There are some very exciting TV shows incoming
Now that HBO Max is gearing up to launch in Europe this October, it's time we take a look at what the streamer will have on offer for viewers in Ireland and the UK.
For the past number of years, Sky and streaming service NOW has hosted HBO shows this side of the Atlantic. With the deal between the companies due to run through to 2025, we're not about to get access to streaming service HBO Max anytime soon.
However, it shouldn't make too much of a difference to TV addicts here. Sky and NOW normally have the titles available to watch here either on the same or the following day it airs over in the States, meaning we're safe from spoilers once we steer clear from social media (a lesson learned during the final season of 'Game of Thrones').
There are seven upcoming HBO shows arriving on Sky and NOW in the coming months which we think will be big audience draws. While there might be a few too many "TBC"s to be seen down below, hopefully, they'll be turned into "Confirmed"s in the very near future.
'Scenes From A Marriage'
When: October 11
What's It About: First up, it's the adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s 1973 Swedish TV miniseries. A modern, Americanised version, this miniseries reunites Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain (who both starred in 'A Most Violent Year') to deliver an in-depth look at the intricacies of contemporary marriage.
Bergman's original inspired a number of filmmakers upon its release, so there's a lot riding on these two award-winning actors to prove their drama chops on this re-imagining of what marriage, desire and love looks like in the modern era.
'Succession' Season Three
When: October 18
What's It About: The Roy family prove that running a family business is anything but smooth sailing. With season two amping up the drama to new heights, we envision that season three will outdo even our expectations, following the fall-out at the end of season two.
With Logan (Brian Cox) now fired up more than ever after his son Kendall's (Jeremy Strong) truth bomb to the press, he's left scrambling to secure his familial, political, and financial alliances. Expect tensions - and temperatures - to rise as a family civil war is on the cusp of being unleashed. Oh, and Greg (Nicholas Braun) is on hand, as always, to make you feel like anyone can fake it while somehow simultaneously making it.
'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Season 11
When: TBC 2021
What's It About: Larry David is still living the good life out in Los Angeles and stumbling through one faux pas after another - it's the eleventh season return of the comedy series with a difference.
The 'Seinfeld' co-creator and 74-year-old walking disaster is returning this autumn for yet another hilarious season of misunderstandings and misadventures. As always, expect a plethora of celebrity cameos along the way, alongside the comedian's motley crew of associates including Jeff (Jeff Garlin) and Leon (J.B. Smoove). All, essentially, ruing the day they ever crossed paths with Larry David.
'We're Here' Season Two
When: TBC 2021
What's It About: The queens from 'RuPaul's Drag Race' are back - and they've got something to say. The second season of the Emmy-nominated show (which didn't get to finish its first season, thanks to everything) will be serving up more entertainment, inspiration and realness.
In case you missed it the first time around, this is an unscripted reality series that follows three of America’s top drag entertainers, Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara and Shangela Laquifa Wadley, as they travel to small cities and towns across the country. The aim is for them to transform town locals into fierce drag queens and be the inspiring queer representation that the world needs more of these days.
TBC 'And Just like That...'
When: December 2021
What's It About: Oh, this will be a big one. The 'Sex and the City' sequel series finally has a release date attached to it, the only thing we're unsure of is whether the series is heading to Sky and NOW, hence the TBC. However, given that all six seasons of 'SATC' are there to watch on both services, we reckon its a dead cert.
The series will catch up with the characters of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) nearly 20 years later, as the three New Yorkers go about their busy lives as 50-somethings all these years later. The 10-part series airs this December - but will it live up to the hype? One can't help but wonder...
TBC 'Peacemaker'
When: January 2022
What's It About: Another one for the TBC pile is this follow-up comedy/action series to 2021's 'Suicide Squad'. Created by the film's director James Gunn, and starring John Cena, he'll be reprising his role as the titular character who can't help but need to achieve peace.
The spin-off series is set after the events of the action blockbuster and it will further explore the comic book character through the twisted mind of the series creator and writer, Gunn. At the moment it remains unconfirmed whether Sky and NOW will air the HBO show, but again it seems likely since 'Suicide Squad' is available on both platforms.
'House Of The Dragon'
When: TBC 2022
What's It About: Another title that is not 100% to be confirmed to be winging its way to Sky and NOW (although it's very likely, considering 'Game of Thrones' was an exclusive on both platforms), is this prequel series to one of the most talked about fantasy franchises in TV history.
'House Of The Dragon' is set 200 years before the events of the original TV series and is based on George R. R. Martin's prequel book 'Fire & Blood', all about the Targaryen dynasty. Matt Smith leads the cast as Prince Daemon Targaryen, with Rhys Ifans, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Olivia Cooke and Paddy Considine all joining the ever-expanding fantasy franchise for the first time.