{
  "id": 4225168,
  "title": "Hollywood celebs are getting into microdrama apps",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/hollywood-celebs-are-getting-into-microdrama-apps",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-29T16:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/29/hollywood-celebs-are-getting-into-microdrama-apps/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hollywood A-listers are turning their attention to microdramas, short, scripted series designed for mobile viewing. These bite-sized dramas, often featuring soap opera-style plots and cliffhangers, are gaining popularity globally, with the U.S. microdrama market projected to reach $1.5 billion this year. As traditional movie studios seek more efficient and affordable content, a wave of talent and investors are jumping into the microdrama market. James Franco, for instance, stars in \"Love, Lies & Frank,\" a microseries produced under SAG-AFTRA's new verticals agreement, an arrangement specifically tailored for low-budget microdramas. Issa Rae, a trailblazer in the industry, capitalized on her past success with \"The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl\" to launch \"Screen Time\" on TikTok's PineDrama app. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, known for \"Modern Family,\" is also exploring the microdrama space with \"Theater Kids Vs. Zombies,\" a musical comedy aimed at theater enthusiasts. Taye Diggs, who starred in a microdrama titled \"Off Limits & All Mine,\" has taken a more hands-on approach, launching his own vertical storytelling platform, Microhouse Films. While Kim Kardashian hasn't starred in a microdrama yet, she has invested in the burgeoning market, showing her confidence in the format's potential.",
  "summary": "Several Hollywood celebs are ditching the massive eight-figure checks and exotic movie sets for a rising format: microdramas.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hollywood stars are exploring microdrama apps for mobile viewing.",
    "James Franco stars in SAG-AFTRA's new verticals agreement microseries.",
    "Issa Rae launches Screen Time on TikTok's PineDrama app."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}