Actress Natasha Rothwell will lead the latest Onyx Collective project for Hulu, How to Die Alone.
The forthcoming half-hour comedy, created by Rothwell, follows her fictional JFK airport employee character Melissa — aka Mel. Synopses of the show describe the protagonist as a neurotic and broke someone who’s “never been in love” and “forgotten how to dream.”
Following an accidental near-death experience, Mel is launched into the process of taking agency of her life. Moving forward, she “refuses to settle” for anything less than she desires and is dedicated to being “that b***h.” Through her journey, Mel commits to “living by any means necessary.”
Rothwell (Insecure, Wonka) is the creator and lead, as well as an executive producer and co-showrunner. How to Die Alone also stars Conrad Ricamora (How to Get Away with Murder, The Resident) as Rory, Jocko Sims (New Amsterdam, The Last Ship) as Alex, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones (The Other Two, Succession) as Terrance.
Rothwell posted a promotion for the show in early July and wrote, “This is what a dream coming true looks like” in her caption. Underneath a picture of a Deadline headline, she said, “I’m truly overwhelmed by all the love and support for my new show. It means the world to me to have you all in my corner. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
What Can Viewers Expect From Season One Of Natasha Rothwell’s How To Die Alone?
The first four episodes will drop on September 13 via Hulu. Following that, Rothwell says two new episodes will premiere weekly. IMDB disclosed that How to Die Alone Season one has eight episodes in total. ABC Signature produces the series in association with Rothwell’s banner, Big Hattie Productions.
Rory is Mel’s close friend, Alex is her ex, and Terrance is her co-worker. As Mel navigates a love triangle with the latter two, the show’s themes include her direct and indirect explorations of loneliness, vulnerability, authenticity, and fearlessness.
In a February 2024 Mashable interview, Rothwell described the show as “the most vulnerable piece of art” she’s ever created.
At Essence Fest 2024, the creator-actress noted How to Die Alone is a project she’s worked on for seven years. She proudly premiered the show at the festival and described the feat as “life-changing.”
