Charlize Theron to produce live-action adaptation of Webtoon 'The Mafia Nanny' for Hulu
Theron is developing an English-language live-action series based on the South Korean Webtoon about a nanny with mob ties. The project is one of the first live-action English adaptations from the platform, with Disney having invested in Webtoon. The show is in early development.
The original comic was created by the creative team of sh00, Violet Matter, and roousuu, and its premise blends childcare with organized crime—a young academy-trained nanny finds her first elite assignment pulling her back into her family's mob connections. The story's serialized, trope-heavy structure is typical of the platform's most popular titles, which rely on weekly cliffhangers and romantic tension to keep readers engaged.
Disney's small stake in Webtoon, acquired last year, appears designed to fast-track properties like this one into Western development. This project marks an early attempt at a live-action English-language adaptation from the platform, though Korean-language adaptations have already found their way to Hulu, including The Remarried Empress arriving in November. Max Gill is attached as writer, with Theron's production company executive producing; whether Theron herself will appear on screen remains unconfirmed.
This adaptation signals how streaming platforms are increasingly mining international digital comics for mainstream Western audiences, potentially expanding the reach of Korean webtoon storytelling beyond its existing fanbase. If successful, it could open doors for more cross-cultural adaptations, introducing American viewers to narrative conventions popular in Asian serialized media. The project may also benefit Theron's production company by diversifying its portfolio, while giving Hulu a property with a built-in global readership that could translate into subscriber interest.