Hollywood’s finest are now betting on something much smaller: microdramas. These short, scripted series, typically just a few minutes long, are designed to be watched on mobile phones. With soap opera-style plots and dramatic twists, they’re quickly gaining traction, especially in China, where revenue is projected to hit $1.5 billion this year. TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are capturing an ever-larger share of viewers’ attention, turning microdramas into an increasingly attractive part of the entertainment business.

Major names like James Franco, Issa Rae, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Taye Diggs and Kim Kardashian are all getting involved. Franco stars in 'Love, Lies & Frank,' a microseries produced under SAG-AFTRA's new verticals agreement, which could open up new opportunities for actors and crew. Rae’s 'Screen Time' on PineDrama became a breakout hit in its first week, with over 150 million views. Diggs has also launched his own mobile-first platform, Microhouse Films, with a series created in collaboration with Lifetime.

Despite the growing popularity of microdramas, not all critics are impressed. Variety’s review of Franco’s show was not glowing, with the magazine writing that he 'appears to be sleepwalking through his lines.' Nevertheless, his casting is still notable given the rarity of major actors starring in small series built for mobile screens. With Hollywood talent now getting involved, the future of microdramas looks bright and, well, dramatic.