Merman‘s latest Hulu project, a half-hour dramedy in development with 20th Television, will be set in the world of technology and dating and is based on The New Yorker Magazine short story ‘Out There’ by Kate Folk.

Exploring a world where technology has been weaponized to exploit our deepest fears and desires, it will look at intimacy, modern dating and how much we’d be willing to sacrifice for a genuine connection.

Folk is writing in conjunction with Sharon Horgan, with Modern Family’s Jason Winer joining as Exec Producer. Kira Carstensen and Clelia Mountford will executive produce for Merman and Jon Radler will executive produce for Small Dog Picture Company.

Folk has said of her story, which was published in March

“My work often explores the notion of the uncanny and how technology, especially in the form of mediated communication and artificial intelligence, can tap into our deepest societal and personal anxieties.”

Photograph of Kate by Andria Lo.