We eagerly await the Sizzler Reel every year, as it always provides an exciting glimpse into the new year and what HBO has to offer. We always get to see unseen footage for the first time of the content packed into this video clip. Here is our chance to break it all down.
It started with quick bits and sound bites. We saw the Iron Throne & Westeros battle melee with the quote from HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Corlys Velaryon, “You have to decide what you want.” [Well, HBO of course.] Then we witness a glimpse of the wild times and quiet moments of EUPHORIA’s Rue Bennett as we hear her say, “There is no turning back” [No, we are looking ahead to the new future of HBO.] Then it’s the hot tempers of high stakes business and a strong sound bite from INDUSTRY’s Harper Stern, “Do you know why I do this? Because I enjoy it. And I’m fucking good at it!” [Yes, HBO, you are. That’s why we keep coming back year in and year out, despite Zaslav.]
That leads us into footage, much of it new, from 16 shows to appear in 2026. In order of appearance, the shows promoted are:
House of the Dragon S3, HBO Original Drama Series, debuts summer 2026
We spy Alicent and Rhaenyra. Season Three will focus on major events such as the Battle of the Gullet, the fight at the Isle of Faces, and terrifying new forces like the Winter Wolves. A larger segment appears late in the clip with many faces appearing, including the newly cast James Norton as Ormund Hightower. Alicent reminds us that, “Rhaenyra will do what she has to do. And what she has to do will be dire.” And we will be promised some of the most epic battles of all Westeros as a result. It should be exciting, devastating, and gory. Can’t wait, right? You will, though, as it doesn’t arrive until this coming summer.
Euphoria S3, HBO Original Drama Series, debuts in April
It has been a long time coming for the return of this Sam Levinson series. Its last episode was back in February of 2022, and finally, in April of 2026, we return to the lives of Rue, Lexie, Nate, and their families & friends. An announcement date, Season Three’s production date got moved three times or so, and the poorly received THE IDOL by Levinson was in the way as well. But finally, we have an April arrival confirmed. We’ll do our part to inform you of the exact premiere date when we know it.
After a quick glimpse in the intro, a bit more of the series gets coverage at the mid-point of this Sizzler Reel. The sound bite from Rue reminds us that the series jumps forward a few years. She says, “A few years after high school, I don’t know if life was exactly what I wished.” That is stated over a peek at some of the other characters of the show and a rough off-road ride. Then we cut to Rue walking up to someone with a deep, smooth voice. It is from the newest cast member to the show. It belongs to the one and only Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. If you had HBO ages ago, like me, you know him as Adebisi from OZ. How does he factor into Rue’s world? We’ll find out this coming Spring.
Industry S4, HBO Original Drama Series, debuts January 11
This BBC/HBO financial thriller returns for eight (8) episodes on Sunday nights and runs through March 01, 2026. Joining the likes of Myha’la Herrold, Yasmin Kara-Hanani, and Kit Harington for the fourth season are Max Minghella, Kiernan Shipka, Claire Forlani, and Kal Penn.
The series is represented in the clip a bit later on from the intro. This time, we hear from Yasmin, who says, “Narrative is important. So you might as well control it.” [HBO does that well, right?] That is said over a look at some steamy sex and a collapsing body into a glass desk. It quickly illustrates the rough and tumble that is INDUSTRY.
The Pitt S2, Max Original Drama Series, debuts January 8
Over one of the many bridges of Pittsburgh, PA, we go to herald in the Max Original THE PITT. “And so it begins,” says Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle). And so it will for another heart-pounding fifteen installments that takes the show into April 2026. The good thing about this series being on the streaming service, you can watch them unspool at your leisure! One exciting note is that HBO Max is looking at other shows to follow this same broadcast format in the future.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, HBO Original Drama Series, debuts January 18
Then we get new footage from the new series coming real soon. A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS offers us the world of Westeros with all the grit and armour we expect, but served with a bit of humor too. We hear from Baelor Targaryen introducing the main character, Ser Duncan, and asks, “What kind of knight are you?” We are about to find out! So, we get a good look at Peter Claffey as “Dunk,” but no sign of “Egg” here. Alas, it is only six episodes long, but a second season has already been greenlit.
DTF St. Louis, HBO Original Limited Series, debuts in 2026
We don’t know a great deal about this show yet, not even its exact premiere date, but we will all in good time. We do get the first footage here, though. “What is DTF?” asks David Harbour’s character. Jason Bateman gets stopped short before he gets out the whole answer. “It’s Down to F—,” and is cut off with a “Whoa.” Yeah, well, you know HBO can get away with it. It is about a love triangle between three adults experiencing middle-aged malaise, which leads to one of them ending up dead. It also stars Linda Cardellini as, no doubt, the third partner. We will get you more details as the show moves along.
