The Last Of Us premieres today (February 26) and introduces a new but important character.Created by Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and the original game’s co-creator Neil Druckmann, The Last Of Us follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) 20 years after modern civilisation has been ravaged by a deadly infection.So far, the pair have encountered a variety of different characters, with the likes of Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Nick Offerman (Bill), Murray Bartlett (Frank) and Melanie Lynskey (Kathleen) all guest starring throughout the season.Episode seven of The Last Of Us takes a pause on Joel and Ellie’s quest for a cure to focus on Ellie’s backstory, introducing new character Riley.Storm Reid plays Riley. According to the HBO website, Riley is “an orphaned girl growing up in post-apocalyptic Boston.”Riley was mentioned by Marlene (Merle Dandridge) to Ellie in episode one but this will be her first on-screen appearance.Reid’s breakout role was as Gia Bennett, the younger sister of Zendaya‘s Rue, in Euphoria.
‘The Last Of Us’ Episode 5 To Debut Early On HBO Max
06.02.2023 - 06:51 / deadline.com
Good news for The Last of Us fans. Episode 5 will be hitting HBO Max two days early.
The next episode of the Pedro Pascal-led series will be available on HBO Max beginning February 10 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Usually, HBO originals debut on HBO Max at the same time the episode begins airing on the east coast.
The episode will also still air on HBO during its regularly scheduled time on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The east coast airing will conflict with the Super Bowl, which is likely the reason that HBO is debuting the episode early.
The Last of Us has posted impressive audience gains over the first three weeks of its run. The premiere episode brought in a same-day audience of 4.7M, which was the largest debut after House of the Dragon since Boardwalk Empire launched in 2010. Episode 3’s audience was up 37%, with 6.4M people tuning in across HBO Max and linear channels — and that’s with the first half of the episode going up against the AFC Championship on the east coast.
However, the Super Bowl is a different beast. Last year, 99.2M people in the U.S. watched the Rams vs. Bengals matchup, which is more than double the audience for the NFL playoffs.
The series is also capturing an even larger audience in delayed viewing, with the first two episodes averaging over 21M viewers. But by releasing Episode 5 early, HBO doesn’t have to rely on delayed viewing to engage with the show’s core audience.
The Last of Us, which is based on the PlayStation game, takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal journey as they both must traverse the US and
'IT' Prequel Series, 'Welcome to Derry,' Coming to HBO Max
is expanding, with a prequel series coming to HBO Max. Set in the world of Stephen King's universe, is based on the author's novel as well as filmmaker Andy Muschietti's successful feature film adaptations, and . The series is being developed by Andy Muschietti as well as sister Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs, both of whom were involved in the films.
Discovery+ Economics Justify Continuing It As A Stand-Alone Streamer After Launch Of Merged HBO Max Offering, WBD CEO David Zaslav Says: “Why Would We Shut That Off?”
The motivation for continuing to offer Discovery+ as a stand-alone streaming service after a combined offering with HBO Max debuts later this spring, is largely financial, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav says.
David Zaslav Says Direct-to-HBO Max Movies Provided ‘No Value’ to Warner Bros.
earnings call comments suggest that he is even more adamant in this direction. On Thursday, Zaslav spoke about Warner Bros.’ recent strategy to move films greenlit under previous CEO Jason Kilar’s leadership for exclusive release on HBO Max to an exclusive release in theaters before going to the streaming service.
Warner Bros. Discovery Tops 96 Million Streaming Subscribers Across HBO, HBO Max and Discovery+
Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer HBO, HBO Max and Discovery+ added 1.1 million subscribers in Q4 to end 2022 with a total of 96.1 million worldwide. That’s up from the 95 million combined global streaming customers Warner Bros. Discovery hit from July 1-Sept. 30, the quarter during which the highly anticipated “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon” debuted. During the Oct. 1-Dec. 31 quarter, “House of the Dragon” concluded its first season the second season of HBO’s hot Mike White drama “White Lotus” premiered. Details about the upcoming combined HBO Max-Discovery+ streamer — which does not yet have a name, launch date or pricing details — will be revealed at an April 12 press day.
