Buyer Database · Production Company · Updated
Hello Sunshine
Hello Sunshine is a scripted-focused production company navigating a structural reset, shedding its unscripted division while doubling down on literary IP and women-led drama for major streamers and networks.
Current mandate
Hello Sunshine occupies a distinctive lane in the scripted landscape: a literary-IP-first production company whose competitive advantage is direct pipeline access to Reese's Book Club, a culturally validated source of pre-sold, audience-tested material. The company favors drama with women-led narratives, adapting book-club titles and original stories for premium streamers and broadcast networks including Apple TV+, Hulu, Netflix, and HBO. What separates Hello Sunshine from generalist drama producers is the institutional relationship between its development slate and a book-selection engine that has placed more than 90 titles on the New York Times Best Seller list since 2017. That pre-existing fan base reduces the cold-start risk that makes unproven IP a harder sell in the current market.
The company is in active transition. CEO Sarah Harden stepped down after seven years and has been replaced by Maureen Polo, previously head of direct-to-consumer. Hello Sunshine is reportedly set to shutter its unscripted division; head of unscripted Sara Rea is departing after five years to found a new production company that will continue to produce projects with Hello Sunshine. Despite that structural contraction, the company has stated it will remain active in the scripted space. Parent company Candle Media reorganized its live-action assets under the Candle Studios banner, consolidating business affairs, legal affairs, production services, facilities, and equipment across Hello Sunshine, Exile Content, Faraway Road Productions, and Candle True Stories. In June, Hello Sunshine also launched Sunnie, a Gen Z-focused media, experiential, and lifestyle brand, signaling an appetite to extend the Hello Sunshine identity beyond traditional production.
Writers and rights holders with scripted literary material, particularly character-driven drama with a female perspective, represent the clearest fit. The most direct access pathway runs through the Reese's Book Club selection process for published or soon-to-publish authors, and through conventional scripted development submissions for screenwriters with original or optioned material. Given the unscripted wind-down, pitches in that format are unlikely to find traction at this time.
Signature peaks
- US$900M Candle Media Acquisition Price — Reported acquisition by Candle Media in mid-2021
- 17 Decision Makers Tracked — Active contacts across the organization
- 25 Activity Records (12mo) — Total tracked signals over the past 12 months
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- drama, literary adaptation, women-led stories
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- The clearest entry point for literary IP is the Reese's Book Club selection pipeline, which the company has used as a primary sourcing mechanism since 2017. For screenwriters, represented submissions through an agent, manager, or entertainment attorney are the standard pathway into scripted development. Unscripted pitches are not recommended given the reported closure of that division. Candle Studios' consolidated infrastructure means business affairs and initial inquiries may be handled across shared services rather than through a standalone Hello Sunshine development office.
- Deal structure
- Hello Sunshine structures projects as a producing entity, attaching as producer on adaptations of acquired literary IP and original scripted material. Deals are made with major streamers and networks including Apple TV+, Hulu, Netflix, and HBO. Acquisition prices on recent deals have not been disclosed. The company operates under Candle Media's Candle Studios banner, with shared business affairs, legal affairs, and production services across its sibling companies.
Recent productions and projects
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Polly Pocket
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"The Last Thing He Told Me" book rights
Market context
Reese's Book Club has selected 116 books since 2017, with more than 90 landing on the New York Times Best Seller list, indicating an active IP pipeline.
Growing demand for book-to-screen adaptations with pre-existing fan bases and culturally validated literary properties
Common questions about Hello Sunshine
Does Hello Sunshine accept unsolicited script submissions?
Hello Sunshine does not have a publicized open-door policy for unsolicited material. As a production company with an established literary pipeline through Reese's Book Club, the company primarily develops projects tied to known IP or through relationships with represented writers. Screenwriters are strongly advised to approach through a licensed agent, entertainment attorney, or manager. Cold submissions without representation are unlikely to receive consideration given standard industry practice and the company's curated development model.
How does Hello Sunshine attach to and develop projects?
Hello Sunshine develops projects primarily through two channels: adaptation of Reese's Book Club selections, which gives the company early access to culturally validated literary IP with pre-existing readerships, and original scripted development with writers and producers who bring character-driven, women-led drama. The company produces for major streamers and networks including Apple TV+, Hulu, Netflix, and HBO. Recent acquisitions include rights to properties such as "The Last Thing He Told Me" and Polly Pocket, reflecting a range from bestselling fiction to branded IP.
What is Hello Sunshine currently producing?
Hello Sunshine continues to produce scripted series for major streamers and networks including Apple TV+, Hulu, Netflix, and HBO. The company has recently acquired rights to "The Last Thing He Told Me" book rights and the Polly Pocket property. The unscripted division is reportedly being shuttered, with head of unscripted Sara Rea departing to found a new production company that will continue to produce projects with Hello Sunshine. The scripted slate remains the company's active focus going forward.
Who leads Hello Sunshine now?
Maureen Polo, previously head of direct-to-consumer at the company, has taken over as CEO following the departure of Sarah Harden, who held the role for seven years. Hello Sunshine operates under parent company Candle Media, which reorganized its live-action assets under the Candle Studios banner, consolidating shared services across Hello Sunshine, Exile Content, Faraway Road Productions, and Candle True Stories. Seventeen decision makers are currently tracked across the organization according to recent activity data.
How do you get a project to Hello Sunshine?
The most direct pathway for published or soon-to-publish authors is through the Reese's Book Club selection process, which has historically served as a primary IP sourcing mechanism for the company. For screenwriters with original or optioned scripted material, the conventional route is through representation. Given the reported closure of the unscripted division, pitches in that format are unlikely to find traction currently. The company's consolidation under Candle Studios may also mean that business affairs and development inquiries are routed through shared infrastructure.
Is Hello Sunshine still actively acquiring projects?
Yes, according to tracked activity data. Hello Sunshine recorded 25 total activity signals in the past 12 months, with the latest signal dated April 2025. Recent acquisitions include the Polly Pocket property (October 2025) and "The Last Thing He Told Me" book rights. While the unscripted division is reportedly being wound down, the company has stated it will remain active in the scripted space, and new CEO Maureen Polo is in place to lead that continued development activity.
Adjacent buyers in this lane
- Chernin Entertainment — Chernin Entertainment is actively producing seven films simultaneously across Netflix, Apple TV+, A2
- LuckyChap — LuckyChap is scaling its creator-driven production model into the U.K. and Europe through LuckyChap
- Federation Studios — Federation Studios is a Paris-based production and distribution group actively seeking a major capit
- Mediawan — Mediawan is actively integrating digital creators into its IP development pipeline, treating YouTube
Related reading
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