HBO Max can not to have the shine it once hadbut the streaming service (previously just Max) still hosts some of the best TV shows of the last 25 years, from The Sopranos And The thread has Game of Thrones And The leftovers.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the “It’s Not TV” cable network or an HBO Max newbie trying to figure out where to start, the shows below should give you plenty to feast your eyes on.
Looking for more recommendations? Head over to WIRED’s guide to best TV shows on NetflixTHE best TV shows on Amazon PrimeTHE best TV shows on Disney+and the best TV shows on Hulu.
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Fifteen years later Game of Thrones made its television debut, the universe created by George RR Martin has its first… comedy? OK, so this isn’t really a “comedy” in the strictest sense, but A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is certainly a different type of beast than its predecessors. The tale of a road trip between friends follows the adventures of a knight, Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Great (Peter Claffey), and his squire, Aegon “Egg” Targaryen (Dexter Sol Ansell), whose place in the dragon-loving Targaryen clan ruling the Iron Throne is a secret to most. Despite Dunk’s lowly status, he is determined to prove his worth to the world. Although there are no dragons, there are still plenty of brutal fights you’ve come to expect from Martin’s fantasy world.
The Pitt
First of all: yes, The Pitt is a medical drama that brings together EAST star Noah Wyle with executive producer John Wells. But that’s basically where the similarities to this iconic NBC series end. Really, The Pitt has more in common with 24. Set in an underfunded Pittsburgh hospital, the series unfolds for more than 15 hours in real time as patients come and go (in some cases, shedding that mortal coil); medical students and interns learn the truth about their chosen profession; and veteran doctors and hospital administrators clash over the nature of the American health care system. It’s an engaging watch that moves at breakneck speed while delivering a grim reality about medicine in a post-pandemic world. Season 1 was a near-perfect season of television, and its five Emmy Awards — including wins for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Katherine LaNasa, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Shawn Hatosy, and well-deserved Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Wyle — are proof of that. Season 2, which follows the same real-time format and takes place during a hectic Fourth of July weekend, premiered on January 8.
Industry
You may not have had “investment banking drama” on your bingo card as your next obsessive binge-watch, but Industry has much more to offer than financial jargon. The Anglo-American series is set in and around Pierpoint & Co., one of London’s most prestigious investment banks and the place where every newcomer wants to land a job. The problem is that Pierpont is picky and offers a very limited number of full-time positions. So what you get instead is a glimpse into a cutthroat industry coupled with an ensemble comedy-drama about the lives of young professionals competing to reach the top. Game of Thrones Star Kit Harington has joined the series, which many have deemed “the new Succession” – for its third season. Max Minghella, Jack Farthing, Toheeb Jimoh, Amy James-Kelly and Kiernan Shipka – playing a very different and more adult role from Mad MenSally Draper from , joined us for the fourth season, which arrived on January 11th.
Mad Men
Nearly 20 years after its first creation, Mad Men is making headlines again with its arrival on HBO Max. While it’s likely you’ve already seen and loved the series, which is regularly cited as one of the best TV shows of all time, all seven seasons of the 1960s series have been remastered in 4K for the first time ever. This turned out to be a bad thing, as viewers began to notice a number of visible production errors that had slipped through the editing phase, including a vomit machine on screen. Despite this, Matthew Weiner’s Emmy-winning ode to the men and (perhaps more importantly) women who made advertising an art form continues to dazzle. To hell with sexism and vomit machines.
Passionate rivalry
If the title of this Canadian sports drama doesn’t mean anything to you, maybe this one will: Gay Hockey Show. Letterkenny co-creator Jacob Tierney is the man behind this adaptation of the Rachel Reid film Game changers book series. It follows the lives of two star hockey players who, from the start of their careers, are also described as arch rivals. In reality, Ottawa-born Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian star Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) have had a passionate relationship for several years. While it would be easy to create a superficial series based on the now-viral storyline, Passionate rivalry‘s popularity is well deserved. Between the superb performances of its main actors and the nuanced treatment of its subject, the series scores points on all levels.
