[SXSW 2022] 'The Girl from Plainville': Elle Fanning, Chloë Sevigny and Colton Ryan Bring a Tragic Story to Hulu

Since technology entered our daily lives, children have been cautioned against its use. In the new Hulu series The Girl from Plainville, viewers will see the crime story that shocked the nation, and had us all re-thinking our text messages. Co-created by Liz Hannah & Patrick Macmanus, the series stars Elle Fanning, Chloë Sevigny and Colton Ryan.

The Girl from Plainville is centered around the real case of Michelle Carter and her text message exchanges with her boyfriend Conrad Roy III. Exploring their relationship, lives and subsequent death of Roy, followed by Carter‘s trial and conviction of involuntary manslaughter.

The series hosted its world premiere at SXSW in Austin, TX earlier this month and the stars were there to give their insights into the new true crime series. “It was really such a riveting case that we all followed…Technology really is the weapon in our story here and that’s what I was interested to explore” said Elle Fanning who plays Michelle.

The Girl from Plainville is based on the Esquire article by Jesse Barron, who followed the trial and media frenzy that ensued. In the first episode, viewers are taken to the quiet oceanside town and meet a family on their most devastating day. Co-creator Liz Hannah said it was very important to explore the family and their stories.

“In Jesse’s article, he painted such a portrait of dimensionality for these people and that’s something that we hadn’t really seen yet,” said Hannah. “There was such a gray area that existed for everyone, and I think it wasn’t just Michelle that was the attraction…But it was also Conrad hadn’t really ever been depicted, his story hadn’t been told. Lynn’s (Roy‘s mother) story hadn’t necessarily been told. So I think being able to have the opportunity to look at the whole story, the relationships and the characters, that was the real opportunity here. We felt a real sense of responsibility doing that.”

Moreover, Hannah hopes that viewers will go in without expectations. “Michelle was tried and convicted, and went to prison, and we aren’t here to re-litigate any of that. I hope people go in with that, I hope they go in with open eyes and allow themselves to experience the story for the first time. Specifically we also really want to be apart of the conversation about de-stigmatizing mental health,” said Hannah.

The series will explore the family’s grief, confusion and anger, as they try to find answers about Roy‘s death. Viewers will explore the imitate relationship between Roy and Carter, that existed mostly through text and a few in person meetings. The Girl from Plainville also explores the impacts pop culture, mental health and other outside influences that were revealed at trial.

The first three episodes of The Girl from Plainville are now streaming on Hulu, you can check out the trailer and poster below. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for all things horror, sci-fi, fantasy and everything in between.