What we know about Max originals following HBO and Discovery+ merger
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HBO Max has rebranded to just Max in the wake of its merger with Discovery+ last summer.
Max will continue to offer HBO originals, titles from the Warner Bros., DC, and Harry Potter universes, as well as Max originals, plus content from HGTV, Food Network, Discovery Channel, TLC, and Cartoon Network, among other brands.
As previously reported, there will be some structural changes: Max and HBO's comedy department are merging, for example, to align the scripted comedy slate under its own umbrella since there are more overlaps in comedy, such as with Hacks and Sex and the City spin-off And Just Like That.
With the non-fiction department, existing unscripted series are expected to continue on or premiere as planned so long as they perform well. Moving forward, Max will not add new original reality or documentaries since Discovery+ already has an expansive library. For existing Max reality non-fiction programs, renewals will be determined by viewing success.
Warner Bros. Discoverys CEO David Zaslav previously stressed a commitment to original programming, which came amidst persistent rumors that the merger would result in axed Max originals in the wake of Batgirl's surprise shelving. "Quality is what matters," he said. "Quality is what Casey and that team is delivering. It's the best team in the business. We're doubling down on that HBO team."
Karen Ballard/HBO Max Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in 'Hacks'
So, where does that leave some of Max's most high-profile original projects? Below is what we know so far.
Hacks
Hacks, the Emmy-winning dramedy centered on the mentorship between a legendary Las Vegas comedian (Jean Smart) and a young comedy writer (Hannah Einbinder), was renewed for season 3, though a premiere date has not been announced yet.
The Sex Lives of College Girls
Mindy Kaling's teen dramedy centered on the sex lives of four college freshmen (played by Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott) was renewed for season 3, and is presumed to debut sometime in late 2023 or 2024.
And Just Like That
The Sex and the City revival And Just Like That featuring original stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis was renewed for season 2 and is expected to premiere sometime in summer.
Peacemaker
The adaptation centered on the DC Comics superhero of the same name, played by John Cena, was renewed for season 2, with creator James Gunn confirming it's still on track.
Our Flag Means Death
David Jenkins and Taika Waititi's period romance comedy, centered on an aristocrat who abandons his life of privilege to become a pirate in the early 18th century, was renewed for season 2 and is expected to premiere sometime this year.
Minx
The 1970s Los Angeles-set comedy, centered on a low-rent publisher (Jake Johnson) and a young feminist (Ophelia Lovibond) who join forces to create the first erotic magazine for women, was canceled just before season 2 was set to begin filming, but fret not! It was picked up by Starz.
Katrina Marcinowski/Lionsgate Television Jake Johnson and Ophelia Lovibond in 'Minx'
The Garcias
Max has yet to share cancelation or news of a season 2 renewal for the sitcom, which follows a Texas-based family (Jeffrey Licon, Alvin Alvarez, Vaneza Pitynski, and Nitzia Chama) who gather for a summer vacation at their beach house in Mexico.
Rap Sh!t
Issa Rae's comedy, centered on two estranged friends who reunite to form an all-female rap group to try to break into the music industry, was renewed for season 2, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.
Julia
The series inspired by the life of Julia Child (played by Sarah Lancashire) and her cooking show The French Chef was renewed for season 2, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.
Love Life
The romantic comedy anthology series starring Anna Kendrick and William Jackson Harper that explores the journey from first love to last love was canceled after two seasons.
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
The PLL spin-off series centered on a new group of teens (Bailee Madison, Maia Reficco, Chandler Kinney, and Mallory Bechtel) tormented by an unknown assailant was renewed for season 2, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.
Gossip Girl
The Gossip Girl reboot following a new generation New York private school teenagers (Emily Alyn Lind, Whitney Peak, Thomas Doherty, Zión Moreno, Jordan Alexander, and Evan Mock) was canceled after two seasons.
FBoy Island
The reality dating series, centered on women who need to weed out the "f--- boys" from "nice guys" as potential suitors, was canceled after two seasons; however, the CW reportedly plans to pick it up and a spin-off titled FGirl Island.
Hassen Salum/HBO Max Mia and Danny in 'FBoy Island'
Titans
The gritty, coming-of-age take on the Teen Titans franchise starring Teagan Croft, Anna Diop, Brenton Thwaites, and Ryan Potter was given a fourth and final season. The first eight episodes of which are streaming now on Max, with the series finale set for May 11.
Legendary
The voguing reality competition series inspired by the underground ballroom community was canceled after three seasons.
Tokyo Vice
The crime drama series based on Jake Adelstein's 2009 memoir and starring Ansel Elgort as Adelstein, a journalist who plugs into the Tokyo Vice police squad, was renewed for season 2, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.
Selena + Chef
The cooking reality series from pop star and actress Selena Gomez has not been canceled or renewed for a potential season 5.
Doom Patrol
Doom Patrol, the comedy-drama series about a team of traumatized and downtrodden superheroes (starring Brendan Fraser, April Bowlby, Joivan Wade, and Riley Shanahan) was canceled after four seasons.
Starstruck
The rom-com about a millennial in London (Rose Matafeo) who continues to cross paths with a famous film star (Nikesh Patel) after a one-night stand was renewed for season 3, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.
Mark Johnson/HBO Max Rose Matafeo in 'Starstruck'
The Other Two
The Other Two, a comedy about a pair of siblings — one with dreams of becoming an actor (Drew Tarver), the other on the road to self improvement (Heléne Yorke) — whose lives are turned upside down after their teenage brother (Case Walker) was renewed for season 3 and will return May 4.
Sweet Life: Los Angeles
Issa Rae's reality series centered on the ventures of young Black adults as they pursue their dreams in sunny Los Angeles was canceled after two seasons.
Green Lantern
The upcoming series, rumored to be centered around multiple Green Lanterns spanning several periods of time, remains "very much alive" and "definitely moving forward," Max said.
The Penguin
The Batman spin-off series centered on the villain played by Colin Farrell is expected to premiere in 2024. Max released a first look.
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn, the animated series that stars Kaley Cuoco as the criminal queenpin in Gotham City, was renewed for season 4 with a new showrunner, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.
Madame X and Constantine reboot
Both from J.J. Abrams (who has several projects in development with the streamer), both to be shopped elsewhere after Max passed.
Justice League Dark
Abrams is attached to this ensemble live-action drama that will bring several iconic heroes together. No updates have been shared.
Val-Zod series
Michael B. Jordan is attached to executive produce the series centered on Val-Zod, a Black Kryptonian who found his way to Earth and takes over the mantle as Superman. No updates have been shared.
DC Super Hero High
Max announced that the comedy from Elizabeth Banks, centered on adolescences at a boarding school for gifted kids, was in the works, but no updates have been shared.
Pennyworth
The former Epix prequel series that explores the origin story of the Batman butler was canceled after three seasons.
My Adventures With Superman
The animated series starring Jack Quaid as Clark Kent as he builds his Superman persona received a two-season order. A recent teaser showing Quaid as Superman announced the show was "coming soon."
Dune: The Sisterhood
A prequel to the original Dune, the series about the lives of the Bene Gesserit, has been reported to be on a production hiatus.
A full list of new and returning shows and movies greenlit at Max can be found here.
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