EXCLUSIVE: Oscar and Emmy winner Kate Winslet has departed Hulu drama series The Spot, sources tell Deadline. Winslet was attached as star and executive producer to the project, from creator/executive producer Ed Solomon and A24, which, in a very competitive situation, landed at Hulu last August with a straight-to-series order.
According to sources, the reasons behind her exit from The Spot are creative and related, at least in part, to how the project’s evolution has impacted the required approach to the role.
Conversations are underway with other A-list actresses, and production is still targeting a 2026 start once the role is recast.
Hulu has been found in a similar position before. In 2021, Kate McKinnon, originally attached to star and executive produce The Dropout, departed, with Amanda Seyfried subsequently cast, winning an Emmy. Last year, Margaret Qualley, who had been set as the lead in the upcoming Amanda Knox limited series, pulled out and was succeeded by Grace Van Patten.
Created and written by Solomon, who will serve as showrunner, The Spot follows a successful surgeon — the role that is now being recast — and her school teacher husband who suspect she might be responsible for a child’s hit-and-run death. While looking into the matter, dark secrets are revealed that will test their relationship as they confront the possibility of hidden guilt and betrayal.
The project was developed by A24, which serves as lead studio, co-producing the series with Hulu sibling 20th Television.
