This Season's Must-See Programs on HBO Max

HBO Max launched with a distinct advantage over Disney and Apple TV, as it has access to Warner Bros.'s extensive library of content in addition to its own flagship original series like Love Life and The Flight Attendant. legacy – in this case, the decades of fantastic film and television production On the television side, this is especially thrilling because the prestige network that makes up half of this service's name means that a plethora of exciting series will be available to subscribers.

Many television series have also been in a state of streaming limbo for some time. Thanks to an agreement between Warner and the BBC, some of these shows, including Doctor Who and the original version of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's The Office, will soon be available on HBO Max. It's possible that you were unaware that Friends and Pretty Little Liars were both produced by Warner Bros. , because of the structure of contracts between broadcasters and production companies In a nutshell, HBO Max is full of excellent television programs.

Listed below are more than 50 of the finest shows you can watch right now on HBO Max, with an emphasis on the HBO original series that have earned the network countless Emmys. And that's just the beginning; the service has already confirmed the addition of a plethora of other classic series, and there are a number of exciting originals in the works that we hope will be completed in time to join this list.

Check out our lists of the best HBO movies, best HBO drama movies, and best HBO horror movies for more suggestions.

Editor's Note: This post was revised on January 13 to reflect the addition of Velma.

The Winding Staircase (2022)

By Antonio Campos (inspired by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's The Staircase)

Colin Firth, Toni Collette, Michael Stuhlbarg, Dane DeHaan, Olivia DeJonge.

It was a story ripped from the headlines that went largely unnoticed at the time it happened: aspiring politician and novelist Michael Peterson found his wife Kathleen dead at the foot of the stairs in their Durham home. Many wild and unlikely speculations were made about who or what could have killed her. The new HBO miniseries isn't a slavish adaptation of Lestrade's acclaimed documentary, but it does make use of elements from it. With the director becoming an integral part of the story, the film is a compelling watch thanks to the performances of Colin Firth (who disappears into the role of Michael Peterson) and Toni Collette (who gives Kathleen Peterson surprising depth and humanity before she passes away). The best way to experience this series is to watch it alongside the original documentary. To quote: - Carly L. Lane

Attend on HBO Max.

Charlie Grandy and Mindy Kaling are responsible for the creation of this work.

Mindy Kaling, Constance Wu, Sam Richardson, Ming-Na Wen are the stars.

Mindy Kaling (Ocean's 8) provides the voice for the title character in the Scooby-Doo spinoff series Velma, aimed at an adult audience. Velma, which Kaling co-created with Charlie Grandy (The Mindy Project) is a high school-set prequel to the original mystery solving duo. Velma is a darker series that, despite its target demographic, often treads in the same hilariously vulgar territory as Harley Quinn. With Constance Wu as Daphne and Sam Richardson as Shaggy, Velma features a diverse cast that updates the traditionally white characters. – Yael Tygiel

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Author: Trixie Mattel

Members of the cast include Trixie Mattel, Dani Dazey, David Silver, Brandon Lim, and David Rios.

The popular drag queen Trixie Mattel stars in this spin-off of RuPaul's Drag Race as she tries to turn a dilapidated Palm Springs motel into a hip tourist destination. Based on her real-life investments, Trixie Motel is a docuseries in which the performer reveals her passions and ambitions for the growth of her business. The first season of Trixie Motel features the superstar cast transforming the motel into a retro-kitschy ultimate drag paradise with the help of friends and guest stars like Nicole Byer and Zooey Deschanel, as well as the loving and supportive motel co-owner David Silver. Asserted by: Yael Tygiel

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Lucy Prebble and Billie Piper are the creators.

Billie Piper, Leila Farzad, Daniel Ings, etc.

The three-part holiday special I Hate Suzie Too is a cheeky continuation of the story from the critically acclaimed series of the same name. I Hate Suzie Too, the second season of the series, delves into the persistent hostility the title character faces as she gets ready to appear on a dance-themed reality show broadcast on national television. I Hate Suzie Too, starring Billie Piper (Catherine, Called Birdy) of "Doctor Who" fame, was co-created by Piper and her Secret Diary of a Call Girl showrunner, Lucy Prebble, based on their "sincere trust" in one another and their dedication to working together over the course of many years. Name: Yael Tygiel

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Diallo Riddle, Bashir Salahuddin, Sultan Salahuddin

Performers include Sultan Salahuddin, Kareme Young, Quincy Young, and Chandra Russell.

