Jenny Slate lands key role opposite Dylan O’Brien in Hulu pilot ‘Lex’ about murder, fame and conspiracy

Slate will play Holly, a fired assistant who becomes entangled in dangerous events surrounding ‘Lex’

Jenny Slate is joining Dylan O’Brien in Hulu comedy pilot Lex, taking on the female lead in a story that combines murder, reality television, conspiracy and an unlikely partnership.

According to Deadline, Slate has been cast as Holly, the recently fired personal assistant of a murdered technology CEO. Her character becomes caught up in the same global conspiracy that forces former reality star Lex, played by O’Brien, into hiding after he accidentally captures a murder in the background of a $20 Cameo video.

Written by Sean Clements, Lex centres on Lex, a disgraced former reality television personality whose accidental recording thrusts him into a dangerous situation. What begins with an unexpected glimpse of a killing quickly develops into an international conspiracy, leaving Lex to fight for his survival while attempting to uncover what is really happening.

The unusual premise also gives the series a comedic angle through Lex’s previous experience in reality television. His understanding of social manipulation and the pressures of unscripted fame becomes useful when he is forced to deal with people who may be far more dangerous than the personalities he encountered on television.

Slate’s Holly is set to become an important part of that journey. After losing her job working for the technology executive, she is pulled into the conspiracy alongside Lex. Her organisational abilities become valuable as the pair attempt to clear their names and understand the circumstances surrounding the murder. Holly also has an unexpected advantage, with knowledge of firearms that she apparently acquired somewhere along the way.

The casting reunites Hulu with Slate following her Emmy nominated performance in FX comedy series Dying for Sex, which streams on Hulu. Her recent work also includes the independent feature Carousel, in which she stars alongside Chris Pine. The film premiered at Sundance earlier in 2026.

Slate has built a varied career across live action comedy, animation and independent cinema. She starred in A24 film Obvious Child and co created, co wrote and voiced Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. She is also attached to DreamWorks Animation project Forgotten Island, where she will lend her voice.