I love Los Angeles
It’s barely five years since Rachel Sennott broke out in Emma Seligman’s dark comedy Shiva babyand she doesn’t waste any opportunities. With I love Los AngelesSennott is in charge as creator, writer and star of this Hollywood comedy set in Los Angeles. Maia (Sennott) is an aspiring talent manager who, on her 27th birthday, manages to muster up the courage to ask her boss Alyssa (Leighton Meester) for a promotion. Although the answer is no, Maia tells her friends and her boyfriend (Josh Hutcherson) otherwise, then hatches a plan to take her career to the next level.
Seduction
The Marquise de Merteuil (Anamaria Vartolomei) is out for revenge after being heartbroken and humiliated by the Viscount de Valmont (Vincent Lacoste), aka Valmont. She then sets out to become the first courtesan in Paris. HBO’s new French-language period drama series is a sexy, lavish series that serves as a prequel to Pierre Choderlos’ de Laclos. Dangerous Liaisons.
This: Welcome to Derry
He Director Andy Muschietti returns to where Stephen King’s Clown Killer was born in this ’60s-set prequel series that chronicles the origins of Pennywise in hour-long doses. Bill Skarsgård also returns as the sewer-dwelling horror icon and executive producer of the series, which mixes the terror fans have come to expect from the films with well-executed period details. It all adds up to an unexpected take on the genre – and one that should have coulrophobics running for the door.
The chair company
I think you should leave co-creators Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin have teamed up once again to present their brand of brilliantly unhinged comedy. In this case, Robinson plays Ron Trosper, a father, husband and business stalwart who suffers a very public embarrassment at work. Rather than shake it off, Trosper becomes convinced he’s a victim and ultimately finds himself caught up in a truly bizarre conspiracy theory. The less you know, the better. But if you’re a fan of the extremely uncomfortable characters Robinson is known for, The chair company takes it to the next level.
Stain
Easttown mare Creator Brad Ingelsby returns to HBO with a new crime miniseries, this time replacing Oscar winner Kate Winslet with Oscar winner Mark Ruffalo. Here, the Hulk actor plays Tom Brandis, a Catholic priest turned FBI agent, recovering from a family tragedy. But duty calls, and Brandis has a job to do, which ends up seeing his life collide with that of Robbie Prendergrast (Ozark(Tom Pelphrey), a garbage collector by day who spends his nights robbing the traps of a local drug gang in suburban Philadelphia. As Easttown mareexpect lots of dropped Rs and plenty of Wawa references.
Peacemaker
John Cena reprises his role as Chris Smith, aka Peacemaker, a vigilante prone to violence and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve peace, even if it means killing dozens of people. Ironic? Yes. It’s also very funny, with Cena seeming to relish the opportunity to play such an over-the-top character. The series is a spin-off of The suicide squad and boasts DC superhero boss/writer James Gunn as its most frequent creator, showrunner, writer and episode director.
The Yogurt Shop Murders
On December 6, 1991, a police officer responding to reports of a fire at a frozen yogurt store in Austin, Texas, was horrified to discover the bodies of four teenage girls inside. The four girls, aged 13 to 17, were shot in the head and at least one of the young women was raped. More than 30 years later, the events of that night continue to haunt not only the victims’ friends and family members, but also the law enforcement officials who investigated this horrific crime, the individuals considered suspects, and even the members of the media who covered it. HBO’s thrilling four-part documentary series takes an in-depth look at the murders, which remained unsolved until September 29, 2025, when Texas investigators announcement that DNA and ballistics evidence helped name a (now deceased) suspect in brutal murders.
The golden age
Although it didn’t make as much noise as Downton Abbey did, Julian Fellowes’ latest period piece is just as decadent – and really came into its own with its second season, then became addictive in its third. In this case, the drama moves to the United States to document the struggle between the old money aristocrats of New York City and the vulgar new money types who attempt to infiltrate their social circles. There are also many Up, down– a drama of the type Fellowes is known for, with the servants who cater to Manhattan’s elite playing a big role in the story here as well. Somewhere in the middle of all this is Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson, Meryl Streep’s youngest child), a young woman trying to navigate a world to which she only belongs vicariously. Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon and Cynthia Nixon lead a c stellar asting. Its third season, which concluded in August, is receiving some of the series’ most rave reviews. A fourth season has already been confirmed.
