HBO is releasing 19 original programs in 2019 — here's why we're excited

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28 December 2018

HBO enters 2019 preparing for the ending to end all endings: “Game of Thrones” final season is set for March, but closing such a key chapter to the premium cable network’s history only invites questions for its future. What’s next for the franchise? (The much-anticipated prequel series is the first answer, among many.) What’s next for HBO? (“Westworld,” “Watchmen,” and “Lovecraft Country” are certainly a strong focus.) And ultimately, what else can HBO produce to drive viewership, subscriptions, and awards in a crowded TV landscape?

The coming year will hold even more answers, starting with the series listed below. In 2019, HBO is expanding even further — more foreign language series to appeal globally, more TV movies to attract a burgeoning cinematic fan base, and more original programs overall, big and small, to fill the increasing demand for high-quality content. It’s not a question of which series will be the next “Game of Thrones,” but which series (plural) can help HBO retain its premium status. Here’s a few shows that might be able to do it:

“True Detective” Season 3

Release Date: January 13, 2019

Cast: Mahershala Ali, Carmen Ejogo, Stephen Dorff, Scoot McNairy, Mamie Gummer, Ray Fisher

Writers: Nic Pizzolatto, David Milch (one episode)

Directors: Jeremy Saulnier, Nic Pizzolatto, Daniel Sackheim

Can “True Detective” be good again? That’s the question lingering over Nic Pizzolatto’s new entry, following a three-and-a-half year break after a much maligned second season. But Season 3 has made deliberate choices to get the series back to its awe-inspiring roots. Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali leads a stripped down cast of characters — with similar partner dynamics to Season 1 — through a rural, Southern setting and a time-hopping mystery spanning three decades. There are interrogation scenes, old age makeup, and plenty of road trip cop chatter. It’s “True Detective” classic, even if Cary Fukunaga, Matthew McConaughey, and Woody Harrelson remain involved in title only, so maybe this season will right the ship.

“Brexit”

Release Date: January 19, 2019

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Kinnear

Writer: James Grisham

Director: Toby Haynes

A bald Benedict Cumberbatch plays the man to blame for the United Kingdom voting to leave the European Union in 2016 — but it’s a lot more complicated than that. This up-tempo, darkly comic movie follows Dominic Cummings (Cumberbatch), the leading strategist and Campaign Director of the Vote Leave effort. Cummings is an eccentric genius, prone to alienating his peers by stubbornly pushing his own agenda — a part Cumberbatch might know a thing or two about playing. But “Brexit” is far from a salve for “Sherlock” fans anxious for a new season: Toby Haynes’ film examines how data-mining is used to manipulate political campaigns, as well as the ethical fallout of the technology’s implementation. Applicable to far more than British politics, the film looks to serve as a cautionary tale for how money and power can influence those without it, all without their knowledge it’s happening. Oh, and Cumberbatch shaved his head for the role, so enjoy that.

“O.G.”

Release Date: February 23, 2019

Cast: Jeffrey Wright, William Fichtner, Theothus Carter

Writer: Stephen Belber

Director: Madeleine Sackler

Blending fact and fiction, HBO’s upcoming scripted film “O.G.” was shot inside an active maximum-security prison during production of an HBO documentary, “It’s a Hard Truth Ain’t It.” Sackler directed the movie, starring Jeffrey Wright, and co-directed the documentary along with 13 inmates (who also landed small parts in the narrative feature). “O.G.” tracks Louis (Wright) for the last two weeks of his 24-year sentence, as his impending departure is upended by the arrival of a new convict Beecher (Theothus Carter). The new kid on the block gets courted by rival gangs, and though Louis tries to protect him and guide him before he won’t be able to anymore, all of the issues tied to his time behind bars start to stack up and threaten his release. Come for the Emmy-winner Wright, stay for the documentary (which airs shortly after “O.G.” debuts).

