‘SNL’ Star Kate McKinnon to Play Disgraced Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes in Hulu Limited Series

“The Dropout” is based on ABC News podcast of the same name

kate mckinnon elizabeth holmes
Getty

“Saturday Night Live” star Kate McKinnon will play Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in a Hulu limited series called “The Dropout,” TheWrap has learned.

McKinnon will star and executive produce the project, which is based on the ABC News podcast of the same name, an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap. It details the rise and fall of Holmes and her company, the biotech startup Theranos.

Hulu declined to comment.

“The Dropout” tells the story of how Holmes raised hundreds of millions to fund Theranos and became a media darling, while hiding the fact that her touted blood-testing machine didn’t really work. The team behind the podcast will also be involved. Rebecca Jarvis, who hosted, will executive produce, along with Taylor Dunn and Victoria Thompson.

The series is from Fox Searchlight’s year-old TV division, which is now under the same corporate umbrella as ABC News following Disney’s takeover of Fox assets. As part of the $71.3 billion acquisition, Disney also gained 60% ownership of Hulu.

Holmes’ story was also the subject of Alex Gibney’s HBO documentary, “The Inventor,” which premiered in March.

McKinnon is repped by UTA and Artists First and Jarvis is repped by UTA and Ziffren Brittenham.

Deadline first reported the news of the Hulu series.

Comments