Hollywood’s elite — individuals used to hefty eight-figure paychecks and lavish film locations — are now placing their bets on something much more compact: microdramas.

Microdramas are brief, scripted series meant for viewing on mobile devices. Episodes usually last just a few minutes and often incorporate soap opera-like narratives, intense plot twists, and cliffhangers crafted to keep audiences engaged and frequently paying for subsequent episodes.

This format gained popularity in China before rapidly expanding worldwide. Omdia anticipates that revenue generated by microdramas in the U.S. will hit $1.5 billion this year. An increasing number of applications have surfaced to take advantage of this trend, including ReelShort and DramaBox, with TikTok also joining the arena by launching its PineDrama app earlier this year.

Hollywood talent is now beginning to step in, either by featuring in fresh series, starting their own ventures, or funding platforms.

This shift is understandable. Film studios seek more economical and quicker methods to generate content, and numerous talents and crew are finding themselves out of work. Concurrently, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are capturing a larger share of viewers’ focus, making microdramas an increasingly appealing sector within the entertainment field.

Here are some renowned personalities who are taking advantage of the microdrama phenomenon.

James Franco

The most recent notable Hollywood figure to enter this domain is James Franco, who stars in the series “Love, Lies & Frank,” available for streaming exclusively on Shortical.

Franco portrays the chief executive of an advertising firm who becomes embroiled in crime and werewolf-related chaos. The concept appears to follow a familiar structure typical of microdramas, filled with excessively dramatic sequences and a secret romance.

This project stands out as one of the pioneers produced under the new SAG-AFTRA verticals agreement, a union contract aimed specifically at low-budget microdramas. It offers an initial insight into how this format can open new avenues for actors and other talent in Hollywood.

Additionally, Franco’s participation has drawn interest for another reason: this venture signifies his attempt at a comeback after facing sexual misconduct allegations and a legal resolution in 2021. A review from Variety of the show was not particularly favorable, stating that the actor “seems to be sleepwalking through his lines.”

What motivated Franco to take on a microdrama role remains uncertain, yet his casting is still noteworthy. It is uncommon to see a prominent actor, who has earned millions and starred in major box office hits, take the lead in a small series intended for mobile viewing.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae stands out as a natural talent to welcome the microdrama surge. She was the creator and star of the 2011 web series “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl,” which propelled her career forward.

In May, Issa Rae’s company Hoorae Media collaborated with TikTok’s new PineDrama app to unveil “Screen Time,” a suspenseful tale centered on a double date that takes a sinister turn when an unidentified individual takes control of the television and forces the couples to face their secrets.

The series quickly emerged as a sensation, racking up nearly 75 million views within its first week and becoming the leading vertical series on TikTok and PineDrama at that moment. It eventually surpassed 150 million views.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

“Modern Family” actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson is also entering the field with “Theater Kids Vs. Zombies,” an upcoming musical comedy for the vertical storytelling platform aTwist.

The concept aligns closely with what the title suggests: a group of theater students discovers their high school overrun by zombies and realizes that their best chance of survival involves staging a musical. 

Ferguson’s venture could be significant, as this series seems to diverge from the typical romance and soap-opera conventions dominating microdramas, instead embracing comedy and theater culture.

Taye Diggs

Taye Diggs not only featured in a microdrama but is also becoming more heavily invested in the field.

In January, Diggs was announced as the star and executive producer of “Off Limits & All Mine” for the platform CandyJar. He portrays a widowed entrepreneur who gets entangled in a secret romance with his best friend’s grown daughter.

More significantly, Diggs has established his own mobile-first vertical storytelling platform, Microhouse Films, aimed at granting filmmakers better control over the production and monetization of their works. The platform’s inaugural launch included eight projects, one of which is “Tides of Temptation,” a series developed in partnership with Lifetime.

This step is important because instead of merely joining the microdrama trend, Diggs is now contributing to shaping the industry itself.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian’s participation showcases another avenue through which celebrities are engaging in the industry. Although she has yet to star in a microdrama, she has already invested in the sector by putting her money behind GammaTime, alongside her mother, Kris Jenner, and other angel investors.