Honestly, it’s a bit of a tragedy how some shows just slip through the cracks. You have Hugh Laurie—fresh off his massive success as Gregory House—and a gritty, atmospheric San Francisco setting that feels like it’s dripping with fog and secrets. Yet, the chance series on hulu remains one of those "if you know, you know" gems that never quite reached the cultural fever pitch of Breaking Bad or Ozark.
It’s dark. It’s messy.
The show, based on the novel by Kem Nunn, doesn't try to be a comfortable medical procedural. If you go in expecting House 2.0, you’re going to be very confused. Dr. Eldon Chance isn’t a snarky genius saving lives with a whiteboard. He’s a forensic neuropsychiatrist who is basically drowning in his own mid-life crisis, caught between a messy divorce and a professional life where he evaluates people who are beyond help.
Then he meets Jaclyn Blackstone. Everything breaks.
What is the Chance series on Hulu actually about?
At its core, the show is a neo-noir psychological thriller. It ran for two seasons between 2016 and 2017. The plot kicks off when Eldon Chance (Laurie) gets a little too involved with a patient played by Gretchen Mol. She’s got a dissociative identity disorder, or at least it seems that way, and a terrifyingly abusive husband who happens to be a high-ranking, corrupt Oakland police officer.
It sounds like a cliché, right? The "damsel in distress" and the "doctor with a savior complex."
But the show subverts that quickly. Chance isn't a hero. He’s a guy who makes increasingly terrible decisions because he’s bored, lonely, and desperate to feel some kind of agency in a world that feels stagnant. He’s joined by a character named Darius "D" Pringle, played by Ethan Suplee. If you only remember Suplee from My Name Is Earl, his performance here will haunt you. He is a massive, soft-spoken, yet incredibly violent blacksmith/mercenary who becomes Chance’s guide into a world of street justice and bone-breaking.
The chemistry between Laurie and Suplee is the actual engine of the series. It’s this weird, philosophical bromance where they debate the nature of violence while prepping for a home invasion.
Why people missed it the first time around
Hulu was in a weird spot in 2016. They were just starting to flex their original programming muscles, and The Handmaid’s Tale hadn't quite turned them into a prestige juggernaut yet. Chance was expensive, looked like a movie, and had a slow-burn pace that demanded a lot from the viewer.
It’s not a "background noise" show.
If you look away to check your phone, you’ll miss the subtle shift in Eldon’s psyche. The show spends a lot of time on neuropsychiatry—real medical concepts about how brain trauma changes personality. It asks a terrifying question: Can you actually change who you are, or are you just a slave to your frontal lobe?
The gritty reality of the San Francisco setting
Most shows film San Francisco like a postcard. They show the Painted Ladies, the Bridge, and the trolley cars. The chance series on hulu shows the San Francisco that locals actually see. The gray skies. The grime. The claustrophobic feeling of the Tenderloin.
It uses the city as a mirror for Eldon’s mind.
The cinematography is helmed by folks like Terry Stacey, and it feels heavy. There’s a specific scene in Season 1 where Eldon is just driving, and the way the light hits the dashboard makes the whole world feel like it’s closing in on him. That’s the vibe of the entire show. It’s oppressive in a way that makes the bursts of violence feel like a relief.
Season 1 vs. Season 2: A shift in tone
Season 1 is a tight, paranoid thriller about a man falling down a rabbit hole. It’s about the affair with Jaclyn and the looming threat of her husband, Raymond Blackstone. It’s very much a "man in over his head" story.
Season 2, however, shifts gears.
It becomes more of a vigilante procedural, but a smart one. Chance and D start hunting down predators that the legal system can't touch. It introduces Paul Schneider as a tech billionaire with some seriously dark impulses. The second season actually has a higher rating on several review platforms because it leans into the weird partnership between the doctor and the warrior.
It’s a shame we never got a third season. The way Season 2 ends leaves Eldon in a place that is morally gray at best and straight-up villainous at worst.
Is it worth the watch in 2026?
Absolutely. Honestly, the themes of the chance series on hulu feel more relevant now than they did eight years ago. We’re living in an era where everyone feels like the systems around them are broken. Seeing a mild-mannered doctor decide to "fix" things by stepping outside the law resonates differently today.
Hugh Laurie’s performance is a masterclass in subtlety. You can see the exact moment when he stops being a doctor and starts being a predator. It’s in the eyes.
Also, Ethan Suplee deserves all the awards for D. He brings a level of zen-like calm to a character who could have just been a mindless thug. He quotes philosophy while sharpening a tactical knife. It’s brilliant.
A few things to keep in mind before you binge:
- The pacing is deliberate. Don't expect an explosion every ten minutes. It’s a character study first.
- It’s violent. Not in a "cartoonish" way, but in a "this is what it actually looks like when a human gets hit with a pipe" way.
- The medical stuff is real. Kem Nunn, the author of the source material, did his homework. The discussions about brain lesions and personality shifts are grounded in actual science.
Finding the Chance series on Hulu today
If you’re looking for it, just search "Chance" on the Hulu app. Both seasons—20 episodes total—are there. It’s a manageable binge. You can knock it out in a weekend if you’re dedicated.
The show was produced by Fox 21 Television Studios, and while there were rumors of it being shopped elsewhere after Hulu canceled it, nothing ever materialized. That’s fine, though. The 20 episodes we have tell a pretty complete, albeit dark, story about a man’s descent into his own shadow.
It’s the kind of show that stays with you. You’ll find yourself thinking about the "nature of the beast" long after the credits roll.
If you like Mr. Robot, Mindhunter, or The Killing, this is exactly in your wheelhouse. It’s smart, it’s mean, and it doesn't hold your hand.
Final takeaways for new viewers
Start with the pilot and give it three episodes. The first episode sets the mood, but the third episode is where the hook really sinks in. Watch for the transition in Eldon’s wardrobe and posture; it’s a subtle bit of acting from Laurie that shows his transformation.
Pay attention to D’s "lessons." Most of the tactical advice he gives Eldon is actually based on real-world situational awareness and combat psychology. It adds a layer of realism that most Hollywood thrillers ignore.
Finally, don't look for a happy ending. This isn't that kind of show. It’s a noir. In noir, nobody really wins; they just survive.
Actionable next steps
- Check your subscription: Ensure your Hulu plan is active, as "Chance" is a Hulu Original and rarely appears on other platforms like Netflix or Prime.
- Set the mood: This is a "lights off, phone away" series. The sound design and cinematography are half the experience.
- Read the book: If you finish the series and want more, pick up Kem Nunn’s novel Chance. It offers even more internal monologue for Eldon that helps explain his more questionable choices.
- Follow the cast: If you enjoy Ethan Suplee’s transformation, check out his podcast American Glutton, where he talks about his physical journey, which adds another layer of appreciation for his role as D.
The chance series on hulu is a rare bird: a smart, adult thriller that treats its audience like they have a brain. It’s time it got the second life it deserves on your watchlist.