EXCLUSIVE: Another self-published book is making the leap to the screen: Hulu is developing a drama series based on The Poison Daughter, Sheila Masterson‘s dark enemies-to-lovers romantasy novel.
Masterson is set to executive produce the adaptation, which is currently looking for a writer. 20th Television is the studio.
In The Poison Daughter, every person Harlow Carrenwell kisses dies immediately, and that’s the way she likes it. The poison-lipped youngest daughter of Lunameade’s magical founding family has used her power to annihilate their opposition. Until one night Harlow kisses a mark and he doesn’t die. Worse, her invincible partner in passion is her new betrothed, Henry Havenwood, and now he knows about her double life.
Self-published in October 2025, the standalone The Poison Daughter went viral, selling more than 250,000 copies and hitting the USA Today Bestseller list three times before it was acquired by Slowburn in April 2026. The hardcover and audiobook will publish in the U.S. and UK on August 18, 2026, with the novel also getting translated into 20 languages.
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The Poison Daughter is looking to capitalize on romantasy’s growing popularity. Hulu and 20th TV previously teamed to adapt arguably the biggest title in the genre, Sarah J. Maas’ bestselling book series A Court of Thorns and Roses, as a drama series with Outlander creator Ron Moore. After several years of development, the project ultimately didn’t move forward.
In May, Prime Video greenlighted a series based on another top romantasy book series, Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing. Sony Pictures Television has been developing a series adaptation of Jennifer L. Armentrout‘s From Blood and Ash, and Devney Perry’s Shield of Sparrows is in the works as a movie at Amazon MGM Studios.
The Poison Daughter is looking to join the list of self-published books that have become hit movies or TV series, including Andy Weir’s The Martian, Hugh Howey’s Silo, Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper, E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey as well as several Wattpad titles, Mercedes Ron’s The Culpables series, Ali Novak’s My Life with the Walter Boys, Beth Reekles’ The Kissing Booth and Anna Todd’s After series.
Masterson’s other self-published works include the gothic fantasy romance Song of the Dark Wood, the romantasy quartet The Lost God series, and its standalone spinoff, A Legacy of Stars. She is repped by CAA and Trellis Literary Management.