“Chernobyl”

Release Date: Early 2019

Cast: Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson, Jessie Buckley, Paul Ritter

Writers: Craig Mazin

Directors: Johan Renck

The lead of 2018’s best limited series is looking to make it two years in a row with “Chernobyl,” HBO’s five-part production inspired by the true story of the 1986 nuclear accident — one of the worst man-made catastrophes in history. Jared Harris (“The Terror”) leads the cast as Valery Legasov, the Soviet scientist chosen by the Kremlin to investigate the accident, while Stellan Skarsgård and Emily Watson will be among the brave men and women who sacrificed their own safety for the betterment of Europe overall. Writer Craig Mazin (“The Huntsman: Winter’s War”) and Swedish director Johan Renck (“The Last Panthers”) are the main creators, while HBO partnered with Sky to bring this epic production to life.

“Big Little Lies” Season 2

Release Date: Spring 2019

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Zoe Kravitz, Adam Scott

Writers: David E. Kelley, Liane Moriarty

Directors: Andrea Arnold

So far, Reese Witherspoon & co. have done a splendid job of silencing skeptics — sure, “Big Little Lies” was originally conceived as a limited series, and yeah, its would-be series finale is one of the more satisfying twist endings ever, but how can any viewer argue against a new version of the show with Meryl Streep added to this already stacked cast? Season 2 promises the greatest actress of her (or any) generation as the vengeful mother-in-law visiting Monterey to wreak havoc on the lives of Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste (Nicole Kidman), Jane (Shailene Woodley), Renata (Laura Dern), and Bonnie (Zoë Kravitz). Plotlines outside of Streep are being kept under wraps, but one Oscar winner is going throw ice cream at another Oscar winner’s head — so get excited.

“Veep” Season 7

Release Date: Spring 2019

Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons, Matt Walsh, Gary Cole, Kevin Dunn, Sam Richardson, Sarah Sutherland, Clea DuVall, Hugh Laurie

Writers: David Mandel, Lewis Morton, Rachel Axler, Frank Rich, more

Directors: Becky Martin, David Mandel, Brad Hall, more

Even with more original scripted programs than ever, last year felt a bit empty without HBO’s scathing political satire, “Veep.” The Emmy-winning comedy took a year off while Julia Louis-Dreyfus recovered from breast cancer treatment, but she’s back and better than ever — and the show may be as well. Wrapping up with a seven-episode final season, David Mandel’s last go-round with Selina Meyer & co. will answer the ultimate question: Can the second choice ever become a true, unblemished victor? The White House may seem out of sight, but that doesn’t mean Selina can’t find satisfaction… or embarrass herself trying.

“Game of Thrones” Season 8

Release Date: April 2019

Cast: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Writers: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Bryan Cogman, and Dave Hill

Directors: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, David Nutter, and Miguel Sapochnik

Who will win? Who will die? Who will be teased as a possible lead character for future spinoffs? The end of “Game of Thrones” is, in fact, an ending, but there are implications at stake for the next phase of HBO, as well. Consisting of six, feature-length episodes, Season 8 is going out in aptly epic style — and setting a high bar for the greenlit prequel series to match, whenever it arrives. But more pressing than the distant future is the immediate future. “Game of Thrones” has the chance to go down as one of the most beloved blockbuster series of all time, but if the series finale misses the mark, there could always be an asterisk next to its populist dominance.

“Catherine the Great”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: Helen Mirren, Jason Clarke, Joseph Quinn, Rory Kinnear

Writer: Nigel Williams

Director: Philip Marti

From the writer of “Elizabeth I,” a prominent director of “The Crown,” and starring the Academy Award winning actress from “The Queen,” “Catherine the Great” is built on royalty even before digging into the powerful subject matter. Chronicling the Russian empress’ 18th century rule, the four-part HBO limited series tackles the scandals plaguing her court and the adverse relationships complicating her life. The episodes mainly cover the end of her reign as well as her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin (Jason Clarke). Given the pedigree, this one should be an awards contender for more than just Mirren.

