HBO Maxhas been the home of post-apocalyptic video game adaptation hits, glamorous New York affairs, and super-powered conflicts, but some of their series are still underrated. The platform launched in 2020 as the streaming home of manyHBO showsand other productions made under Warner Bros.
Across its lifespan, HBO Max has become the subject of many controversies. From being entangled in Warner Bros. Discovery’s discarding of programmes, name changes, and shifts in theatrical movie schedules, the platform has seen itself undergo several shifts. Nevertheless,HBO Max has still offered several great showsand continues to have an impressive catalog.
5Love & Death
Released In 2023
After dominating the big screen and Disney+ through her portrayal of complicated Avenger Wanda Maximoff in theMCU, 2023 saw Elizabeth Olsen take on an even more complex role inLove & Death. Created by David E. Kelley, the HBO Max biographical drama delved intothe real-world case of Candy Montgomery, whom Olsen portrayed.
Beginning in 1978, Wylie, Texas, Montgomery finds herself becoming dissatisfied with her life, leading to her sparking an affair with fellow churchgoer Allan Gore (Jesse Plemons). Despite their initial passion, their relationship ends in bloodshed, with Candy then doing her best to assert her innocence through the trial, despite mounting evidence against her.
WhileLove & Deathis not the first piece of media to tackle Candy Montgomery’s story, it has earned acclaim for its portrayal of the individuals involved, notably Olsen’s take on Montgomery herself. Both the leading star and Plemons found themselves nominated for several awards following its release, including a Golden Globe nomination for Olsen.
Furthermore, upon release,Love & Deathmarked a major turning point for HBO Max itself, as the programme became the platform’s most-watched original limited series across the globe. As such, even two years after its release,Love & Deathstill stands out among other recent dramatic true crime retellings.
4Our Flag Means Death
Released 2022 - 2023
While the Straw Hats ofOne Piecemay be setting sail for new adventures on Netflix, 2022 saw HBO Max introduce a very different crew of pirates inOur Flag Means Death. Created by David Jenkins and produced by Taika Waititi, the romantic comedy followed hapless Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) as he traded his well-off life for the high seas.
Despite his enthusiasm and good intentions when handling his crew of misfit pirates, Stede’s voyage brings him into several dangers, ranging from childhood bullies to the ire of the dreaded Captain Blackbeard (Waititi). However, Stede and Blackbeard, otherwise known as Ed, soon discover they share far deeper feelings.
Our Flag Means Deathis more than a well-written comedy that embraces all corners of pirate history, from accurate depictions of pirate conduct to incorporating real-world figures. It also stands as one of the most celebrated pieces of recent LGBTQ+ media. Alongside Stede and Ed, the cast comprises several queer characters and handles their journeys respectfully.
Furthermore,Our Flag Means Deathwill not mark Jenkin’s final project with HBO Max. The writer was tapped to develop a pilot and potentially serve asshowrunner forBooster Gold, a new DC Universe (DCU) production focused on the beloved time-traveller.
3It’s A Sin
Released In 2021
Doctor Who’s Russell T Daviesdeveloped several notable projects outside of the popular British franchise, including LGBTQ+ comedy dramaCucumberand sci-fi dystopia taleYears and Years. However, what stands out most among his works of this period is the 2021 dramaIt’s A Sin.
A co-production between HBO Max and Channel 4,It’s A Sinexplores the lives of a group of gay men and their friends in the 1980s, as they find one another after discovering their identities and live together in the flat that they name The Pink Palace. However, things turn dire as the HIV/AIDS crisis hits the UK.
Though the writer may be best known for his contributions toDoctor Whoby many,It’s A Sinis easilyone of Davies' most celebrated projects. The mini-series quickly gets viewers invested in its cast’s lives through grounded and relatable set pieces, showing them striking out on their own, which makes their future trials and tragedies all the more heartbreaking.
Alongside Davies' gripping writing and the directing ofThe Last of UsandDoctor Who’s Peter Hoar,It’s A Sinis also strengthened by a talented cast. Callum Scott Howells, Omari Douglas, and Nathaniel Curtis shine, but Olly Alexander and Lydia West stand out through their portrayals of Ritchie and Jill, whose bond forms the heart of the miniseries.
2Creature Commandos
2024 - Ongoing
Audiences recently witnessed the dawn of a new world as James Gunn’sSuperman hittheatres. However, this was not the first chapter of the DCU, as 2024 saw the franchise’s first installment launch withCreature Commandos, an adult-animated series set in the world that introduced several key elements and comic favorites.
Set before the events of the 2025 movie and connecting to events intially depicted inThe Suicide Squad,Creature Commandosfocuses on Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), as he takes leadership of Task Force M. Rather than human supervillains, this squad is composed of often misunderstood monsters, including The Bride (Indira Varma), Nina Mazursky (Zoe Chao), and Doctor Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk).
Much likePeacemaker,Creature Commandoshelped lay out the foundations thatSupermanand the rest of the DCU would be built on. Alongside building on Gunn’s previous DC productions and incorporating their characters and events into his newly rebooted franchise, the series introduced key players, notably Flag Sr., whom Grillo reprised inSupermanand will play inPeacemakerseason 2.
As such, for those who enjoyedSuperman’shighly celebrated return to the big screen and look forward toPeacemaker’snext chapter, now is the perfect time to dive intoCreature Commandos. As he did with the Guardians of the Galaxy and Task Force X, Gunn humanises these outlandish characters into an endearing and lovable found family, without compromising on humor.
1The Gilded Age
2022 - Ongoing
Though the doors may have closed onDownton Abbey’s television outings in 2015, Julian Fellowes set his sights on a new age in 2022, embarking on a new voyage withThe Gilded Age. Set in the bustling 1882 New York social scene,The Gilded Agefollows young Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson)as she enters these new dynamics.
ThroughoutThe Gilded Age’s first three seasons, Marian’s life has drawn attention to the rise of industrialism-fueled New Money wealth as it collides with the inherited Old Money families, as wealthy and powerful individuals grapple with the status quo. The series provides a similar appeal to what could be found inDownton Abbey, making it a worthy successor.
While it can be comparable to Fellowes' previous historical hit in terms of theme,The Gilded Ageis far from a simple retread of what came before. Between its dedication to costuming and the performances of its stars, including Carrie Coon and Christine Baranski, the series has been a favorite at award ceremonies for several years.
The Gilded Ageseason 3 has just wrapped onHBO Max, meaning that viewers wishing to binge the entire series can dive into the story and watch it from its beginning to the latest chapter. And the good news is thatThe Gilded Agehas been renewed for season 4.
