Ashley Tisdale is set to star in and executive produce a scripted comedy series for Netflix, drawing inspiration from her widely discussed experience with a "toxic mom group." The series, tentatively titled "Toxic Moms," will explore themes of motherhood, community, and social dynamics within a new parent's circle.
According to Deadline, the show is described as a dark, half-hour comedy that follows a sleep-deprived new mother who becomes involved with a clique of affluent mothers. The synopsis poses the question: "in the isolation of motherhood, how far would you go to taste community?"
Tisdale will collaborate on the project with Ali Wong, known for her work on "Beef," and Canadian comedian Sabrina Jalees, who is attached as a writer. The series marks Tisdale's return to scripted television and is rooted in a personal essay she published detailing her departure from a social group of mothers in Hollywood.
In her essay, "Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group," published by The Cut, Tisdale recounted feeling excluded and ostracized by friends after welcoming her second daughter. She described the experience as reminiscent of high school anxieties, where she questioned her own social standing and felt left out of gatherings that were later shared on social media.
While Tisdale did not publicly name the individuals involved, speculation arose among fans that the group included celebrities such as Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor. The situation gained further attention when Duff's husband publicly criticized Tisdale on social media. Trainor also addressed the situation in an interview, suggesting miscommunication was at play and expressing a wish for the best for all involved.
Tisdale has indicated she has no regrets about sharing her story, stating that the response from her intended audience was positive and that the essay reached those it needed to. The development of "Toxic Moms" comes as Tisdale also sees success with her wellness brand, Being Frenshe, which reportedly surpassed $250 million in sales and achieved $100 million in annual sales at Target since its launch in 2022.