The undertaker
HBO delivered one of its most iconic series in the mid-2000s with the family funeral home setting Six Feet Under. The undertaker is essentially the flip side of this critically acclaimed drama: It’s a three-part documentary series that explores the troubling history of Lamb Funeral Home, a real-life Los Angeles business that made headlines in the 1980s when it was alleged that its new owner, David Sconce, engaged in improper practices that appeared to prioritize profit over human life. Years later, and after spending more than a decade in prison twice (the second time for violating his parole), Sconce sits down to talk about his crimes and still seems impervious to the emotional damage he caused.
The repetition
Good luck trying to explain what The repetition is for anyone unfamiliar with Nathan Fielder’s mastery of uncomfortable comedy. Which begins as a series in which the awkward star/comedian tries to help people prepare for big events. moments of life by repeating them until they get it right, quickly turns into a bizarre social experiment in which Fielder himself becomes one of the key players. The less you know in advance, the better. Just be aware that you’ll meet people who responded to a Craigslist ad to participate in season 1, and that season two sees Fielder step in to create a wild role-playing environment to improve communication between pilots, in hopes of avoiding plane crashes. It might make you worry about exactly who will commandeer your next flight and give a whole new meaning to the chorus of Evanescence’s 2003 hit “Bring Me To Life.”
Conan O’Brien must go
Conan O’Brien is at his zaniest in this offshoot of his popular podcast, Conan O’Brien needs a friend. While the popular audio series features O’Brien chatting with his fellow celebrities, this globe-trotting series sees the former late-night host surprising the everyday people he featured on said podcast. But it’s also a travel series of sorts, as he uses the time spent in these far-flung places (which, in the first season, included Norway, Thailand, Argentina, and Ireland) to immerse himself in the food, traditions, and culture of his chosen destinations. Season 2 sees O’Brien visiting New Zealand, Austria and Spain over the course of three episodes. It’s a short season, sure, but a third season is already confirmed.
The last of us
The last of us managed to succeed where Netflix resident Evil (which was canceled after one season) and other live-action TV shows based on video games failed – by being really, really good. Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and the original director of the video game, Neil Druckmanco-created the post-apocalyptic drama, in which a grizzled survivor (Pierre Pascal) is tasked with smuggling a smart-mouthed teenager (Bella Ramsey) who could be the key to finding a cure for the fungal infection-fueled pandemic that has turned most of America into zombie-like creatures. Well done everyone for sparking so much interest in the (very real and parasitic) Cordyceps mushroom-because Mushroom Nerds Like TV Too. After nearly two years of waiting, the series’ second season arrived in April 2025. Set five years after the events of the first season, it begins with Joel (Pascal) and Ellie (Ramsey) having seemingly found a permanent community, despite discord in their own relationship and zombies becoming more intelligent. But the final season takes some unexpected turns that viewers who aren’t familiar with the video game may not see coming – a trend that looks set to continue when the third season arrives.
Tips
Jean Smart has always been a legend, so it’s only fitting that she plays a legend in Tips. Four seasons later, the series follows the evolving relationship between world-renowned Las Vegas entertainer Deborah Vance (Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder, daughter of SNL legend Laraine Newman), a young cynical writer on the outs with Hollywood following a poorly taken tweet that went viral. What begins as a reluctant “mentorship” slowly turns into a loving and respectful friendship in which both women realize they have something to learn from each other. The series has won numerous awards, including 12 Emmy Awards (four of which went to Smart) — a streak that is expected to continue after the show’s dramatic fourth season, which ended with a development that has already left fans wondering what season 5 (which is already ordered, and Einbinder says it will be the last) might look like.
The right gemstones
The right gemstones is Danny McBride’s latest effort to introduce a group of very unlikeable people and find a way to make you like them even less while continuing to watch. In this case, it’s about a family of televangelists whose true god is greed and power. McBride assembled an all-star cast including John Goodman as the family patriarch, Adam DeVine and Edi Patterson as fellow Gemstones, and national treasure Walton Goggins as Uncle Baby Billy Freeman, a child star turned con man who gave the series some of its most memorable quotes and moments. (Can you say Baby Billy’s Biblical Nuts?) The fourth and final season of the series, which added Megan Mullally and Seann William Scott to the mix, ended in 2025, with all episodes streaming now.
