Irish-born actress Hannah Rose May, who once sought her acting fortunes in Hollywood, has masterfully redirected her creative energies to become a burgeoning force in the horror comic book genre, a journey culminating in the announcement of her new original series, Fatal Fest, set to debut under IDW’s horror imprint, IDW Dark. This latest venture solidifies May’s unexpected, yet remarkably successful, pivot from performing in front of the camera to crafting chilling narratives for sequential art, a career trajectory she admits has surprised even herself.
From Screen Aspirations to Scripting Nightmares: Hannah Rose May’s Hollywood Odyssey
Hannah Rose May’s initial path to the entertainment industry mirrored that of countless aspiring artists from around the globe: the magnetic pull of Hollywood. Growing up in Ireland, the conventional wisdom dictated that success as an actress necessitated a move to Los Angeles. May heeded this advice, relocating to the City of Angels in the late 2010s, eager to pursue her cinematic dreams. Her early career saw her securing roles in comedic television series such as HBO’s Ballers, which offered a glimpse into the high-stakes world of professional football, and CBS’s Ghosts, a popular supernatural comedy. These experiences provided valuable insights into the mechanics of television production and the nuances of performance.
Ironically, as May sought her big break in Hollywood, her native Ireland was simultaneously undergoing a significant renaissance in its own screen industry. Driven by attractive tax incentives, a wealth of diverse landscapes, and a burgeoning pool of skilled local talent, Ireland rapidly transformed into a coveted production hub for major international studios. This period saw a surge in both domestic and foreign film and television projects being shot across the Emerald Isle, creating a vibrant ecosystem that, in a twist of fate, began to rival the very industry May had left to join. This parallel development underscored a broader shift in the global entertainment landscape, where creative opportunities were decentralizing and new centers of production were emerging, challenging the long-held notion of Hollywood as the singular gateway to success.
The Pandemic Pivot: A Catalyst for Creative Reinvention
The mid-2020s brought an unprecedented halt to the global entertainment industry with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Production shutdowns, casting freezes, and widespread uncertainty left many creative professionals, including May, in a state of professional limbo. For an actress accustomed to the dynamic, collaborative environment of a set, this period of enforced isolation proved to be a crucible for introspection and reinvention. As May herself recounted, "I was left with my own thoughts. It was either I download TikTok or save my sanity and do something I had always wanted but had been afraid." This stark choice illuminated a profound desire for creative autonomy, a yearning to exert control over her artistic output rather than remaining "at the disposal of the desires of producers or filmmakers of companies."
This period became a fertile ground for May to explore a latent passion: writing. The pandemic, while devastating in many respects, inadvertently provided the quiet space and mental bandwidth necessary for her to delve into long-held storytelling ideas. It was a strategic move, not just a creative whim; by developing her own intellectual property (IP), she was forging a path to greater agency in an industry often characterized by its capricious nature. This shift from interpreting scripts to generating them marked a pivotal turning point, allowing her to channel her understanding of character and narrative, honed through years of acting, into a new medium.
Forging a Path in Horror Comics: The "Exorcism" Universe and Beyond
May’s foray into professional writing began with Rogues Gallery, a miniseries published by Image Comics in 2022. This inaugural title tackled the timely and often unsettling theme of toxic fandom, demonstrating her immediate inclination toward stories that explore darker, more complex societal undercurrents. However, it was her subsequent work, Exorcism at 1600 Penn, a supernatural thriller set within the iconic confines of the White House, that truly catapulted her into the spotlight. Released in 2024, the comic quickly became an unexpected bestseller, garnering critical acclaim and a dedicated readership. Its success confirmed May’s instincts and solidified her commitment to horror as her primary genre. The immediate and widespread appeal of Exorcism at 1600 Penn underscored the enduring popularity of the horror genre, which consistently performs well across various media, from independent films to blockbuster adaptations.
The success of Exorcism at 1600 Penn was not merely a triumph for an emerging writer; it was a testament to the growing significance of original comic book IP in Hollywood. The series’ innovative premise and strong narrative immediately attracted industry attention, leading to a feature film adaptation currently in development at Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, two of the most influential names in contemporary horror production. This partnership with powerhouses like Blumhouse, known for cultivating high-concept, low-budget horror hits, further validated May’s creative vision and the commercial viability of her work. The "Exorcism At" universe expanded with The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace, showcasing May’s ability to inject her unique brand of supernatural terror into iconic, real-world settings, thereby establishing a distinctive voice within the genre.