“The Righteous Gemstones”

Release Date: Fall 2019

Cast: John Goodman, Danny McBride, Adam Devine, Edi Patterson, Cassidy Freeman, Greg Alan Williams

Writer: Danny McBride

Directors: David Gordon Green, Jody Hill

The folks behind “Eastbound and Down” and “Vice Principals” have their sights set on an even more contentious point of Southern pride than baseball and education. Danny McBride, Jody Hill, and David Gordon Green’s “The Righteous Gemstones” tells the story of “a world famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work — all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” John Goodman plays Eli Gemstone, the Patriarch of the family and a world-famous minister who runs a weekly television program and a tight ship around the house. Danny McBride is his eldest son, Jesse, who plans to be his father’s heir while expanding his church for more modern followers, while the rest of the Gemstones deviate from their leader’s wishes only as far as they can.

“Deadwood”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, Molly Parker, Paula Malcomson, John Hawkes, Anna Gunn, Dayton Callie, Brad Dourif, Robin Weigert, William Sanderson, Kim Dickens, Gerald McRaney

Writer: David Milch

Director: Daniel Minahan

Buzzed about since the original series ended in 2006, fans’ demand for more Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), and the whole “Deadwood” crew has only grown. In November, their dreams became a reality: Production is underway on the “Deadwood” movie, one last ride for David Milch’s cult favorite HBO series. All your favorite gunslingers are back — celebrating South Dakota’s statehood after a 10-year break — but precious little more is known about the feature. “True Detective” helmer Nic Pizzolatto helped write the story (uncredited), veteran “Deadwood” (and TV) director Daniel Minahan is behind the camera, and Milch’s vision is one giant step closer to becoming a reality. Get those celebratory pistols ready.

“Lovecraft Country”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: Elizabeth Debicki, Michael K. Williams, Courtney B. Vance, Jamie Harris, Jonathan Majors, Aunjanue Ellis, Wunmi Mosaku, Jurnee Smollet-Bell

Writers: Misha Green, J.J. Abrams, David Knoller, Jordan Peele, Ben Stephenson, Yann Demange

Directors: Yann Demange

With names like J.J. Abrams and Jordan Peele behind the camera and a cast consisting of Elizabeth Debicki and Courtney B. Vance in front of it, “Lovecraft Country” would be a big freakin’ deal no matter where the core story sprang from, but familiarity with Matt Ruff’s 2016 novel of the same name only amps up the excitement. HBO’s hourlong horror/drama series follows sci-fi writer Atticus Black (Jonathan Majors) on a road trip across Jim Crow America during the turbulent 1950s. Black is looking for his missing father, an unbending, personal quest which makes the racist threats perking up around him worth tackling — not to mention the H.P. Lovecraft monsters springing to life all around him. If Abrams handles the sci-fi and Peele influences the racial overtones, “Lovecraft Country” could be an intellectually stimulating blockbuster — a la “Get Out” or “Super 8.”

“His Dark Materials”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: James McAvoy, Ruth Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Clarke Peters, Ariyon Bakare, Archie Barnes, Geoff Bell, Georgina Campbell, James Cosmo, Anne-Marie Duff, Mat Fraser, Daniel Frogson, Ian Gelder, Tyler Howitt, Dafne Keen, Will Keen, Lewin Lloyd, Simon Manyonda, Lucian Msamati

Writers: Jack Thorne, Phillip Pullman, Carolyn Blackwood, Toby Emmerich, Deborah Forte, Julie Gardner, Ben Irving, Bethan Jones, Dan McCulloch, Jane Tranter, Piers Wenger, Laurie Borg

Director: Tom Hooper

Everybody needs a young adult franchise, and HBO has been sorely lacking in teen appeal since launching its millennial-friendly streaming service in 2015. “His Dark Materials” is based on Philip Pullman’s three YA novels and originally developed by the BBC, which already picked up a second season before the first premiered. Though there have been many parallels to Christianity drawn from the text — the story invokes criticism of long-held beliefs — the series primarily tracks two kids who come of age while exploring parallel universes. With a respected brand name (New Line tried launch a franchise with the 2007 film, “The Golden Compass”), respected actors like James McAvoy, Ruth Wilson, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as the confident backing of another network, this seems like a no-brainer pickup for HBO — bring it to the States, see if you can snare some extra subscribers, and maybe it will find another popular franchise to boot.