When no one sees us
HBO Max’s first Spanish-produced series, adapted from Sergio Sarria’s novel of the same name, is a smart, slow-burn crime drama. U.S. Army Special Agent Magaly Castillo (Mariela Garriga) is sent to a base in Morón de la Frontera, Spain, to investigate the strange disappearance of a soldier. Not far away, Civil Guard sergeant Lucía Gutiérrez (Maribel Verdú) investigates a suicide that involves ritual elements of harakiri. Eventually, their investigations begin to overlap and the two work together – despite protocol and politics – to understand what is happening around them.
The White Lotus
While it was originally envisioned as a one-off limited series by the brilliantly screwed (in a good way) mind of Mike White, who co-created the sadly neglected film. Clarification with Laura Dern, another HBO show to discover—The White Lotus has since transformed into a full-fledged five-star franchise currently preparing for its fourth season. The series delves beneath the surface of the seemingly fabulous lives of deep-pocketed guests who can afford to stay at one of the title locations’ ultra-luxurious resorts (first Hawaii, then Sicily, followed by Thailand, with St. Tropez on the French Riviera next), and the people who go above and beyond to meet their every need. Somewhere in between, murder always seems to be on the menu. The new season proved delightfully addictive, with Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb and Aimee Lou Wood among the delightfully dysfunctional guests, plus a surprise appearance from Sam Rockwell as a wild character who won’t soon be forgotten. While fans of the series lamented the loss of Jennifer Coolidge as a recurring cast member, writer/actress Natasha Rothwell made her former potential business partner (and Coolidge’s dirty lying husband) proud by reprising her role as Belinda Lindsey, the spa director fans met (and rooted for) in Season 1. A fourth season has already been greenlit.
someone somewhere
Sam (the astonishing Bridget Everett) is a lost forty-year-old. After returning to her hometown of Manhattan, Kansas to care for her dying sister, she finds herself broken and floundering after her sister’s death. Unsure of who she is, what she does, or where she fits, she slowly begins to find her place thanks to Joel (Jeff Hiller), a colleague and former classmate. Through his friendship and support, and by reconnecting with his love of singing, Sam begins to learn that we don’t need to have the answers to know when something feels “right.” The Peabody Award-winning series is one of the best things to happen to TV viewers in a long time — and a reminder that “acceptance” is on the viewer’s mind. Although it managed to fly somewhat under the radar during its three seasons, all of which are airing now, that changed in 2025 when Hiller won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and gave one of the most heartfelt and hilarious acceptance speeches of the night.
Dune: Prophecy
HBO Max goes all-in on Frank Herbert Dune. In addition to the two recent creations of Denis Villeneuve Dune films – both of which are shown here – there are now Dune: Prophecy. Based on the prequel trilogy by Brian Herbert (son of Frank) and Kevin J. Anderson, the series takes place 10,000 years before the events seen in the Dune movies. In this world, it is women who rule as two sisters (Emily Watson and Olivia Williams) work to establish the secret brotherhood of the Bene Gesserit, who have developed the power necessary to ensure that all future members are built to become powerful leaders. Comparisons with The Handmaid’s Tale are inevitable. There’s more to come: The series was renewed for a second season just days before the season 1 finale.
Like water for chocolate
Foodies and romance fans will enjoy this latest adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s seminal 1989 novel. Set during the Mexican Revolution, it tells the story of Tita de la Garza (Azul Guaita) and Pedro Múzquiz (Andres Baida), a young couple in love. Tita’s cruel mother, Mamá Elena (Irene Azuela), insists that her daughter will take care of her until she dies and thus refuses to consent when Pedro asks for Tita’s hand. Instead, he ends up marrying Tita’s sister Gertrudis (Andrea Chaparro) in an attempt to remain a part of Tita’s life, which only makes their situation even more distressing. Tita’s love is not entirely unrequited: she expresses it in the dishes she cooks, and it is felt in everyone who tastes them. (It’s a lot less silly than it sounds.) A second and final season will arrive on February 15, 2026.
