All posts tagged: HBO Max

Gerran Howell on ‘The Pitt,’ His Love for Whitaker and What’s Next

Gerran Howell on ‘The Pitt,’ His Love for Whitaker and What’s Next

Published by Daniella Wilson

The Pitt star Gerran Howell is seemingly proud of his character Dr. Whitaker’s newfound self-assurance. The 35-year-old Welsh actor has gone from a “wide-eyed farm boy,” as he puts it, in season one, to coming into his own during the show’s second season, which just wrapped last week. The HBO Max medical drama has found its biggest audience yet, drawing in 9.7 million viewers throughout the weekend. It’s also become an awards darling since its season one premiere in 2025. Howell recalls a day on set where all of the actors were given time to take photos with the awards, but the fanfare didn’t last long. Much like the hospital setting of the show, The Pitt gets right back to business. “Everyone is obviously psyched about it that it’s getting the recognition it is, but yeah, it’s honestly back to work,” he says. “Of course there’s pressure now. There’s pressure to keep people tuning in every week and keep onto the magic that has got us this far,” the actor continues. “But The Pitt is …

‘Harry Potter’ Series to Air Behind-the-Scenes Special on HBO

‘Harry Potter’ Series to Air Behind-the-Scenes Special on HBO

Published by Daniella Wilson

HBO is set to air an exclusive behind-the-scenes special of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, their upcoming TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling‘s wizarding world books. Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic offers “an in-depth look at the making of the first season” — the trailer for which was released, and broke HBO records, last week — and will debut Sunday, April 5 on HBO Max in the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland. A teaser for the episode dropped Thursday, showing interviews with John Lithgow (playing Dumbledore), Paapa Essiedu (Snape), and all of the crew involved in the creation of the big-budget project. The special is narrated by Hagrid actor Nick Frost, and also chronicles the search for Harry, Ron, and Hermione, roles that subsequently went to Dominic McLaughlin, Alistair Stout, and Arabella Stanton. “You wait to do something forever that means that much to people,” Lithgow says. Essiedu adds: “Just walking in and seeing the train, you imagine yourself being a kid at Hogwarts.” A plot synopsis reads: “It’s been 25 years since audiences first walked the hallowed halls of …

The Pitt: What We Know About Season 2 And The Show’s Future

The Pitt: What We Know About Season 2 And The Show’s Future

Published by Sam Flores

Much like sitting in A&E with a relatively minor injury, the wait for medical drama The Pitt to arrive in the UK has been a painfully long one. Created by the same team behind the iconic 1990s series ER, The Pitt launched in the US over a year ago, quickly becoming adored by critics and earning an impressive stash of awards in its wake. With HBO Max finally launching in the UK this week – British viewers can now get in on the action on this side of the pond, with the full first season now available to stream. If you’re already loving The Pitt, you might be curious about what’s next when you’ve polished off the first run of episodes. Here’s everything we know about the future of the award-winning drama so far… When and where can I watch season 2 of The Pitt? The plus side of waiting so long to see The Pitt over here is that while we’ve been twiddling our thumbs, HBO has already filmed and begun airing the second …

What To Watch On HBO Max: 17 Shows To Stream Now

What To Watch On HBO Max: 17 Shows To Stream Now

Published by Sam Flores

Alright, we get it – the arrival of a new streaming service is hardly a cause for celebration in 2026. In fact, there are so many of them kicking about these days it barely constitutes a news event. But trust us when we say that the UK launch of HBO Max is actually a bigger deal than you might realise. The US streaming platform is responsible for some of the most acclaimed original shows of the last few years, and while some of them have already been available to watch on Sky and Now, others will be making their UK screen debut now HBO Max is up and running on this side of the Atlantic. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by choice – or, indeed, you’re just contemplating whether it’s worth your while subscribing – here are 17 of our top recommendations currently streaming on the platform, including classics from American broadcaster HBO and other more new and exciting additions… The Pitt Arguably the biggest reason for TV fans to get excited about HBO …

Harry Potter Trailer Makes History as Most-Viewed for HBO

Harry Potter Trailer Makes History as Most-Viewed for HBO

Published by Daniella Wilson

Fans are tuned in to see the Boy Who Lived back on screen. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, a TV series reimagining J.K. Rowling’s seven-part book series and part of the Warner Bros. franchise, which starred Daniel Radcliffe as its title character, released its first trailer on Wednesday. After the first 48 hours, it had reached more than 277 million organic views across platforms, making it the most-watched trailer in HBO and HBO Max history. The first season of the multiseason series is set to follow Rowling’s first novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and each season will presumably focus on another book. “I’ve always wanted to know about my parents,” Harry says in the trailer to Hagrid (Nick Frost), who responds: “Your parents were the kindest, bravest people I have ever met. They were funny and clever and they stood up for what they believed was right. The next time I see you will be at Hogwarts.” The trailer shows Harry meeting, who will become his best friends, Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout) …