Beyond her own original creations, May has also contributed to established comic book franchises. She penned a Harley Quinn story for DC Comics, demonstrating her versatility and ability to engage with beloved characters. Furthermore, she contributed to Smile: For the Camera, a comic based on Parker Finn’s critically acclaimed Smile horror film franchise, which further cemented her presence in the horror landscape and highlighted the symbiotic relationship between film and comic book storytelling in expanding cinematic universes.
Introducing Fatal Fest: A Glimpse into Hollywood’s Dark Underbelly
Building on her impressive track record, Hannah Rose May is now set to launch Fatal Fest, a new original five-issue mini-series with IDW Dark, illustrated by Andrea Scalmazzi. The series, slated for release later this year, promises to be a visceral exploration of the entertainment industry’s darker side, infused with May’s characteristic blend of horror and social commentary. She describes Fatal Fest as a potent concoction, comparing it to "Saw and Squid Game twisted together in a Hollywood setting." This analogy immediately conjures images of deadly games, moral compromises, and the brutal consequences of ambition, all set against the glamorous yet cutthroat backdrop of Tinseltown.
The narrative of Fatal Fest revolves around six ambitious emerging horror filmmakers. They receive an exclusive invitation to compete at Fatal Fest, a mysterious and highly secretive film festival orchestrated by the reclusive horror maestro Frank Finch and his formidable production empire, Fatal Films. What initially appears to be a career-making opportunity quickly devolves into a terrifying ordeal. The filmmakers soon discover that Finch’s festival is far from ordinary; it operates under one chilling, immutable rule: "to create true fear, you must experience it." This sadistic philosophy forces the contestants into a desperate struggle for survival, where winning the Fatal Fest demands a willingness to commit unimaginable acts, including murder. The series is poised to be a harrowing critique of the entertainment industry’s relentless pursuit of authenticity and spectacle, pushing its characters to their psychological and moral limits.
May candidly acknowledges the thematic consistency across her work, stating, "A common denominator in my work is people trying to survive systems trying to consume them. Hollywood is one of those systems that consumes a lot of people." This perspective informs the very core of Fatal Fest, using the extreme premise of a deadly film festival as a metaphor for the real-life pressures, exploitation, and moral compromises often faced by those striving for success in Hollywood. The character of Frank Finch, the enigmatic horror producer, is not based on any single individual, though May playfully dismissed comparisons to contemporary figures like Jason Blum. Instead, she suggested that if any historical figure in horror cinema could embody Finch’s legacy, it would be the late, legendary filmmaker Wes Craven, known for his groundbreaking contributions to the genre with classics such as A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream. Craven’s ability to blend psychological terror with sharp social commentary and meta-narratives aligns perfectly with the intellectual depth May aims for in her work.
The Craft of Storytelling: Actor’s Insight into Writing
One of the most compelling aspects of Hannah Rose May’s career is the synergistic relationship between her acting background and her writing craft. She firmly believes that her experiences as an actress profoundly enhance her abilities as a writer. "My work as an actress makes me a better writer as it gives her approach a more character-based understanding," she explains. This perspective is crucial; actors spend their careers dissecting characters, understanding their motivations, fears, and desires, and embodying their emotional landscapes. This deep immersion in character psychology provides May with an invaluable toolkit for crafting believable, multi-dimensional figures in her comics, ensuring that even in the most fantastical or terrifying scenarios, her characters remain grounded and relatable.
Conversely, May also contends that her writing endeavors have enriched her acting performances, deepening her understanding of storytelling as a whole. By engaging with the full arc of a narrative—from conception to execution—she gains a more comprehensive appreciation for structural integrity, thematic development, and pacing. This holistic understanding allows her to approach roles with a more informed perspective, recognizing how her character fits into the broader narrative tapestry and how her performance can best serve the story’s overarching themes. This dual perspective provides May with a unique advantage, bridging the often-separate worlds of script creation and performance.