“Watchmen”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart, Lily Rose Smith, Sara Vickers, Adelaide Clemens, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Frances Fisher, Andrew Howard, Jacob Ming-Trent, Tom Mison, James Wolk

Writers: Damon Lindelof, Tom Spezialy, Lila Byock, Stephen Williams, Joseph E. Iberti

Directors: Nicole Kassell, Steph Green, Andrij Parekh, Stephen Williams

It’s been 10 years since Zack Snyder tried and failed to bring Alan Moore’s heralded graphic novel to the screen, so to celebrate the anniversary, Damon Lindelof isn’t going to do the same thing for TV — he’s forging new ground. HBO’s “Watchmen” series is set in the same world Moore and Dave Gibbons created, but it’s going to be a contemporary story that remixes original elements with new additions, twists, and characters. Little else is known about the plot, but with a cast including Regina King and Jeremy Irons, there’s some serious artists stepping in to make this vision of “Watchmen” as reputable and riveting as the first.

“The New Pope”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: Jude Law, John Malkovich

Writer: Paolo Sorrentino

Director: Paolo Sorrentino

Perhaps the most highly anticipated sequel to an HBO limited series ever — take that “Big Little Lies” — “The New Pope” draws such expectant eyes because of the mystery surrounding it, as well as its presumed predecessor’s magnificent past. And we have to say “presumed” because Paolo Sorrentino won’t confirm “The New Pope” is, in fact, a follow-up to “The Young Pope,” despite Jude Law’s return. The award-winning writer/director waited two years to start production so he could film a two-part, yet-to-be-released-Stateside double-feature (titled “Loro 1” and “Loro 2”). Throw in the peculiar nature of the original series, its ambiguous ending, a new title, and John Malkovich’s yet-to-be-explained presence — is he the new pope? — and suddenly “The New Pope” is building a reputation as intriguing as the original series’. Sign us up.

“Gentleman Jack”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: Suranne Jones, Katherine Kelly, Sofie Gråbøl, Derek Riddell, Veronica Clifford, Sylvia Syms, Brendan Patricks, Caspar Phillipson, Polly Maberly, Lucy Black, Stephanie Hyam, Dino Fetscher, Rupert Vansittart, Michael Xavier, Gemma Whelan, Timothy West, Gemma Jones, Stephanie Cole, Peter Davison, Amelia Bullmore, Vincent Franklin, Shaun Dooley, Joe Armstrong, Rosie Cavaliero

Writer: Sally Wainwright

Directors: Sally Wainwright, Jennifer Perrott

Another co-production between HBO and the BBC, “Gentleman Jack” is an eight-episode limited series set in 1832 Halifax and following landowner Anne Lister (Suranne Jones) as she tries to improve her stature in life — without a man’s assistance. Lister relies on her charisma and dapper dressing (she always wears black) to work her way into polite society, but her master plan involves marrying a wealthy woman; namely, heiress Ann Walker. But the best part of the series is that it’s all based in fact: Wainwright wrote the scripts based on over 4 million words found in Anne Lister’s diaries that were written in code and recently broken. All of this adds up to a unique glimpse into an oft-unacknowledged past.

