Anne Hathaway is officially diving into the true-crime world, and this story is wilder than any fiction. Paramount+ just announced that the Oscar winner will star in and executive produce “Fear Not,” a limited series that explores one of the strangest “odd couple” stories in criminal history.
A Miracle in the Midst of a Nightmare
The series tells the bone-chilling true story of Stephen Morin. He was a serial killer whose body count was rumored to be even higher than Ted Bundy’s. Hathaway plays Margy Palm, the last woman Morin ever kidnapped.
What should have been a tragic end turned into something completely unexpected. Instead of a typical captive story, the two formed an unbelievable bond rooted in Margy’s unwavering faith. She spent her abduction praying for him and showing him compassion—a move that actually saved her life. Their relationship didn’t end when she escaped, either; it lasted all the way until Morin was executed on death row.
The Creative Team
Bash Doran (Boardwalk Empire, Outlaw King) is handling the script, so expect a high-tension, prestige drama vibe. The show is inspired by Vanity Fair’s article “Sympathy for the Devil” by Julie Miller.
The series is a massive collaboration between MGM Television, Vanity Fair Studios, and Hathaway’s own Somewhere Pictures. Even the authentic Margy Palm and her family are on board as executive producers!
The Killer
Law enforcement officials and true crime historians believe his actual body count is much higher. He is a primary suspect in up to 30 to 40 murders across the U.S. HE targeted young women in states like Utah, Colorado, Florida, and Nevada. Morin was often called a “chameleon” because his MO (method of operation) was built entirely on his ability to blend into any environment. Unlike slashers who relied on brute force, Morin’s approach was psychological and predatory. In 1982, he was sentenced to death by lethal injection in Texas. On March 18, 1985, his sentence was carried out on March 13, 1985.
One of the most chilling aspects of Morin’s MO was his van. He reportedly had an associate help him soundproof the back of it, unaware of what Morin intended. He used this van to transport and hold victims captive, sometimes for days or even weeks. This allowed him to move across state lines while keeping his victims hidden from sight and sound.
Morin wasn’t tied to a single “signature” weapon. He used whatever allowed him to maintain control or end a life quickly during an escape attempt. He used stabbing, shooting, blunt force, or strangulation.
Why We’re Hyped
Paramount+ is promising a “chilling and enthralling” look at this case. It focuses on the psychological gravity that only an actress like Hathaway can deliver. It’s a deep dive into faith, courage, and the idea that even the “devil” might be capable of change.
Anne Hathaway’s Massive 2026
If you feel like you’re seeing Anne everywhere this year, you’re right. “Fear Not” is just one piece of her absolute takeover of 2026. Keep an eye out for her other big projects, including The Devil Wears Prada 2 (The reunion we’ve been waiting for!), Mother Mary, The Odyssey, Verity (The Colleen Hoover adaptation), and Flowervale Street.
“Fear Not” is set to premiere globally on Paramount+ in 2027, but with production starting soon, expect more casting news to drop shortly.