The sex lives of female students
Mindy Kaling co-created this HBO Max series, which takes a new spin on the teen sex comedy, in which the women are entirely in the driver’s seat. Nerdy Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet, yes, Timothée’s sister ), aspiring professional funnyman Bela (Amrit Kaur), Upper East Sider brat Leighton (Reneé Rapp), and football star/senator’s daughter Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott) are four freshmen randomly thrown together as roommates. But as they get to know each other, their forced cohabitation turns into a real bond in which there is no TMI and a “naked party” is just a way to unwind after a long week. All three seasons are streaming.
The franchise
Armando Iannucci never met a world he didn’t want to skewer (see: In the heart of the action, Veep, Avenue 5). In the case of The franchisewhich Iannucci co-created with Sam Mendes and Jon Brown, is the ridiculousness of superhero movies — and, more specifically, superhero cinematic universes — that’s ripe for mockery. Daniel Kumar (Himesh Patel) is the first assistant director of an upcoming film, Tecto: Eye of the Stormwhich is made in the shadow of one of the team-up films in its franchise, Centurion 2therefore being short of money. Even though his name will be buried in the credits, Kumar – who might have the production’s most thankless job – is determined to make a film that rises above its material. And the budget. And actors. And the crew. Think of it as a satirical shot at the MCU. Unfortunately, one season is all we’ll get of the last Iannucci.
It’s Florida, man
“What you are about to see may be dangerous, mean-spirited, ill-advised, and certainly stupid,” the trailer’s voiceover warns. “But all of that is also true. Sort of.” Danny McBride strikes again (as executive producer) in this new late-night series that brings the incredible and infamous songs of “Florida Man” to life. Each episode recreates the stories of these Floridians with a cast of A-list comedic actors, including Anna Faris, Jake Johnson, Randall Park, Juliette Lewis, Sam Richardson and Ego Nwodim. Prepare to face wild rabbits, mermaids stalked by witches and much more. A second season ended on January 7.
The Penguin
While superhero/villain TV shows generally tend to be the domain of Disney+, The Penguin is different – in many ways. From Matt Reeves The Batman (2022) and based on the characters created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, The Penguin takes a high profile TV approach to its comic book origins. This is probably part of why you’ve heard so many comparisons between The Penguin And The Sopranos— a somewhat exaggerated comparison. (Even though Colin Farrell’s Oswald “Oz” Cobb (They look a bit like James Gandolfini’s legendary mob boss.) Still, The Penguin is its own beast; it’s an origin story that documents Oz’s violent rise to power following the death of Gotham crime boss Carmine Falcone. While Farrell’s Penguin was one of the most compelling parts of Reeves’ film, The Batmanhere it’s Cristin Milioti – who manages to be utterly charming despite playing a brutal psychopath – who steals the show as Sofia Falcone, the daughter of Carmen, a mastermind battling Oz for control of Gotham’s underworld. Although discussions have reportedly taken place, it is not yet known if a second season will happen. (Reeves stated that The Batman 2 is their current priority.)
Crazy Chimp
“You can’t tame wild things.” That’s Alan Cumming’s very simple summary of why it’s not a good idea to have a 250-pound chimpanzee living in your house as if it were another family member. Crazy Chimp takes this notion to the extreme. Apparently the four-part documentary series, which comes to HBO Max from the same people who brought us Tiger King– tells the lengths to which Tonia Haddix, an exotic animal broker with a passion for tanning salons, will go to any lengths to ensure she cannot be separated from her beloved chimpanzee Tonka (despite what PETA thinks is best for the primate). Ultimately, however, this is an examination of the “chimp mom” community and the disturbing reality of what can happen when a human being puts their own needs ahead of those of these highly intelligent primates, who need more than suburban life can afford. While it’s unclear if there will be a season 2, Haddix’s arrest in July 2025 and the aftermath that followed four-year prison sentence it certainly opens up the possibility that there’s more story to be told here.
Dragon House
Although it would be silly to think that a series could reproduce the cultural giant that was Game of Thrones, Dragon House does a pretty admirable job (although George RR Martin does not necessarily agree with all the creative choices that differentiate it from the book). Especially if you wished its predecessor had more dragon action. This prequel series, set approximately 200 years before Game of Thronesis about discord within House Targaryen and the beginning of the end of that ruling family’s dynasty. Just like Gotthere’s enough sex, violence, backstabbing, family dysfunction, and dragons to fill that void — and even the occasional dark scene to unnerve the audience.