The Evolving Landscape of IP and Indie Success
Hannah Rose May’s journey is illustrative of several significant trends shaping the contemporary entertainment industry. Firstly, the rise of original comic book IP as a primary source for film and television adaptations continues unabated. In an era of content proliferation, studios are constantly seeking proven concepts with built-in fan bases and distinct visual aesthetics. Comics, with their rich storytelling, character development, and often visually striking art, offer a fertile ground for adaptation, providing a clear blueprint for screen translation. The independent success of May’s Exorcism series, and its subsequent development deal with Blumhouse, is a prime example of this pipeline in action, demonstrating that compelling narratives, regardless of their initial medium, will find their way to broader audiences.
Secondly, the horror genre itself has experienced a renaissance, evolving beyond jump scares to encompass a wide range of sub-genres that explore psychological terror, social commentary, and existential dread. Films like Saw and series like Squid Game, which May references as influences for Fatal Fest, represent this evolution, utilizing extreme premises to critique societal failings and human nature. This shift has broadened the appeal of horror, attracting both genre enthusiasts and mainstream audiences seeking thought-provoking narratives. May’s work aligns perfectly with this trend, using the genre as a vehicle to explore complex themes like ambition, survival, and the corrosive nature of systemic pressures within Hollywood.
IDW senior group editor Heather Antos’s statement to THR regarding Fatal Fest underscores the perceived quality and relevance of May’s new series: "Hannah and Andrea have created a world that feels equal parts Hollywood Horror satire, psychological thriller and pure nightmare fuel. It’s bold, bloody, incredibly clever, and completely unapologetic in its vision." This strong endorsement highlights the industry’s recognition of May’s distinctive voice and the project’s potential to resonate with a diverse audience, from hardcore horror fans to those interested in sharp social critique.
Industry Perspectives and Anticipation
The collaboration between Hannah Rose May, artist Andrea Scalmazzi, and IDW Dark represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and industry expertise. IDW, a prominent publisher in the comic book industry, has a strong track record with horror titles and a clear understanding of how to cultivate new IP. Their dedicated IDW Dark imprint signifies a commitment to pushing the boundaries of the horror genre within the comic book medium. By partnering with a rising star like May, who has already demonstrated an ability to generate critically acclaimed and commercially successful original horror content, IDW is poised to tap into a growing market for sophisticated, character-driven horror narratives.
The anticipation surrounding Fatal Fest is palpable, particularly within the comic book community and the broader horror fandom. The series is not just another horror comic; it’s a narrative that promises to hold a mirror up to the very industry that May once sought to conquer as an actress. This meta-narrative layer adds an intellectual depth that distinguishes Fatal Fest from many conventional genre offerings, inviting readers to consider the real-world implications of its fictional terrors.
Looking Ahead: San Diego Comic-Con and Future Endeavors
The official unveiling of more details about Fatal Fest is slated for San Diego Comic-Con in July, a premier event for comic book enthusiasts, creators, and industry professionals. May is scheduled to participate in several panels at the convention, including one specifically dedicated to actors who have successfully transitioned into comic book writing. This panel appearance underscores her unique position within the industry, serving as an inspiration and a testament to the diverse pathways available for creative expression. Comic-Con provides an unparalleled platform for May and IDW Dark to generate further buzz, engage with fans, and offer deeper insights into the world of Fatal Fest.
Hannah Rose May’s career trajectory is a compelling narrative of adaptation, resilience, and creative triumph. Her journey from an aspiring actress in Ireland, moving to Hollywood in pursuit of traditional screen roles, to becoming a celebrated horror comic book writer with her own intellectual property attracting major studio attention, offers a powerful lesson in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. She exemplifies the modern creative professional who, faced with challenges and unforeseen opportunities, embraces new mediums to tell the stories only they can tell. With Fatal Fest, May is not only cementing her status as a significant voice in horror but also offering a searing, fictionalized look at the very system she once sought to join, proving that sometimes, the most terrifying stories are those closest to reality. The comic’s striking cover for its first issue, now available for public viewing, provides a tantalizing glimpse into the grim world May and Scalmazzi have crafted.