The Comeback S3, HBO Original Comedy Series, debuts in March
Hey, it is Lisa Kudrow. We never, ever, saw this coming – the return of THE COMEBACK! Season One was way back in 2005 with 13 episodes, and then 8 more arrived, making Season Two back in 2014. The third season doesn’t debut until March, so that leaves time to find the first two seasons on HBO Max if you need a refresh or a first-time look. “How’s that?” It’s an HBO surprise.
Rooster, HBO Original Comedy Series, debuts in March
We just gave you some intel on ROOSTER. We see Steve Carell’s character in this clip briefly. Looks like he gets a crazed motorcycle ride and is hit up by an interested chick. “Cock-a-doodle-doo” and it’s great to have Carell give us a stint of his comedic style after HBO Films: MOUNTAINHEAD.
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!, HBO Original Two-Part Documentary, debuts in 2026
Mel Brooks is adored, and Judd Apatow knows it and crafted a documentary to celebrate the talent and career of the schmaltzy entertainer. We get to enjoy it in 2026. He’ll be 100 on June 28, 2026, which will be a Sunday, so it seems a no-brainer, right?
Untitled Larry David Project, HBO Original Limited Series, debuts in 2026
Oh, boy, this could be unhinged. Larry David has his hand on improvising his way through historical moments. If you miss CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, then just wait for this gig. And to top it off, this clip proves that Jerry Seinfeld will be joining him in the antics. And what an appropriate sound bite, “I’ve got a really good feeling about this.” That was said by David as he was seen as a man panning for gold a couple of centuries back. That quote refers to his hope for gold, but could also be applied to his new series and to HBO in 2026.
Half Man, HBO Original Limited Drama Series, debuts in 2026
At this point, the imagery gets shorter again. We head into another limited series we just started talking about. We get a good peek here at our leads in this one, Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell. These two brothers are so broken that together they might make a whole person. It looks like a tense drama just from this alone.
Hacks S5, Max Original Comedy Series, debuts in 2026
Then we get a high five from Deborah and Ava to say the HBO Max Original HACKS will be back for its fifth and final season.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, Max Original Comedy Series, debuts in 2026
Then there is the alert visage of a character from STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE, which we need to research a bit. I mean, we know it is a spin-off of The Big Bang Theory with Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom, but that’s about it. We will learn more as the new year rolls out.
The Gilded Age S4, HBO Original Drama Series, debuts in 2026
We are also reminded that THE GILDED AGE will return with all its grandeur. Remember, George Russell was severely wounded, and he and Bertha are separated because of her manipulation of their children for her own personal ambition. And that is just one of the big storylines to be addressed in Season Four.
War, HBO Original Series, debuts in 2026
Speaking of failing relationships, that topic is the crux of WAR, as a domestic situation spirals out of control. No exact date is set for this series; we will add information to what we have already learned in the coming months. As we get a look at our leads, the estranged wife in the relationship, Carla Duval (Sienna Miller), is heard in voice-over. Dominic West from THE WIRE is Miller’s counterpart. Carla says, “You take this case, and you take him for every penny he’s got.” Ooh, sounds nasty and a tense little HBO series.
Dune: Prophecy S2, HBO Original Drama Series, debuts in 2026
Season Two of another big series cannot be forgotten. DUNE: PROPHECY will deliver. Showrunner Alison Schapker with another set of six (6) episodes, complete with epic visuals and high intrigue. We look for Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen, Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen, Princess Ynez, Desmond Hart, and Keiran Atreides, and the rest when we return to the Dune milieu someday soon.
Lanterns, HBO Original Drama Series, debuts in 2026
The highly anticipated DC tale LANTERNS is the highlight at the end of the reel. The segment does draw you in and makes you wonder just how this adventure will play out. Think of it as being similar to HBO’s WATCHMEN by Damon Lindelof. You know, a story not quite like the original but close enough. This Green Lanterns saga will not be like DC Comics of old, but a new take on it all, starring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. Through the never-before-seen footage, we hear John Stewart say, “I trained my entire life for this,” and Jordan comes back with, “You’re not ready to get up in front of the class, until the ring says you are.” We shall see how ready Stewart is, and we will see how true to the DC comics this show is sometime in 2026. Bring it on!
The screen prints out for us to Get Ready For Our Biggest Year Ever as a fast flurry of final images plays out. Yes, we know there is a lot of drama behind the scenes, but will you just focus on the content ahead for 2026? See you in the New Year.
Enjoy HBO and HBO Watch.
