A true story about faith, survival, and a shocking connection with a serial killer is coming to screens. Oscar winner Anne Hathaway will star in ‘Fear Not,’ a new limited series for Paramount+ that recounts the incredible survival story of a Texas mother named Margy Palm.
The series is based on a real 2023 Vanity Fair article and tells the story of Stephen Morin, a prolific serial killer, and Palm, the last woman he kidnapped. What started as a terrifying abduction evolved into a complex, years-long relationship based on Palm’s deep faith. The show has received a straight-to-series order and is expected to premiere in 2027.
The True Story Behind ‘Fear Not’
‘Fear Not’ is adapted from the Vanity Fair article “Sympathy for the Devil” by Julie Miller. The story centers on Margy Palm, a religious mother from Texas. On December 11, 1981, Palm was shopping for Christmas gifts at a Kmart when she was abducted by Stephen Morin in the parking lot.
Morin was a serial killer suspected of more than 30 murders across the southwestern United States, a number of crimes some reports say surpass those of the infamous Ted Bundy. Palm spent eight terrifying hours as his hostage.
The story took an extraordinary turn. Instead of violence, Palm used her strong religious faith to talk with Morin. She appealed to his humanity and expressed her belief that he could be changed. Her compassion and courage led Morin to release her. After her safe return, an unusual bond formed. Palm visited Morin in prison more than a dozen times in the following years, maintaining their connection until he was executed by lethal injection in 1985.
Cast and Creative Team for the Series
Anne Hathaway will portray the survivor, Margy Palm. Hathaway is also an executive producer on the series through her production company, Somewhere Pictures, alongside Adam Shulman and Johnathan Rice. This marks a return to television for Hathaway, whose last major series role was in the 2022 Apple TV+ limited series WeCrashed.
The series was created and written by Bash Doran, known for her work on shows like Boardwalk Empire and the Netflix film Outlaw King. Doran is also serving as showrunner.
The executive producing team includes a significant detail that ensures the story is told with sensitivity: Margy Palm herself, along with her husband Bart and daughter Noelle, are listed as executive producers. They will work alongside producers from MGM Television, Toluca Pictures, and Vanity Fair Studios.
“By grounding this chilling true story in the lived experience of our protagonist, Anne is bringing a level of nuance and gravity to the screen that only a performer of her caliber can,” said Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+.
Paramount+’s Strategy and Series Development
The greenlight for ‘Fear Not’ is one of the first major moves by the new leadership at Paramount+ following the Paramount-Skydance merger in August 2025. The streamer, under the direction of Cindy Holland and Jane Wiseman, has stated a goal to develop more female-led content.
‘Fear Not’ fits into this strategy as a female-driven thriller. It joins other recent series orders like Discretion, starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning. The project was highly sought-after, landing at Paramount+ after a competitive bidding situation with other major streamers.
The path to production was swift once Paramount+ got involved. The streamer commissioned a rewrite of the pilot script and ordered backup scripts, putting the project on a fast-track development schedule. A key factor in the quick decision was aligning the production schedule with Hathaway’s limited availability.
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Release Plans and What’s Next for Anne Hathaway
Paramount+ has announced that ‘Fear Not’ will be a six-part limited series set to premiere in 2027. Specific filming dates and a more precise release window have not yet been revealed.
For Anne Hathaway, this series adds to an exceptionally busy period. The actress has five major films scheduled for release in 2026. These include Mother Mary, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, the Colleen Hoover adaptation Verity, and Flowervale Street. This makes her commitment to ‘Fear Not’ a significant addition to her upcoming projects.
The true story of Margy Palm and Stephen Morin is a challenging one, exploring difficult themes of trauma, faith, and forgiveness. With the real Palm family involved and Anne Hathaway leading the cast, ‘Fear Not’ aims to bring a thoughtful and nuanced perspective to this complex chapter of true crime history.