Diallo Riddle, Bashir Salahuddin, and Sultan Salahuddin created the hilarious and realistic sitcom South Side, in which they also star alongside Kareme Young, Chandra Russell, and Quincy Young. In the first season of South Side, two recent community college grads tried to start a business in Chicago's South Side. South Side is an ode to Chicago; the movie was shot almost entirely there, and its characters and plot developed as the city did. South Side is a show that revels in its own truth, both the truth of its creators and the truth of its stars. Asserted by: Yael Tygiel

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Authors: Bilal Baig & Fab Filippo

Performed by Bilal Baig, Amanda Cordner, and Grace Lynn Kung

Sort Of, created by Fab Filippo and starring Bilal Baig, examines the wonderful fluidity of gender and sexuality through the hilariously relevant lens of millennial culture. Canadian comedy series Sort Of deftly explores complex ideas about one's own and society's expectations of one another in its central plots. An attractively diverse cast includes Baig, Amanda Cordner, Grace Lynn Kung (Star Trek: Discovery), and Supinder Wraich. Sort Of is a comedy with heart that takes a wry look at societal and familial trauma. The Yael Tygiel Effect

The HBO Channel

Lucille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, and Rick Fox are in this.

Shaq is a four-part documentary series about the legendary basketball player Shaquille O'Neal, in which his friends and coworkers share intimate, previously untold stories about Shaq's life and career. Supported by his siblings and his mother, Lucille O'Neal, Shaq lets the man tell his own life story. Despite the fact that the docuseries Shaq features high-profile celebrities and athletes like NBA Champion Dwyane Wade and Rick Fox, the series also makes an effort to show an honest and vulnerable side of the sports icon. Yael Tygiel

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Joshua Safran is responsible for its inception.

Performers include: Jordan Alexander, Whitney Peak, Tavi Gevinson, and Eli Brown

Gossip Girl, a new take on the popular teen series that ran on The CW for a decade, returns to HBO Max with a fresh perspective from Generation Z on the lives of New York City's upper class. The new version is just as sleek, sexy, and scandalous as the original, but it centers on influencer Julien (Jordan Alexander) rather than Serena and is told through Instagram. Gossip Girl has its finger on the pulse of the current, making it feel both more relevant and fun than ever with its discussions of sexuality, class, and politics and its abundance of pop culture references. Gates, Taylor

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Writer: Armando Iannucci

Hugh Laurie, Josh Gad, Zach Woods, Rebecca Front

Hugh Laurie stars in this science fiction comedy. Sign us up The Avenue 5 is a space-based comedy that is both hilarious and incredibly realistic. Both the ship's billionaire owner (Josh Gad) and captain (Laurie) are inept, so it's up to them to get everyone back home safely after a tragic event on an interplanetary cruise. Avenue 5 is a silly, funny, and sometimes even philosophical series with cleverly written jokes and juicy dramatic tension. Gates, Taylor

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Akiva Goldsman, Geoff Johns, and Greg Berlanti created it.

Brenton Thwaites, Anna Diop, Teagan Croft, and Ryan Potter star in this.

Titans follows a group of young superheroes fighting evil and is based on Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani's comic Teen Titans. Character development and interpersonal dynamics get high marks, and the show's ability to successfully blend comedy and darkness is also lauded. Titans is a wonderful addition to the expanding DC Universe, managing to be both grim and hilarious. Taylor Gates

Streaming on HBO Max.

Responsibility for the work rests with Dan Levy.

Members of the cast: Sohla El-Waylly, Will Guidara, and Dan Levy

Dan Levy, co-creator of the critically acclaimed comedy series Schitt's Creek, has returned with a brand new series called The Big Brunch, which is, surprisingly, a cooking competition. Levy, along with chefs Sohla El-Waylly and Will Guidara, can give 10 chefs a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity thanks to The Big Brunch. For the chance at $300,000, these contestants will have to share not only their stories but also their expertise. Food is used as a tool for social good in Levy's show, so it's more than just a taste competition. The Big Brunch honors the uniqueness and originality of each guest while also showcasing delectable dishes. To: Yael Tygiel

Go to HBO Max to see it.

The authors of this work are Mickey Down and Konrad Kay.

Myha'la Herrold, Marisa Abela, Harry Lawtey, David Jonsson are among the actors featured.

Five recent college grads are followed by the business world as they compete for a handful of jobs at a prestigious London investment bank. New Yorker Harper (Myha'la Herrold) embellishes her credentials to get ahead; gay Eton and Oxford grad Gus (David Jonsson); blue-collar Robert (Harry Lawtey); and upper-class Yasmin (Marisa Abela) round out the cast. All of them face unique challenges, but they share the need to avoid succumbing to the weight of the position's expectations. Critics have praised the show's sharp writing and excellent soapy ensemble. -- Taylor Gates

The show is available on HBO Max.

Made by: Anna Fricke

Jared Padalecki, Lindsey Morgan, Molly Hagan, and Keegan Allen are among the stars in the cast.