The Sopranos
It’s been more than 25 years since the public discovered Tony Soprano and his family, both blood and blood. Whether you’ve never seen the series that still tops many people’s lists as the greatest TV show ever created, or it’s just been a while, it’s time to rewatch it. The basic premise is now well known: Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) is a New Jersey mob boss who struggles with depression and panic attacks. He then begins seeing a psychiatrist (Lorraine Bracco), which is forbidden in Tony’s job. Over the next six seasons, the audience is invited to discover the life of a mafia boss, both its violent side and the banalities that it can bring. A quarter of a century later, the series is still going strong. For an extra dose of Sopranos content, be sure to check it out Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranoswhich is also streaming.
Ren Faire
What would happen if SuccessionLogan Roy was in charge of a Renaissance fair? It might look a lot Ren Faire. This surprisingly engaging three-part documentary series follows the drama that ensues when George Coulam, founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival (America’s largest Renaissance fair) announces his retirement. While it seems that the festival’s general director is the first to take over, a kettle corn baron and former elephant trainer is mobilizing to challenge this notion of succession. Who knew Ren faire’s business was so fierce?
Specters
Calling all The Espookys fans: Julio Torres has a new series. And yes, it’s just as absurd, silly and funny as its horror-comedy predecessor. In this case, Torres plays a fictionalized version of himself who ends up wandering New York in search of a lost earring. Along the way, he meets all sorts of bizarre characters, with appearances from the likes of Steve Buscemi, Emma Stone, Ziwe, Paul Dano, Bowen Yang and Aidy Bryant.
The curse
The curse is as annoying as it is fascinating. Director Andrew Jarecki’s first contact with the Robert Durst story came in the form of All the good thingsthe 2010 feature film starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst that fictionalized Durst’s life. But when Durst saw what Jarecki had done with this project, he asked them to sit down for an interview, which spawned this true-crime documentary series that originally premiered in 2015 and ultimately led to new accusations against Durst. We won’t reveal too much, but suffice it to say that the words “I killed them all, of course” will stay with you forever. The Jinx, part two picks up the story after Durst utters this haunting phrase.
The sympathizer
Viewers still deplore the end of The Americans I will find many things to love The sympathizerco-created by renowned filmmakers Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen, this limited series follows the exploits of Captain (Hoa Xuande), a police captain in the Vietnamese capital then known as Saigon, who also happens to be a communist spy. Eventually he went to America, where he continued to collect intelligence for the Viet Cong. While that might not sound like the premise of a dark comedy, that’s definitely what it is, especially when Robert Downey Jr. is there. THE Iron Man The star is a formidable villain that viewers love to hate in each of the four characters he plays.
Jerrod Carmichael’s Reality TV Show
You have to imagine that putting “Reality Show” in the title was somewhat ironic, as shown in this documentary series, in which comedian Jerrod Carmichael claims he’s trying to “self-Truman Show” himself – is much more intimate and authentic than that label would suggest. Carmichael’s goal is to be as honest as possible about his life and his struggles while the cameras are rolling. And if one were to judge its success based on how uncomfortable some viewers might be witnessing it all, the series is an absolute triumph.
Tokyo Vice
In 1993, American journalist Jake Adelstein landed a job at the Tokyo-based newspaper. Yomiuri Shimbun as the paper’s first non-Japanese editor, a position he held for a dozen years. Nearly 30 years later, in 2022, HBO Max has transformed Adelstein’s life into a clever crime drama in which the young journalist (played by Ansel Elgort) forms a deep bond with high-ranking members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, who bring him dangerously close to the violence and corruption that exists within the city. In the summer of 2024, HBO Max announced that the series’ explosive second season would be its last. But Tokyo Vice producers are still hoping a third season will get the green light elsewhere.
