Hulu is continuing to build out the cast of its upcoming coming-of-age mystery series Phony, with The Chi breakout Maliq Johnson set as a series regular.
From 20th Television, Phony centers on Sonny (Sam Nivola), a teenager who wakes up in the hospital after a car accident only to find that his mother, Ellen (Connie Britton)—his only parent and closest confidant—appears to have been replaced by an impostor.
Johnson will play Vogel, Sonny’s childhood best friend. A once-promising soccer player sidelined by injury, Vogel is now questioning his future in sports. He’s still the same lovable, popular goofball, though—loyal, big-hearted, and always down to ride for Sonny no matter how wild things get.
The series also adds Meera Syal, Grace Brennan, Mahaela Park, and Colter Lee as series regulars.
Syal plays Sharla, a private investigator Sonny hires to help uncover the truth about his mother. Living on the outskirts of town, Sharla leans into “alternative knowledge” and carries a hardened exterior shaped by years of disappointment—though there’s more vulnerability beneath the surface.
Brennan’s Mallory is Sonny’s former middle school crush who recently returned to public school after years of being homeschooled by her religious parents. Blunt and deeply introspective, Mallory struggles to find her place socially—and isn’t quick to buy into Sonny’s theory.
Park portrays Chloe, Sonny’s girlfriend and the class president of Delby High. While she genuinely cares for Sonny, his post-accident behavior strains their relationship. Beneath her polished exterior, Chloe harbors a more eccentric, misunderstood side.
Lee rounds out the group as Weldon, Mallory’s cousin and a new student at Delby High. Though he sees himself as self-assured, Weldon quickly becomes Sonny’s strongest ally—and the one person who fully believes his mom has been replaced.
Created by Nick Paley, who also wrote and directed the pilot, Phony is executive produced by Paley, co-showrunner Anthony King, Connie Britton, Charlie Alderman, and Drew Goddard and Sarah Esberg. Andrea Massaro serves as co-executive producer. The half-hour series is produced by 20th Television.
Phony will premiere on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ in the U.S., with an international rollout on Disney+. A premiere date has not yet been announced.