Walker is a western drama starring Jared Padalecki from Supernatural. It is a reboot of the 1990s show Walker, Texas Ranger. Padalecki stars as the title character, a widowed Texas ranger named Cordell Walker who returns home after an extended undercover assignment. He has trouble getting along with his new partner and his children, and he is suspicious of the circumstances surrounding his wife's death, all of which make things more difficult for him. I'm sorry, Taylor Gates

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Invented by: Quinta Brunson

Members of the cast include Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

In 2022, Abbott Elementary was honored with several Emmys, including Outstanding Writing and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Outstanding Supporting Actress. Abbott Elementary is one of the best comedies of recent years because it centers on a group of educators at a low-income school in Philadelphia. Janine (Quinta Brunson), a young woman with a lot of drive, Barbara (Ralph), an older mentor, a tough but good-hearted woman named Melissa, a nerd named Jacob (Chris Perfetti), and a carefree principal named Ava (Janelle James) round out a diverse cast. There's also Gregory, the substitute teacher (Tyler James Williams), who wants to be principal (and maybe with Janine). Abbott Elementary is one of those comedies that never fails to put a smile on your face and make you laugh out loud. Gates, Taylor

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Developed by: Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec

Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder star.

The entire eight-season run of The Vampire Diaries is now available to watch online on HBO Go. Created using the works of L J Smith, the plot centers on a young woman, Elena Gilbert, who develops feelings for a vampire, Stefan Salvatore. Despite being aimed at young adults, this show has all the makings of a gripping supernatural drama.

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Jack Thorne, the Author

Performers include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amir Wilson, Ruth Wilson, and Dafne Keen.

A film adaptation of the best-selling book series, His Dark Materials stars Dafne Keen as Lyra, a girl who lives in a parallel universe to our own. Daemons are the animal companions that human souls take on in Lyra's world. They are bound to the physical form of their owner and can never leave. In His Dark Materials, Lyra embarks on a fantastic journey across dimensions after discovering a series of mysterious secrets over the course of two seasons. The beautiful visuals of the series bring to life the intriguing philosophical questions and fantastical worlds introduced in Philip Pullman's novels. Compared to the disappointing film adaptation of The Golden Compass, His Dark Materials is a welcome change. Yael Tygiel

Catch it on HBO Max.

The Author, Ryan J. George R. Condal R Martin

Paddy Considine, Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, and Rhys Ifans are the main actors.

House of the Dragon, a prequel series to Game of Thrones, is set two centuries earlier. House of the Dragon, which follows the Targaryen family and the people of Westeros, delves into the mythology before the beloved characters that viewers watched for six seasons on Game of Thrones. Invented by George R.R. Martin, R Martin, with veteran science fiction and fantasy producer Ryan J. Matt Smith (Doctor Who) and Rhys Ifans (The King's Man), a veritable walking encyclopedia of roles, both appear in Condal, House of the Dragon. Beautifully written, House of the Dragon delves even further into the history of Game of Thrones' fantastical world. Author: Yael Tygiel

You can catch it on HBO Max.

Doug Ellin, the author.

Comprised of: Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, and Jeremy Piven

The sleazier side of the film industry is examined in the hilarious comedy Entourage. Doug Ellin's cherished and hilarious satire centers on a fictional actor named Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier) and the people in his life, such as his friends, agents, and fellow celebrities. Entourage's exaggerated style, full of snappy dialogue, inspired and cautioned a generation with its story about the shallow Los Angeles elite. Entourage's quotable quips and memorable cameos helped the show break into the mainstream, and Jeremy Piven's (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For) performance as the scheming agent Ari Gold made it an instant classic. Yael Tygiel

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Composed by: Nathan Fielder

Participating: Nathan Fielder

One of the funniest and most original people working today is Nathan Fielder. The Rehearsal, from the same creator as the hit comedy docuseries Nathan for You, has a similar tone but an entirely new premise. The former aided companies, while Fielder's The Rehearsal aids individuals by allowing them to practice socially awkward and otherwise disastrous scenarios. The Rehearsal is one of the best new shows of 2022 thanks to its ingenuity, originality, and laugh-out-loud humor, and it has a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Gates, Taylor

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Marti Noxon is responsible for its conception.

Members of the cast include: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, and Eliza Scanlen

Sharp Objects, adapted from a novel by Gillian Flynn (who also wrote Gone Girl), is a riveting thriller highlighted by a stellar performance from Amy Adams. Camille Preaker, played by Adams, is a traumatized reporter who goes back to her hometown to investigate the murders of two young women. When Camille returns to Wind Gap, she is confronted with her mother Adora's (Patricia Clarkson) cruel treatment of her and other ghosts from her childhood. Jean-Marc Vallee, the mind behind films like "Big Little Lies," directs the show expertly, adding to the already stellar acting. Gates, Taylor

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