18 HBO Original Series to Get Excited About in 2025

‘The Pitt’

Release Date: January 9
Cast: Noah Wyle, Tracey Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, Katherine LaNasa
Creator: R. Scott Gemmill
What’s the Big Deal? Noah Wyle. E.R. Sound familiar? “The Pitt” isn’t officially an “E.R.” sequel or spinoff — although ongoing legal proceedings contend it may have started out that way — but it does bring the former Dr. Carter back to the emergency room in a series created by veteran “E.R.” producer R. Scott Gemmill and produced by original “E.R.” showrunner John Wells. The twist, aside from its Pittsburgh, PA setting and new cast members, is that “The Pitt” plays out in real time: “15 episodes, 15 hours, one shift,” as it says in the trailer. Will counting the seconds be enough to distinguish “The Pitt” from the mega-hit network drama that preceded it? And will fans of the original be curious enough to see Wyle back in scrubs but playing a new doc? Clock in this January to find out.

‘It: Welcome to Derry’

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, Rudy Mancuso, Bill Skarsgård
Showrunners: Jason Fuchs, Brad Caleb Kane
What’s the Big Deal? Pennywise is back. After two blockbuster movies, Stephen King’s “It” franchise takes its toys to TV with this nine-episode prequel series from co-showrunners Jason Fuchs (“Argylle”) and Brad Caleb Kane (“Tokyo Vice”), which will delve into the killer clown’s origin story. Inspired by the “interludes” in King’s original book, “Welcome to Derry” follows Mike Hanlon’s attempts to find the root of It’s arrival in Derry, dating back to a tragedy in the 1960s at a nightclub known as the Black Spot. With a cast including Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige — plus the return of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise — “Welcome To Derry” promises a new story with at least one familiar face — not that It will offer anyone any comfort.

‘Task’

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Raúl Castillo, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Owen Teague, Mickey Sumner, Elvis Nolasco, Martha Plimpton, Mireille Enos
Creator: Brad Ingelsby
What’s the Big Deal? Four years after “Mare of Easttown,” creator Brad Ingelsby is back in Pennsylvania — not for Season 2, but with a new HBO crime drama led by Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo. The limited series follows an FBI task force assigned to put an end to a string of drug-house robberies in Philadelphia’s working-class suburbs, carried out by an unsuspecting family man. With an enviable cast including “The Underground Railroad” breakout Thuso Mbedu, “CODA” breakout Emilia Jones, and “Conversations with Friends” breakout Alison Oliver — in addition to established draws in Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Mireille Enos, and Martha Plimpton — “Task” looks to recapture “Mare’s” verisimilitude, tension, and drama.

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Tanzyn Crawford, Daniel Ings, Sam Spruell
Creator: George R.R. Martin
What’s the Big Deal? It’s HBO’s second “Game of Thrones” spinoff, and after the success of “House of the Dragons,” the pressure is… off? Sure, George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series represents HBO’s biggest franchise to date, and the network would love to keep fans frothing over each new entry by delivering yet another buzzy spinoff. But “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” doesn’t carry the weight of the franchise on its back — at least, not in the same way. For one, it’s a story of friendship, about “a naïve but courageous knight and his diminutive squire.” For another, it’s based on Martin’s novellas, “Tales of Dunk and Egg,” which exist within the “Song of Ice and Fire” saga but tell their own story, set 90 years before the events of “Game of Thrones.” Rather than giving fans more of the same (as “House of the Dragon” has done so far), “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” could walk its own path — and see just how far outside the “Game of Thrones” mold fans are willing to travel.

‘The Chair Company’

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Tim Robinson, Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Will Price, Joseph Tudisco, Lou Diamond Phillips
Creators: Tim Robinson, Zach Kanin
What’s the Big Deal? The team behind “I Think You Should Leave” is making an HBO comedy series, and for converts of the acclaimed Netflix sketch series — not to mention the modern cult classic “Detroiters” — there’s no bigger 2025 premiere than this. Details are scarce regarding Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin’s latest project, but we know Robinson stars as William Ronald Trosper, a man who suffers “an embarrassing incident at work” and becomes embroiled in “a far-reaching conspiracy” (both quotes per the official logline). “The Chair Company” co-stars Lake Bell as Barb Trosper and… that’s pretty much all we know! And all we need to know! It’s the event of the century!!

‘Duster’

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Rachel Hilson, Josh Holloway, Keith David, Sydney Elizabeth, Greg Grunberg, Camille Guaty, Asivak Koostachin, Adriana Aluna Martinez, Benjamin Charles Watson
Creators: J.J. Abrams, LaToya Morgan
What’s the Big Deal? The last TV episode to air with J.J. Abrams as a credited writer was the “Fringe” finale in 2013. Since then, he’s toyed around with “Star Wars” and reintroduced “Westworld,” but he hasn’t written a TV show — until “Duster.” Abrams co-wrote the first two episodes with fellow E.P. LaToya Morgan (“Into the Badlands,” “TURN”), which follow the first Black female FBI agent as she recruits a getaway driver to help take down an emergent Southwestern crime syndicate in 1972. In the press release for the series’ pick-up, Abrams described the show as “wild, wily, and wacky,” while HBO’s head of original content, Sarah Aubrey, promised “some truly bad-ass car chases.” Count us in for the fun.