“Los Espookys”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: Fred Armisen, Bernardo Velasco, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Ana Fabrega, Julio Torres

Writers: Fred Armisen, Ana Fabrega, Julio Torres

Director: Fernando Frias

HBO is looking to expand its foreign-language slate (especially after the success of “My Brilliant Friend”), and one of its most tantalizing 2019 offerings comes from a pair of Americans. Fred Armisen and Lorne Michaels teamed up post-“SNL” to deliver “Los Espookys,” a half-hour comedy told in Spanish and set in modern-day Mexico City (but a “strange and dreamy” version of it). The series is about a group of friends who turn their love of horror into a peculiar business: Bernardo Velasco plays Renaldo, the leader of Los Espookys’ group who’s obsessed with gore. Cassandra Ciangerotti plays Ursula, a dental assistant by day and a monster-maker by night. Ana Fabrega (“The Christ Gethard Show”) plays Tati, Ursula’s sister who’s always working odd jobs, while the rest of the cast is rounded out by the heir to a chocolate empire and a Los Angeleno who only wants to park cars. Silly, genre-based, and from experienced TV producers and creative newcomers alike, “Los Espookys” looks to continue HBO’s international expansion with spooky flair.

Untiled Hagai Levi Series

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: TKTK

Writer: Hagai Levi, Noah Stollman, Rachel Kaplan, Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman, Peter Traugott

Director: Joseph Cedar

After “The Affair” and “In Treatment,” there’s two reasons (at least) to get excited for a new Hagai Levi drama series. This Israel-set and -shot story has been in development for years, based on the true events that led to an outbreak of war in Gaza, but production officially began in early 2018 and all signs point to seeing this foreign-language entry sooner rather than later. Set in the summer of 2014, the untitled series starts with the murder of three Jewish teenagers by Hamas militants and tracks the escalation of events as a Palestinian teenager is found dead only days later. Told from the perspective of Jews and Arabs alike — focusing on the investigation as well as the parents of the slain teenage boy — Levi’s series is a groundbreaking co-production between HBO and Kishet International. So Levi isn’t the only reason to look forward to this one.

“Euphoria”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: Zendaya, Storm Reid, Maude Apatow, Algee Smith, Eric Dane

Writer: Sam Levinson

Director: Augustine Frizzell

After making his directorial debut with the biggest Sundance buy of 2018 (“Assassination Nation”) writer Sam Levinson is turning his talents to television with “Euphoria” — a teen drama adapted from an Israeli series and produced by Drake. Set in a high school and starring “The Greatest Showman” star Zendaya, the 10-episode first season is told from the students’ perspectives as they try to navigate the dangerous modern world of drugs, sex, identity, trauma, social media, love, and friendship. Not much else is known, but after the success of Levinson’s “Wizard of Lies” (starring Robert De Niro), the sky’s the limit for this ongoing endeavor.

“Mrs. Fletcher”

Release Date: TBA 2019

Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Jackson White, Casey Wilson, Owen Teague, Katie Kershaw, Jen Richards

Writers: Tom Perrotta, Jessi Klein, Sarah Condon

Directors: Nicole Holofcener

After a successful first foray into scripted television with “The Leftovers,” Tom Perrotta is adapting another one of his novels for HBO. This time, he’s handling showrunning duties solo, but that doesn’t mean he’s making “Mrs. Fletcher” alone — far from it. Nicole Holofcener, who’s helmed TV episodes of everything from “Enlightened” and “Sex and the City” to “Six Feet Under” and “Orange Is the New Black,” is directing the pilot episode and executive producing, while “Inside Amy Schumer” and “Big Mouth” contributor Jessi Klein and Sarah Condon (“Looking,” “Bored to Death”) are helping tell the story of Eve Fletcher (Kathryn Hahn), a divorced mother of one whose son Brendan (Jackson White) has recently left for college. Now with an empty house, Eve starts exploring more adventures private and public hobbies, exposing herself to new lifestyles and people along the way. Jackson, meanwhile, is a little too easily distracted from his studies, and he may not be the role model for modern young men, like his mother would prefer. “Mrs. Fletcher” ties in big ideas about social media, pornography, and gender roles, all within a half-hour comedy led by awesome women. Looks like Perrotta has another winner on his hands.