‘IT’ Prequel Series ‘Welcome To Derry’ Greenlit At HBO Max
HBO Max is expanding the world of Stephen King‘s IT with the drama series Welcome To Derry (wt) from Warner Bros. Television and developed for TV by filmmakers Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti (IT, IT Chapter Two) and Jason Fuchs (IT Chapter Two, Wonder Woman).
‘It’ Prequel Series ‘Welcome to Derry’ Ordered at HBO Max
Joe Otterson TV Reporter HBO Max is officially moving forward with the “It” prequel series currently titled “Welcome to Derry,” Variety has learned. The show was first reported as being in development in March 2022, while Variety exclusively reported that the project had attached its co-showrunners in November. As previously reported, the series was developed for television by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs. “As teenagers, we took turns reading chapters of Stephen King’s ‘It’ until the thick paperback fell to pieces,” said the Muschiettis. “‘It’ is an epic story that contains multitudes, far beyond what we could explore in our ‘It’ movies. We can’t wait to share the depths of Steve’s novel, in all its heart, humor, humanity and horror.”
‘Welcome To Derry’: HBO Max Greenlights Prequel Series To Andy Muschietti’s ‘IT’ Films
Andy Muschietti‘s two “IT” films from 2017 and 2019 brought Stephen King‘s 1986 epic horror novel to the big screen for the first time. Now Muschietti will develop the franchise even further.
HBO Max Orders ‘It’ Prequel to Series; Andy Muschietti to Direct Multiple Episodes
HBO Max. The streamer announced on Thursday that “Welcome to Derry” has been ordered to series, with “It” and “It: Chapter Two” director Andy Muschietti onboard to executive produce and direct multiple episodes.
HBO & HBO Max Cancel 4 TV Shows, Renew 1 Huge Hit, & Announce 2 Fan Favorites Are Ending (So Far)
More and more HBO and HBO Max content is being canceled.
HBO’s Leading Man: Casey Bloys on Perfecting ‘The Last of Us,’ HBO Max Streaming Merger and Axing Shows
Casey Bloys was about four years into his tenure as a programming executive at HBO when he was driven to champion a project that was disliked by others at the network. At first blush, the brilliantly raunchy Danny McBride comedy “Eastbound & Down” might have seemed out of place among the erudite offerings on HBO. When the series premiered in February 2009, HBO was still known for its New York-centric (“Sex and the City”) and Hollywood-set (“Entourage”) comedies. “Eastbound” revolved around Kenny Powers, a washed-up, foulmouthed, amoral former professional baseball player who heads home to North Carolina. HBO brass weren’t sure “Eastbound” fit their high-end brand. But Bloys, then the network’s young head of comedy, knew McBride had something with the show. “I truly thought and continue to think the show is funny,” Bloys says. “And it was at a point in my career where I was learning how to be an advocate for a show. How to explain to people why something is good, why we should put our name and our money behind something.”
‘South Side’ Canceled By HBO Max
HBO Max declined to pick up a fourth season of South Side, the comedy from Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle and Sultan Salahuddin.
‘South Side’ Canceled at HBO Max After Three Seasons
Selome Hailu “South Side” has been canceled after three seasons at HBO Max. The comedy series followed Simon (Sultan Salahuddin) and Kareme (Kareme Young), best friends who just graduated from community college and are ready to take over the world, but are stuck working at a rent-to-own furniture store until they do. MTV Entertainment Studios produced the series. Executive producers included Bashir Salahuddin, Riddle, Michael Blieden, Jax Media’s Tony Hernandez and MTV’s Ari Pearce, Kristyn Deignan and Tara Power. “While HBO Max will not be moving forward with a fourth season of South Side, we are so proud of the rich world Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle and Sultan Salahuddin created,” an HBO Max spokesperson said, confirming that the series would not be moving forward. “We thank them and Michael Blieden, Tony Hernandez, the supremely talented cast and crew and our partners at MTV Entertainment Studios.”