‘Untitled Rachel Sennott Series’

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Rachel Sennott, Odessa A’zion, Jordan Firstman, Miles Robbins, True Whitaker
Creator: Rachel Sennott
What’s the Big Deal? Following the back-to-back indie successes of “Shiva Baby” and “Bottoms,” the star and producer of both films is taking her talents to TV with an untitled HBO comedy series about “a codependent friend group” that reunites after some time apart. Little else is known about the show, but expect plenty of Lena Dunham/”Girls” comparisons in the coming months, as HBO looks to pair a buzzy comic talent with a series that speaks directly to her generation. Perhaps more significantly: Lorene Scafaria (“Hustlers,” “Succession”) directs the pilot — the potential here is through the roof.

‘Harley Quinn’ Season 5

Release Date: January 16
Cast: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, James Adomian, Diedrich Bader, Ron Funches, Stephen Fry, Natalie Morales, JB Smoove, Alan Tudyk, Aisha Tyler
Creators: Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, Dean Lorey
What’s the Big Deal? The estimable animated comedy returns and, in keeping with the theme of DC’s big summer relaunch, Season 5 takes place in Superman’s territory. Harley and Ivy make the move to Metropolis, where Lux Luthor, his sister Lena Luthor, and Braniac are stirring up trouble. Romantic and astute, absurd and action-packed, “Harley Quinn” has long proven itself as one of the best Bat-branded properties out there, as well as one of TV’s boldest and most invigorating comedies. There’s no reason to expect anything less from a super Season 5.

‘The White Lotus’ Season 3

Release Date: February 16
Creator: Mike White
Cast: Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, Aimee Lou Wood, Scott Glenn
What’s the Big Deal? With 15 Emmy wins in two seasons and a vice grip on the zeitgeist, Mike White’s satiric seasonal anthology checks in for its third luxury vacation hotter than Thailand in the dead of summer — which is fitting, because Season 3 takes place in the Southeast Asian kingdom when the only thing more stifling than the temperature is the clientele (namely, their tempers). Taking place over the course of a week at the titular luxury resort’s Thai outpost, “The White Lotus” Season 3 stars Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Parker Posey, Michelle Monaghan, Aimee Lou Wood, Scott Glenn, and the welcome return of Natasha Rothwell, who we last saw in Season 1 getting dined and disappointed by Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge). What silk-stocking shenanigans the guests will get up to remains under wraps, but the mystery is always part of the fun when it comes to White’s shrewd dissections of power and privilege.

‘The Last of Us’ Season 2

Release Date: April 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, Young Mazino, Isabela Merced, Danny Ramirez, Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, Spencer Lord, Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Wright
Creators: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
What’s the Big Deal? When “The Last of Us” premiered in January 2023, Craig Mazin’s adaptation of Neil Druckmann’s beloved video game franchise brought zombie TV roaring back to life. (Apologies to “The Walking Dead” die-hards out there.) Fans old and new flocked to the emotional saga of a determined smuggler tasked with protecting a teenage girl as they made their way across a United States filled with “clickers” (fungal-infected zombies), in the hopes that the right people could study her immunity, find a cure, and start to rebuild society. But along the way, the highs and lows of humanity were cast in beautiful and painful relief, as Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) made friends, enemies, and everything in between. In Season 2, their “collective past catches up with them, drawing them into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.” More dangerous? More unpredictable? Are we sure we want to rush down the zombie-hole again?

‘And Just Like That…’ Season 3

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Sarita Choudhury, Rosie O’Donnell, Dolly Wells, Sebastiano Pigazzi, Logan Marshall-Green, Mehcad Brooks, Jonathan Cake
Showrunner: Michael Patrick King
What’s the Big Deal? Che Diaz is gone, Dr. Nya Wallace is, too, and Aidan should be, save for Carrie’s batshit plan to pause their relationship for five years. “And Just Like That” has been a roller-coaster over two seasons, where the lows are stomach-churning and the highs so fleeting it’s hard to remember if they really happened. But the “Sex and the City” sequel has been entertaining, driving plenty of online chatter and positioning itself as appointment viewing for the clinically deranged (myself very much included). Post Che, can Michael Patrick King conjure another cultural lightning rod? Can Carrie find a new boyfriend instead of a nostalgic fantasy? Can “And Just Like That” steady the ship? Whether you hope so or hope not, you’re going to have to see for yourself.

