Plot Synopsis

THE ACT is a seasonal anthology series that tells startling, stranger-than-fiction true crime stories. The first season, based on the Michelle Dean's article, "Dee Dee Wanted Her Daughter To Be Sick, Gypsy Wanted Her Mom To Be Murdered," follows Gypsy Blanchard, a girl trying to escape the toxic relationship she has with her overprotective and doting mother, Dee Dee. Gypsy's quest for independence opens a Pandora's box of secrets, one that ultimately leads to murder. The story opens with Dee Dee and Gypsy arriving in a new neighborhood, where Gypsy feels lonely due to a barrage of medical issues and eager to make friends. But their new neighbors can be nosy, and Dee Dee and Gypsy have secrets to hide. Soon after, Dee Dee is on a high, because Gypsy will be given the "Child of the Year Award," which makes Dee Dee feel like Mother of the Year. But before the big event, Gypsy has a dental emergency that gets the attention of a skeptical doctor who could expose Dee Dee's secrets. THE ACT premiered on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 3:01am ET/12:01am PT, with Hulu releasing the first two episodes, with additional episodes available on subsequent Wednesdays:

"Two Wolverines" (Streams March 27): Dee Dee makes Gypsy play dress up for a costume convention, where they each attract charming men who could dangerously complicate their insular relationship. And Gypsy is starting to question the lies her mother tells her -- especially about how old she really is.

"Stay Inside" (fka "The Tower") (Streams April 3): Gypsy's getting older and Dee Dee is forced to new legal maneuvers to keep control of her "little girl." But Dee Dee's limited by her own health problems, and Gypsy goes to greater lengths than ever to connect with men and experience a sexual awakening.

"Plan B" (Streams April 10): Gypsy and Nick scheme to meet in person and hope to win Dee Dee's approval, but when their plan goes disastrously wrong, they'll be pushed to make an extreme choice in order to be together.

"A Whole New World" (Streams April 17): While Gypsy and Nick are on the run, flashbacks to a much younger Dee Dee reveal how trauma with her own mother set her up for conflict with Gypsy.

"Bonnie & Clyde" (Streams April 24): Gypsy is excited to start over with Nick in Wisconsin, but their new life doesn't match the happily-ever-after she imagined, and her anxiety worsens as past transgressions begin to catch up with them.

"Free" (Streams May 1): Gypsy fights for her life by defending her actions, while Mel and Lacey realize that behind closed doors things were not always as they seemed.