance)
At its core, Chicks is about Chickie (Ellen Pompeo) and Doreen (Jodie Whittaker), two half-sisters who inherit nothing but trouble when their father dies. What many people don’t realize is that this setup isn’t just a plot device—it’s a metaphor for the ways we inherit our pasts, whether we want to or not. The sisters’ journey into small-time crime isn’t just about making ends meet; it’s about filling the void left by a father who was more of a ghost than a presence. From my perspective, this dynamic is ripe for exploration. How do we reconcile the legacies we’re handed with the lives we want to build? And what happens when those legacies come with a side of criminality?
Louis Cancelmi’s Danny McKeever: The Poet-Con Artist Hybrid
One thing that immediately stands out is the addition of Louis Cancelmi as Danny McKeever, a funeral home director with a poet’s soul and a con artist’s ambition. Cancelmi’s casting feels like a masterstroke—he’s an actor who excels at playing characters who are both charming and deeply flawed. What this really suggests is that Chicks isn’t just about the sisters; it’s about the ecosystem of people who are drawn to the con. Danny’s character raises a deeper question: Are con artists born, or are they made by circumstance? His backstory—stuck in a job he hates, dreaming of something more—feels painfully relatable. In a world where so many of us feel trapped by our choices, Danny’s leap into criminality might just resonate more than we’d like to admit.
Boston’s Gentrifying Landscape: More Than Just a Backdrop
The show’s setting in gentrifying Boston is no accident. Gentrification isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a force that reshapes communities, displaces people, and erases histories. What makes this particularly fascinating is how Chicks uses this backdrop to explore themes of displacement and identity. Chickie and Doreen aren’t just con artists—they’re survivors in a city that’s leaving them behind. Their scams aren’t just about money; they’re about reclaiming a sense of power in a world that’s pushing them out. If you take a step back and think about it, this is a story about resilience, not just crime.
The Creative Minds Behind the Scenes
Katie Robbins, the show’s creator, developed Chicks specifically for Ellen Pompeo, inspired by their conversations on the set of Good American Family. This detail that I find especially interesting is how personal the project feels. It’s not just another pilot—it’s a collaboration born out of a genuine connection. Robbins’s decision to center the story on two women navigating a male-dominated world of crime feels both timely and timeless. In an industry that’s still figuring out how to tell women’s stories without reducing them to stereotypes, Chicks has the potential to break new ground.
The Broader Trend: Why Con Artist Stories Are Having a Moment
From Ocean’s Eleven to The Sting, con artist stories have always been popular. But what’s different now is the context. In an era of economic uncertainty, rising inequality, and a growing distrust of institutions, the con artist feels like a modern-day Robin Hood. They’re not just breaking the rules—they’re exposing how rigged the system is. Chicks taps into this zeitgeist by framing its characters not as villains, but as underdogs. Personally, I think this is why the show could resonate so strongly. It’s not just about the scams; it’s about the people behind them and the world that made them.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for ‘Chicks’?
While the pilot is still in development, the pieces are in place for something special. Ellen Pompeo and Jodie Whittaker are proven stars, and Louis Cancelmi brings a depth that could elevate the material. But what this really comes down to is the writing. If Robbins and her team can balance the humor, heart, and heist elements, Chicks could be the next big thing in TV. One thing’s for sure: in a crowded landscape of crime dramas, this show has the potential to stand out by focusing on the human stories behind the cons.
Final Thoughts: The Con Artist as a Modern Hero
As I reflect on Chicks, I’m struck by how much it has to say about our current moment. It’s a show about family, survival, and the lengths we’ll go to in order to feel seen. The con artist, once a figure of pure villainy, has become a symbol of resistance—a reminder that sometimes the only way to win is to rewrite the rules. Whether Chicks becomes a hit or not, it’s already part of a larger conversation about who gets to tell stories and how. And that, in my opinion, is what makes it worth watching.