‘Peacemaker’ Season 2

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick
Creator: James Gunn
What’s the Big Deal? James Gunn has higher priorities this year than the second season of “Peacemaker” — like rebooting the DC cinematic universe — but the debut season of John Cena’s “Suicide Squad” spinoff was such a pleasant surprise (way back in January 2022), its return feels oddly comforting. Just let the big man cut loose, and audiences should be happy. Sure, bringing on Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. (reprising his voice role from “Creature Commandos”) is a nice bonus, and casting Tim Meadows is never a bad idea, but “Peacemaker” can likely thrive without adding too many big moves to its dance card. Leave the heavy stuff for Superman.

‘Hacks’ Season 4

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Megan Stalter, Paul W. Downs, Rose Abdoo, Mark Indelicato
Creators: Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky
What’s the Big Deal? Deborah Vance has a late-night show, and her head writer blackmailed her way into the gig. Does it get much spicier than that? Maybe, but “Hacks” has a knack not only for crafting tantalizing finale teases but delivering on them in the following seasons. Seeing Deborah and Ava working together on a national stage, night after night, with professional and personal tension at peak conditions is a premise strong enough to sustain its own show, not just a new season. We can’t wait to see how “Hacks” — riding high after its first Emmy win for Best Comedy Series — can come through yet again.

‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, Taissa Farmiga, Harry Richardson, Blake Ritson, Thomas Cocquerel, Simon Jones, Jack Gilpin, Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski
Creator: Julian Fellowes
What’s the Big Deal? What fate will befall Jack and his dreams of patenting a reliable alarm clock?!! I’m kidding — kind of. “The Gilded Age” has built its first two seasons of upstairs-downstairs melodrama around crises as serious as a deadly train derailment and as silly as the temperature of soup. But with a cast this strong, costumes this ornate, and an atmosphere this soothing, Julian Fellowes’ has concocted a casually entertaining “Downton Abbey” successor that manages to get us all worked up over matters as miniscule as a clock’s hands.

‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Season 4

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Danny McBride, Adam DeVine, Edi Patterson, John Goodman, Tony Cavalero, Cassidy Freeman, Greg Alan Williams, Tim Baltz, Skyler Gisondo, Jennifer Nettles, Walton Goggins
Creator: Danny McBride
What’s the Big Deal? Four words: Baby Billy’s Bible Bonkers. If you know, you know.

‘The Rehearsal’ Season 2

Release Date: TBA 2025 (confirmed)
Cast: Nathan Fielder
Creator: Nathan Fielder
What’s the Big Deal? The best show of 2022 is back for a second season, and it’s just as hard to imagine what these new episodes might look like as it was to picture the original run, sight unseen. Presumably, Nathan Fielder and his laptop strap will be back, helping ordinary people rehearse for real-life challenges ahead, but how will his experience in Season 1 affect his approach? And how much has Fielder (the character) grown from his brief time as a parent? There’s no telling what to expect, and that’s half the thrill of “The Rehearsal.” Even when you think you’re ready, you’re not.

‘Untitled Steve Carell Project’

Release Date: TBA 2025/2026 (unconfirmed)
Cast: Steve Carell, Phil Dunster, Charley Clive
Creator: Bill Lawrence, Matt Tarses
What’s the Big Deal? Whenever Steve Carell returns to TV, it’s going to be a big deal, but this project is more than just a star vehicle. The untitled comedy comes from “Ted Lasso” showrunner Bill Lawrence and co-stars “Lasso” breakout Phil Dunster. Matt Tarses, a long-time collaborator with Lawrence, serves as co-creator, and Charley Clive is onboard as the third series regular. Given a straight-to-series order at HBO, the series is set on a college campus and tracks an author’s complicated relationship with is daughter. No release timeline has been given, but the writers’ room began in October 2024, with shooting expected to begin in early 2025, so we’re hopeful the series can make it to air in late 2025/early 2026.

‘First Day on Earth’

Release Date: TBA 2025/2026 (unconfirmed)
Cast: Michaela Coel
Writer/EP: Michaela Coel
What’s the Big Deal? In her first new series since the critical smash “I May Destroy You,” Michaela Coel writes, produces, and stars in “First Day on Earth,” a drama co-produced by the BBC and A24. The series follows Henri (Coel), a British novelist who takes a job in Ghana, West Africa to jumpstart her career and reconnect with her dad, who lives there. But neither one of her professional or personal plans go as expected, and she’s forced to adapt on the fly. “First Day on Earth” also features “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong as an EP, which makes for quite a creative pairing, even if Coel’s is the only name we need to hear to tune in. Filming is expected to begin early this year, so there’s reason to hope we’ll see the series before the year is out.

What’s Slated for 2026

“Euphoria” Season 3 (fingers crossed)

“House of the Dragon” Season 3

“Industry” Season 4

Untitled “Harry Potter” Series

“Lanterns”

“DTF St. Louis”