Not all good things have to come to an end – at least not yet.
HBO Max and WarnerMedia have renewed a variety of new and continuing shows, giving viewers plenty to look forward to in the new year.
Returning for a second season is the docu-comedy How To With Jon Willson, the drama Industry and the documentary series The Vow.
How To With Jon Willson
In a uniquely hilarious odyssey of self-discovery and cultural observation, Wilson covertly and obsessively films the lives of his fellow New Yorkers while attempting to give everyday advice on relatable topics. The awkward contradictions of modern life are eased by Wilson’s candid, unpolished commentary, with season one’s episodes offering up his distinct take on a range of deceivingly simple topics. Building upon Wilson’s previously released “how to” short films, the episodes take wildly unexpected turns, but are grounded in John’s refreshing honesty.
“John’s lens is so deliberate and dear,” says Gravitt. “Seeing the audience connect with HOW TO has been an absolute joy. We’re eager to see what 2021 has to offer with him behind the camera.”
Industry
From first-time creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, INDUSTRY, which kicked off its eight-episode first season November 9, follows a group of young graduates competing for a limited number of permanent positions at a leading international bank in London.
Industry gives an insider’s view of the blackbox of “high finance” through the eyes of an outsider, Harper Stern (Herrold), a talented young woman from upstate New York. Following a group of young grads fueled by ambition, youth, romance and drugs, the series examines issues of gender, race, class, and privilege in the workplace as these impressionable young minds begin to forge their identities within the pressure cooker environment and sensory blitz of Pierpoint & Co’s trading floor, where meritocracy is promised but hierarchy is king.
After concluding its eight-episode run, the Wall Street Journal noted that Industry presents “a world that’s thoroughly believable, frequently appalling and fully enthralling,” while Hollywood Reporter praised the series as “steamy escapism.” TIME called it “smart and contemporary… a ‘Working Girl’ for a new generation,” citing that “Down and Kay add to the verisimilitude with dialogue that feels both cerebral and…realistic,” and NPR crowned Harper Stern “the most fascinating character on TV right now.”
The Vow
Set against the backdrop of the federal trial of The United States against Keith Raniere, THE VOW Part Two will offer an exclusive view into Raniere’s innermost circle. It delves into the stories of NXIVM’s top leadership in the US and Mexico, and into powerful, intimate stories of DOS members. Part Two follows the legal and emotional journeys of the group’s founders, supporters and defectors as new evidence and stunning revelations come to light while federal prosecutors and defense attorneys battle for opposing views of justice in a case caught in the national spotlight.
Since its debut back in mid-August, the New York Times calling it “irresistible… an impressive and even transfixing achievement” and Entertainment Weekly writing that the “chilling” series “offers a riveting behind-the-scenes chronicle.” Vulture hailed it as “deep, compelling…absorbing” and Time praised it as “gripping…humane and engrossing.”
The first installment of THE VOW follows a range of people who joined NXIVM, a self-improvement group that disintegrated amidst criminal charges. The series is a nuanced look at the experiences of a number of people deeply involved in NXIVM over the course of several years, spotlighting their universal desire for personal growth and their internal conflicts over events as they unfold.
In June 2019, NXIVM co-founder Keith Raniere was convicted of crimes including racketeering, sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy, identity theft, and production and possession of child pornography. He awaits sentencing, expected this fall.
WarnerMedia TBS has ordered a third season of the top-rated anthology comedy series MIRACLE WORKERS, this time transporting cast members Daniel Radcliffe, Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan and Karan Soni to the American Old West.
“MIRACLE WORKERS is a perfect example of the fun, escapist humor that we take pride in delivering to our viewers,” said Sam Linsky and Adrienne O’Riain, co-heads of scripted original programming for TBS, TNT and truTV. “We can’t wait to see how this incredibly dynamic cast and talented group of storytellers hilariously rewrite 19th century history
Set in the year 1844, the new season of MIRACLE WORKERS will follow an idealistic small-town preacher (Radcliffe) who teams up with a wanted outlaw (Buscemi) and a liberated prairie wife (Viswanathan) to lead a wagon train west on the Oregon Trail across an American landscape which, much like today, is fraught with both promise and peril.
Returning for a 4th season is HBO Max original; Search Party and In Treatment.
In Treatment
The critically acclaimed drama stars Emmy winning actress, Uzo Aduba as Dr. Brooke Lawrence. The show brings a diverse trio of patients in session with the observant, empathetic doctor, while she wrestles with her own issues in this half-hour drama series.
Search Party – SPOILERS AHEAD!
In season four, Dory (Alia Shawkat) is held prisoner by her psychotic stalker Chip (Cole Escola), who is determined to make Dory believe that they are best friends. Meanwhile, Portia (Meredith Hagner) is starring in a film about the trial, although not as herself; Elliott (John Early) has switched party lines to become a far-right conservative talk show host; and Drew (John Reynolds) is trying to escape his dark past by working as a costumed cast member in a theme park. As the friends begin to connect the dots that Dory might not be touring Europe as her faked social media suggests, they must decide whether to put their traumatic pasts behind them and once again become a search party – but this time, for Dory.
Earlier last month “Search Party: The Podcast” hosted by comedian and show fan Bowen Yang premiered and featured Yang interviewing a co-creator, actor or writer in sit down interviews for each episode. As well as celebrity fans to dissect the specific themes from past seasons. Together they would humorously analyze the characters psychology and discuss the most insane moment
Joining the show’s stellar guest stars this season are Susan Sarandon, Busy Philipps, Ann Dowd, Griffin Dunne and Lillias White, as well as R.L. Stine in a cameo role.
After just barely avoiding the fall of democracy and despite a literal ongoing plague, WarnerMedia TBS is thrilled to announce the renewal of its Emmy Award-winning show “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” for a sixth season. A trailblazing force in late night, “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” has continued to use political satire to entertain, educate, and empower viewers while keeping the government in check.
“It’s a huge honor to get to keep doing this crazy smart and silly show for a sixth season,” said Samantha Bee. “Is it official though? Are we still waiting for Pennsylvania to certify the sixth season?”
One of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, Samantha Bee continues to lead the charge by not only shining a light on issues of political and cultural significance through the show’s reporting, but by implementing meaningful change through the show which regularly creates significant charitable initiatives during times of crisis. “Full Frontal” launched the #MailedIt campaign in support of the United States Postal Service and pioneered paid family leave by offering her staffers the most extensive policy in the entertainment industry. The Emmy-winning show has continued to receive recognition, most recently winning the Writers Guild Award in February for WarnerMedia.
Additionally, WarnerMedia TBS has renewed its first look deal with Bee’s production company, Swimsuit Competition, that focuses on developing amusing original content that is definitely worth spending a weekend bingeing. Swimsuit Competition continues to seek great ideas from people who are flying under the radar, or whose work has been underestimated.
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” shines a spotlight on stories inside the Beltway and beyond, from sexual harassment in the media to the “boyfriend loophole,” and from global warming to child marriage in the United States. “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” also travels the world to cover international stories, with segments from Jordan, Germany, Russia, Scotland, Mexico and Iraq. “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” airs on Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on TBS.
For more on other WarnerMedia shows returning this year, checkout musetv.com