‘South Side’ Comedy Canceled by HBO Max After 3 Seasons
The HBO comedy “South Side” will not move forward after three seasons.The HBO Max Original series starred best friends Simon (Sultan Salahuddin) and Kareme (Kareme Young), who work at a rent-to-own furniture store while planning for bigger things.“While HBO Max will not be moving forward with a fourth season of South Side, we are so proud of the rich world Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle and Sultan Salahuddin created,” an HBO Max spokesperson said in a statement to media. “We thank them and Michael Blieden, Tony Hernandez, the supremely talented cast and crew and our partners at MTV Entertainment Studios.”The show was shot on location in Englewood, a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.
The Best New TV Shows and Movies to Stream This Weekend on HBO Max, Hulu, Apple TV and More
Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, Netflix, Peacock, Discovery+ and even more streaming services, there’s no shortage of options when choosing what to binge-watch this weekend. However, sometimes the amount of great film and television available to stream can be overwhelming and lead to scrolling aimlessly — hoping to land on that perfect piece of content. Scroll no more! To help you out, ET has rounded up the best movies and TV shows to stream this week, including new arrivals, nostalgia-filled favorites and Oscar-nominated titles you may have missed the (well-deserved) hype on that are worth circling back for.From new episodes of The Last of Us, and to the streaming premiere of , we’ve got your content covered this week. For even more recommendations, make sure to check out our guide for everything new on Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock, Apple TV+ and more this month.
Elizabeth Olsen Starts Deadly Affair in HBO Max's 'Love & Death' Teaser - Watch Now!
The teaser trailer for Elizabeth Olsen‘s upcoming HBO Max limited series has been released.
HBO Max Limited Series ‘Love & Death’ With Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons Releases Teaser, Sets Debut Date
The seven-episode HBO Max Original limited series Love & Death has released its official teaser and set an April 27 launch date.
‘The Last of Us‘ Movie? Sony Pictures Boss Wishes His Studio Made One: ’I’m Jealous in the Best Way’ of the HBO Show
Zack Sharf HBO’s “The Last of Us” is one of the biggest shows of 2023 so far, so big that Sony Pictures Entertainment film chairman Tom Rothman is wishing the studio had gone ahead and turned the video game into a feature film. “The Last of Us” is based on the Sony Playstation game of the same name. “Yes,” Rothman answered when asked by Business Insider if he wishes “The Last of Us” was a Sony movie. “But I’m very happy for them and I think it’s better suited episodically. I’m jealous in the best way.” “The Last of Us,” starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, centers on survivors of a pandemic in a world where brain-eating fungus has decimated the human population. The show has been a ratings powerhouse for HBO, garnering over 7 million viewers in one night as of its fourth episode airing.
Rachel Hilson To Star In J.J. Abrams & LaToya Morgan’s ‘Duster’ As HBO Max Hands Out Official Series Order
Rachel Hilson will star alongside Josh Holloway in J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan’s period drama Duster as HBO Max has finally handed the project an official series order.
HBO Max Orders Crime Drama ‘Duster’ From J.J. Abrams, LaToya Morgan With Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson to Star
Joe Otterson TV Reporter HBO Max has ordered the drama series “Duster” from J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan with Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson set to star. The eight-episode series is set in 1972. Per the official logline, “the first Black female FBI agent (Hilson) heads to the Southwest and recruits a gutsy getaway driver (Holloway) in a bold effort to take down a growing crime syndicate.” “‘Duster’ is an amalgam of all my favorite things – high octane storytelling with deep characters and so much heart,” Morgan said. “It’s a dream project and I’m supremely grateful to all the folks at Warner Bros. and HBO Max for believing in this show. And I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in crime than J.J. to build this incredible world.”