“UnREAL” is relocating for its fourth season. Lifetime’s drama about the behind-the-scenes machinations at a “Bachelor”-esque reality show will get a first-run on Hulu for Season 4, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. It’s unclear whether “UnREAL” will also air on Lifetime after its Hulu bow.
The new first-run deal came about when Hulu was securing the SVOD rights for Seasons 3 and 4. “UnREAL” is one of the more popular series available on the streamer, so “Hulu is said to have paid producers A+E Studios a larger sum than normal,” the source notes. The Hulu first-run will also help the series generate additional revenue. (While “UnREAL” has been a mainstay of the zeitgeist since its 2015 debut, it isn’t a ratings hit.)
Hulu has not announced a premiere date for Season 4 yet, but it’s expected to be later in 2018, and THR is hinting that it will be “UnREAL’s” last. If Season 4 does air on Lifetime following its Hulu run, it likely won’t be until 2019. Per showrunner Stacy Rukeyser, the fourth outing will center on “Everlasting” spin-off “Everlasting All Stars,” which will see former contestants and suitors reuniting a la “Bachelor in Paradise.”
“UnREAL” was created by Marti Noxon and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro and inspired by Shapiro’s short film “Sequin Raze.” Noxon served as showrunner during the first season, Carol Barbee the second, and Rukeyser the third and fourth.
Stars Shiri Appleby and Constance Zimmer have both directed eps of the Peabody Award-winning series.
Season 3 wrapped up in April but does not have a Hulu release date yet. Seasons 1 and 2 of “UnREAL” are available on the streamer.