We are always intrigued about what comes next, aren’t we? That is especially the case when era-defining shows like SUCCESSION come to an end. What will be the next big show to replace it? Some will say that show is already on the schedule and point to HOUSE OF THE DRAGON or THE LAST OF US. But just as the pandemic put productions to a halt, the latest Writers Guild strike has snarled the works also as the union fights for equality in the business. Yes, those big titles exist but we may not see them until 2025 or later, depending on how long the strike lingers on.
We do have a few shows banked, of course, to keep us entertained. Returning series that have scripts completed, like TRUE DETECTIVE, WINNING TIME and THE GILDED AGE will get before us yet in 2023. Plus, we are teased about new works coming soon. Some of those works, even if they are limited series look good; we’re talking HBO-quality good. So, before we find out about the delays in some of our favorites, let’s look at what WBD publicity touts as coming soon to HBO and while we’re at it, Max.
THE IDOL – it premieres Sunday, June 04. It might get more eyes on it just due to the fact that it has been deemed controversial. WINNING TIME – The sophomore season take to the court yet this year. It all makes me wish we were able to review this one. THE GILDED AGE – We did review the first season of this period piece. We should get all excited about it again when it returns this Fall. TRUE DETECTIVE – The fourth run, subtitled NIGHT COUNTRY, had our attention as soon as the title resurfaced then really jazzed us when 
Jodie Foster signed on. THE REGIME – (fka The Palace) looks awesome and not just because of Kate Winslet but because of Martha Plimpton too. THE SYMPATHIZER – Who knew this one was so close to being presented? What a unique piece this one will prove to be. REALITY – This HBO Films Presentation joins a long list of great works over the years and is even worth more than one viewing. THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES is coming real soon. The third season is slated for Sunday, June 18. LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER – Still on the slate but one of the shows definitely dark due to the WGA Strike. HOW TO WITH JOHN WILSON – promotion for the final season of this show has already begun. It arrives in July. PAINTING WITH JOHN – it rolls out a new season on June 02. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM – the twelfth 
season is taking a while but we all know it isn’t rigidly scripted anyway. HARD KNOCKS – it gets an ever so brief mention here; the latest teams must not be picked yet for its IN TRAINING or it’s IN SEASON runs for the Fall. THE JINX – the biggest surprise listed. Does the 2015 documentary series gets a sequel? REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER – again we can say, on the schedule but will only surface once the strike ends. REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL – He just keeps going! The strike has this one halted too.
Then there is Max Originals:
AND JUST LIKE THAT – Carrie, Miranda & Kristen’s story continues on June 22. BAMA RUSH – Docu-series which is all about a certain breed of sorority girls. WARRIOR – saved from Cinemax and going strong 
and debuting June 29. WARRIOR – saved from Cinemax this sweaty actioner goes for another round on June 29. FULL CIRCLE – This limited series, from Steven Soderbergh was barely on our radar and here we are being promised that it is coming soon. JULIA – whipping up another concoction of this series promised by the end of the year. THE PENGUIN – this one has some excitement built around it; we actually might just review this DC entry. Issa Rae’s RAP SH!T – gets another party on at some point as well. HACKS – that means Jean Smart has something more to say as Deborah Vance. SMARTLESS: ON THE ROAD – a road trip with Arnet, Bateman and Hayes is just around the corner. DOWNEY’S DREAM CARS – this title is too. SHAUN WHITE: THE LAST RUN – a new sports documentary that we didn’t know was out there. WHAT AM I EATING WITH ZOOEY DASHENEL – already out there. THE OTHER TWO – already playing too. HARLEY QUINN – she gets another round of animated mayhem. SWIPING AMERICA – we just told you about this docu-dating experiment debuting in June. CONAN O’BRIEN MUST GO – He 
comes to Max! THE DOOM PATROL – the DC title is not done yet. PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: ORIGINAL SIN – it seems this one isn’t either. CLONE HIGH – the refresh of the MTV title is already happening. TOKYO VICE – Ansel Elgort and Ken Watanabe got more where that came from. SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS – Mindy Kaling’s drama gets another season but no VELMA in sight. OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH – swashbuckling one more time.
But what about the shows you don’t see on the list? HBO’s Francesca Orsi has something to say about them. She is one of the strong Head of HBO Drama Series and Films through 2026 and knows her shows.
We learn via Deadline, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2, which is eying summer 2024 premiere, continues to shoot in the UK but at the start of the strike on May 2, George R.R. Martin announced that newly picked up Game Of Thrones prequel A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS: THE HEDGE KNIGHT has shut down its writers room. Writing for the new seasons of THE LAST OF US and WHITE LOTUS also has stopped. Orsi stated, “While everything at this moment is pencils down, I’m hopeful that we can come to terms sooner than later. Otherwise, we will have to assess what is the end of the 24 schedule, what are the shows that are going to be delivered for 2025.” At this point, those shows that I’m looking to air wouldn’t necessarily be ready if this strike last six to nine months. So yes, that’s a big question for us, but I think we’ll cross that road once we come to it.”
Regarding EUPHORIA she said, “Euphoria is one of those that we had begun writing in tandem with post-production on Idol but at this point, we don’t have countless scripts. We can’t start shooting, so the delivery of that show — ideally in 2025 — will be determined on when we can pick back up with Sam [Levinson], who at this point is all pencils down…” It, of course, is not all about the writing. Other factors weigh in on whether a show moves forward. Orsi also declared, “At this point, we are having conversations regarding viewership relative to budget, but it’s not just a Perry Mason conversation. We’re just assessing various shows, what more we need to be making, what more we can make, what more we have, the return in life of a series,” Orsi said. “Of course, each show has a job to do, given the price tag that we give to it, and there’s a viewership. component, and there’s a critical response element to it and of course, the buzz nature of a show. It’s those elements that 
we are always keeping in mind and discussing relative to whether or not a show will continue. That factors in for PERRY MASON, for WINNING TIME, for instance for THE GILDED AGE, so we have to play everything out and see how well they do.” PERRY MASON has since been canceled (look for an official report of that news soon).
The WGA strike, of course, has come at a bad time for the streamer we know as Max. People are not going to shell out money if the programming is scant. People are not going to wait a couple of years for their favorites to return; they will fall away. Sadly, all the unscripted material will become even more prominent.
But at least, you are now a bit more aware of what to expect and what not.