True Detective: Land of the Night
Have you followed our advice and watch Deadloch and now you want more, but much darker and scarier? We have just the solution: True Detective: Land of the Night. Truth be told, this anthology series has had some rough times. After an extremely successful first season which crushed HBO Max’s predecessorHBO Go, and everyone talked about time being a flat circle, the second and third installments of the series failed to capture the same momentum. Night Country is a return to formas evidenced by its 19 Emmy nominations (the most of any HBO series in 2024). It stars Jodie Foster, who won her first Emmy for this role, and Kali Reis as two investigators trying to uncover a conspiracy and solve a series of bizarre murders. Mysterious symbols are also involved. Yes, that’s pretty much the plot of every season of True Detectivebut this season has dead bodies. As with all of these previous iterations, the less you know at the start, the better. Speaking of the least you know: a fifth season has been ordered, with Night Country creator Issa López returns as showrunner. Very few details have been revealed, except that the season is set to take place in New York’s Jamaica Bay, and that Nicolas Cage is in talks to play the lead role.
Limit your enthusiasm
“I really did the best I could under the circumstances of someone who hates people and yet had to be among them,” Larry David says in the trailer for the 12th and final (yes, really) season of Limit your enthusiasm. David – both the real-life comedian and the semi-fictionalized version of himself he plays on TV – has been coming in and out of our lives for over 20 years now. And it has continually exceeded audience expectations with each new season of Sidewalk. Even though he co-created Seinfeldone of the most groundbreaking television series of all time, is Limit your enthusiasm to which it will always be more closely linked. Pretty good for a social assassin. Pretty, pretty GOOD. While Sidewalk may be dead, David’s partnership with HBO is alive and well; he will be bringing a new comedy sketch series to the network this year.
Damn rap!
Precarious Impresario Issa Rae is the mastermind behind this hilarious comedy, which follows Mia Knight (KaMillion) and Shawna Clark (Aida Osman), two former high school friends and struggling rappers who try to make it in the Miami music scene. Eventually, they decide to join forces to form a group, double their chances of success and use social media as a launching pad, all with mixed results. As much as the series is about music, at its heart it speaks to the endless possibilities of youth and the beauty of women supporting women. Lasting just two seasons, it’s an easy watch to watch.
Our flag means death
Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi do what Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi do best as two very different types of pirates who cross paths in the 1700s. Darby plays Stede Bonnet, a fictionalized version of a very real member of the landed gentry whose version of a midlife crisis sees him abandon his family and take to the high seas for a swashbuckling adventure. Waititi, meanwhile, plays the infamous Blackbeard, who learns of Bonnet and searches for him. What starts as a mentorship of sorts ends up becoming the gay pirate action-comedy series you never knew you needed.
How to do it with John Wilson
If Steven Wright and Nathan Fielder decided to create a YouTube channel offering how-to tutorials on topics like erecting scaffolding and covering plastic furniture, it might look a lot like How to do it with John Wilson. So it’s probably no surprise that Fielder is an executive producer on the series, which follows Wilson as he attempts to uncover the secrets to dilemmas as universal as how to chat. Wilson’s surprising mix of seriousness and deadpanness makes the series surprising, illuminating, and extremely strange. Wilson’s new documentary, The history of concretereceived rave reviews at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The other two
Chasedreams (Case Walker) is a 13-year-old Internet icon whose sudden rise to global stardom has become her mother’s (Molly Shannon) sole focus. Chase’s older siblings, however, have a much harder time succeeding. Brother Cary (Drew Tarver) is an aspiring actor who can’t even land the role of “The Fart-Smelling Man at the Party,” while his sister Brooke (Heléne Yorke) is just trying to figure out who and what she wants to be. The three seasons of the series, co-created by the former SNL editors Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider are available to binge.
Barry
No one seemed particularly impressed when HBO announced that Bill Hader and Alec Berg were co-creating a series in which Hader would play a hitman with a conscience that tries to go straight. But what might seem like a trope played out has taken on new dimensions of humor, darkness, humanity, and just plain weirdness, with its recently concluded final season serving as a brilliant crescendo of all that dark weirdness mixed with a little time jump. Barry Berkman (Hader) is a traumatized sailor whose newfound apathy toward the world and the very act of living makes him ideally suited to work as a shooter for hire. When a job takes him to Los Angeles, Barry stumbles upon an acting class run by Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, in what may be the role that ultimately supplants Fonzie as his most memorable), a failed but charismatic mentor. But returning to the real world is not without consequences for Barry, who can spend an entire episode being chased by a little martial arts master. All four seasons of the Emmy Award-winning series, each better than the last, are available to stream in their entirety.
