HBO Max – quick links
HBO Max: new this week
The Prince – 1 January
Series. The Prince, created by Gary Janetti, is an animated comedy that satirically imagines the inner workings of the royal family through the eyes of a fictionalised Prince George, the youngest heir to the throne.
From spilling royal ‘tea’ to skewering palace protocol, George offers a mischievous and unfiltered look at his family, their followers, and the monarchy at large. With a star-studded voice cast, the series delivers an outlandishly funny, warm, and singular parody of life inside Buckingham Palace.
Janetti leads the ensemble as Prince George, joined by Orlando Bloom as Prince Harry, Alan Cumming as George’s loyal butler Owen, Frances de la Tour as Queen Elizabeth, Lucy Punch as Kate Middleton, Condola Rashad as Meghan Markle, Iwan Rheon as Prince William, Dan Stevens as Prince Charles, and Sophie Turner as Princess Charlotte.
The Cult of the Real Housewife – 2 January
Series. This special looks at allegations made about The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star, Mary Cosby, and the claims that the church she heads is actually a cult.
HBO Max: recently added
Happy And You Know It – 26 December
Documentary film. A joyful and surprising journey into the fascinating – and at times insidious – world of toddler pop. The film explores why kids’ music is so catchy, why it can be deeply meaningful, and how AI is taking hold and shaping the industry.
The film features appearances by The Wiggles, Laurie Berkner and other musicians.
Common Side Effects – 16 December
Series. A new anime-influenced animated series from the US, Common Side Effects follows former high school lab partners Marshall and Frances who begin to unravel a conspiracy involving big pharma and the federal government to suppress knowledge of a rare mushroom that may hold the key to curing all the world’s diseases.
Haha, You Clowns – 16 December
Series. Created by Joe Cappa, Haha, You Clowns is an unexpected new series from Adult Swim that celebrates wholesome family programming. Join the Campbell boys, three doting teenagers, and their tenderhearted dad, as they live, laugh, love their way into your living rooms.
They’re big dudes with big feelings who are learning to navigate life in the wake of their mother’s death, sensing her presence in everyday adventures.
Outsiders Seasons 1-3 – 8 December
Series. Six comedians in the wilderness – will anyone thrive in the wild? Outsiders is a comedy series in which David Mitchell challenges three pairs of comedians to spend a week living in a forest where they learn new life skills to see which of them can best cope in the wild.
Each day is a separate show, with three distinct survival challenges, such as felling a 40-foot tree, milking goats or building a shelter. Mitchell chooses to return to his home comforts every evening rather than living in the forest, as he does not believe he is remotely equipped to survive post-apocalypse, and he is sceptical that any comedians will thrive. But can they prove him wrong?
Sarah Squirm: Live + In The Flesh – 13 December
Special. Sarah Sherman’s unholy alter ego Sarah Squirm slithers onto your screen this December with her first stand-up special. After four seasons (and counting) on Saturday Night Live, Sherman rips off the straitjacket, unleashing a festering hour of bodily fluids, open-wound confessionals and jokes that will leave skid marks on your soul. The special was taped at The Bell House in Brooklyn, New York earlier this year.
Heated Rivalry – from 28 November
Series. Two-episode premiere, followed by weekly episodes, same day as the US (six episodes). Created by award-winning Canadian writer-director-producer Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny, Shoresy) and adapted from Rachel Reid’s best-selling Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry chronicles the story of rival hockey players Shane and Ilya.
What starts as a secret fling ignites into an all-consuming blaze, culminating in a powerful love story. Watch the trailer.
