HBO Max Dark Comedy DTF St. Louis Pivots From True Crime Inspiration to Original Narrative

Explore the transition of DTF St. Louis from a Dr. Gilberto Nunez biopic to a Jason Bateman dark comedy. Discover why Steven Conrad chose fiction over facts.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 5:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PEOPLE

The Artistic Departure from Real Life Murder Allegations

The development of the HBO Max series DTF St. Louis represents a significant shift in television production, moving from a literal true crime adaptation to a fictionalized exploration of modern relationships. Originally titled My Dentist’s Murder Trial, the project was intended to chronicle the legal battles of Dr. Gilberto Nunez, a New York dentist charged with the 2011 death of Thomas Kolman. According to creator Steven Conrad, the decision to pivot was driven by a desire to explore broader themes of "middle aged emptiness" without being tethered to the rigid details and moral complexities of a real life tragedy.

The Original Source Material and the Ulster County Scandal

The initial blueprint for the series was based on a 2017 New Yorker article by James Lasdun, which detailed a bizarre love triangle in Ulster, New York. Prosecutors in the 2016 trial alleged that Dr. Nunez used a powerful sedative to kill Kolman after an affair with the victim's wife became complicated by impersonations and fake CIA documents. While the real life Dr. Nunez was eventually acquitted of murder but convicted of forgery, Conrad found that trying to fit his fictional narrative goals into these specific events created an uncomfortable creative friction that necessitated a full retooling of the script.

Retooling the Premise for Modern Digital Infidelity

In its final 2026 iteration, DTF St. Louis focuses on Floyd, portrayed by David Harbour, a man navigating the physical and emotional challenges of aging within a passionless marriage. The plot centers on an infidelity dating app that gives the show its title, serving as a catalyst for a web of betrayal involving a local weatherman played by Jason Bateman. Conrad noted that this version of the story was inspired by observing his own social circle, where the promise of "excitement without consequences" through hookup apps often led to devastating real world results for married couples.