Succession
Media empires run by dysfunctional families may rise and fall, but it will always be this way. Succession. The Emmy Award-winning series concluded its four seasons in early 2023, but its legacy as one of television’s most surprising prestige pieces will be felt for decades to come (especially after what happened at Shiv’s wedding…and then “Connor’s Wedding,” not to mention the balcony or shot seen all over the world). At a time when television programs about the rich, real or imaginary, are abundant, Succession manages to stand out by being as funny as it is painfully tragic. The jet-black family comedy-drama chronicles the Roy family and the people/friends/big men around them, all of whom seem to be seeking control of Waystar Royco, the global media conglomerate run by the family, whether through succession (get it?) or more hostile means. Think of it like King Lear meets News Corp. by Rupert Murdoch, only funny. (Unless you’re invited to play Boar on the Floor.)
A Black Lady Sketch Show
In 2015, Robin Thede made television history when she was named head writer of The Night Show with Larry Wilmore— making her the first black woman to serve as editor-in-chief of a late-night talk show. Four years later, she once again revolutionized the television landscape by bringing together a group of her funniest friends, including Ashley Nicole Black, (future Abbott Elementary School creator) Quinta Brunson, Gabrielle Dennis and Skye Townsend – and created A Black Lady Sketch Showthe first sketch comedy written, produced and starring black women. The four-season series has featured A-list names like Angela Bassett as guest stars with its no-holds-barred humor, and the entire series is available to stream now.
Rain Dogs
Costello Jones (Daisy May Cooper) is an aspiring novelist and working-class mother who can’t always make ends meet for herself and her wise-beyond-her-years daughter, Iris (Fleur Tashjian). Thus, Costello is regularly forced to call on her gay, violence-prone, but wealthy best friend, Selby (Jack Farthing), to untangle them from the jams in which they have managed to find themselves caught. The series is billed as a dark comedy, which it certainly is, although the moments between the levities are sometimes so dark and raw that even the frothiest bits carry weight. This dark and sometimes surreal meditation on class, gender, dysfunction, and the varying definitions of “family” makes this a series to watch compulsively. Unfortunately, the BBC-HBO co-production was canceled after one season, so the existing eight episodes are all you get.
Abbott Elementary School
Abbott Elementary School creator/star Quinta Brunson (A Black Lady Sketch Show) received all kinds of accolades with this ABC series and even managed to land streaming deals with HBO Max and Hulu. The Surprise Hit follows the lives of a group of teachers who work in one of America’s most underfunded public schools while doing their best to inspire students. Yes, this all sounds very serious — and it is — but it’s also the kind of funny we don’t see much on network television anymore. The series, currently airing its fifth season, has racked up enough awards (Emmys, Critics Choice, Indie Spirit and beyond) to fill a school trophy case.
I can destroy you
Michaela Coel is a creative force of nature who delivered on her promise with the title of this limited series, which she created, wrote, directed and stars in. Arabella (Coel) is a Londoner living the millennial dream with a thriving writing career, thanks in part to her fame as a social media influencer. But Arabella’s Insta-perfect life begins to unravel when, after a night out with friends, she begins to remember – in fragments – being sexually assaulted. Eventually, the need to piece together exactly what happened to her and who did it consumes her completely and the past comes knocking at her door. Coel is currently working jointly with HBO and BBC on a new series, First day on Earthwhich will be just as personal and could arrive as early as this year.
Avenue 5
Bad timing may have led to the unfortunately early demise of Avenue 5whose filming of its second season was delayed, and delayed again, due to Covid-19. But the space comedy imagined by the brilliant mind of Armando Iannucci, creator of Veep (another streaming classic on HBO Max), and its even swearier predecessor, The thickness of itis well worth your time, if only to see what might happen when space travel inevitably goes wrong. Hugh Laurie plays the “captain” of an interplanetary cruise ship, with Josh Gad playing eccentric tech billionaire/huge baby Herman Judd, whose planned eight-week tour of the galaxy turns into disaster when a gravitational catastrophe sends the ship off course. The series gets crazier as it goes on, and the poop plays an important role in saving thousands of passengers and crew. Consider yourself warned and feel free to laugh at the inanity of it all. Strong.