Bill Maher Says President Trump Tried to Block Kennedy Center Honor

Bill Maher Says President Trump Tried to Block Kennedy Center Honor

Published by Daniella Wilson

After a confusing swirl that included “fake news” denials from the White House communications team, Bill Maher offered some clarity about being picked to receive the 27th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Center. The veteran host leaned into this week’s big news during Friday night’s episode of Real Time With Bill Maher on HBO Max by addressing it in the opening minutes of his monologue as he recognized there’s been “a lot of back and forth” about whether or not he was actually going to get it. “We have reached a compromise. The compromise is that I am going to get it and then I’m going to give it to [President Donald Trump],” he joked. “Everybody’s happy. I just want things to work out.” Looks like they are now after the Kennedy Center confirmed Thursday that Maher would receive the 27th Mark Twain Prize for Humor at a ceremony scheduled for June 28 (and streaming on Netflix at a later date). The honor “recognizes individuals who have had an impact on …

The Pitt Is Finally Streaming In The UK As HBO Max Launches

The Pitt Is Finally Streaming In The UK As HBO Max Launches

Published by Sam Flores

Medical drama fans can finally hit pause on their 500th rewatch of their old favourite in favour of something new, as buzzy series The Pitt has finally landed in the UK. Despite the vast TV landscape of shows like Grey’s Anatomy, ER and House over the last few decades, it’s been a while since we’ve had a decent fresh addition to the genre – until now. In The Pitt – which was developed by the team behind ER – viewers are planted directly into a fictional Pittsburgh hospital emergency department. The hit show follows staff in real-time over the course of a 15-hour shift, spread out over 15 episodes, as they frantically navigate the influx of medical emergencies, as well as wider issues like their personal trauma caused by Covid and the American healthcare system. Sounds like a hoot, right? Perhaps not, but if the piles of awards and critical praise are anything to go by, you’re going to want to make this your next watch. The Pitt premiered in the US over a year …

‘The Pitt’ Star Noah Wyle Talks Universal Health Coverage, Season 3

‘The Pitt’ Star Noah Wyle Talks Universal Health Coverage, Season 3

Published by Daniella Wilson

The Pitt, HBO Max’s widely lauded hit series that has repeatedly mirrored reality, including a recent timely season 2 ICE storyline, got the London spotlight on Tuesday evening. Tied to Thursday’s U.K. and Ireland launch of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) streamer HBO Max, the first episode of the medical procedural screened in central London, followed by a discussion between HBO and HBO Max chief Casey Bloys and The Pitt star and executive producer, and former ER actor, Noah Wyle. Created by R. Scott Gemmill, the series stars Wyle as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, who leads an understaffed, underfunded emergency room set in Pittsburgh. The show has developed a reputation for accurately portraying the world of healthcare workers and having its fair share of episodes that closely resemble what is happening in the real world. Coinciding with the launch of HBO Max in the U.K., The Pitt will begin streaming in the market on Thursday, March 26, with all episodes of season 1 and much of season 2, which is still rolling out in the U.S., dropping at once. The streamer will be available in …

Paapa Essiedu Says Harry Potter Snape Casting Led to Racist Death Threats

Paapa Essiedu Says Harry Potter Snape Casting Led to Racist Death Threats

Published by Daniella Wilson

Paapa Essiedu has revealed he’s faced racist death threats after being cast as Professor Severus Snape in HBO‘s upcoming Harry Potty television series. “I’ve been told, ‘Quit or I’ll murder you,’” the actor told The Times in a profile published Saturday. Essiedu said after his casting was officially announced in April 2025, he faced backlash for being a Black actor stepping into the role of Snape. “It really matters. The reality is that if I look at Instagram I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.’ So while I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be murdered… That could age badly! But, yes, while I hope I’ll be OK, nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job,” he said. “Many people put their lives on the line in their work. I’m playing a wizard in Harry Potter. And I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally.” The role of Snape was originated by Alan Rickman in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. He …

It Is No Easy Task to Combine Paramount+ and HBO Max

It Is No Easy Task to Combine Paramount+ and HBO Max

Published by Daniella Wilson

David Ellison has stated his intention to “put … together” Paramount+ and HBO Max when his giant acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is complete. But which major streamer will absorb the other? And how would that work anyway? In terms of its reach, HBO Max is bigger — then again, so is Warner Bros. Discovery as a company, but that isn’t stopping Paramount Skydance from being the buyer. It’s good to be a billionaire. Paramount+ actually has the larger library of the two and the important incumbent advantage. The rebuilt HBO Max (“Max” was a nightmare on Roku devices), however, boasts the newer tech stack. Perhaps there’s a third option: neither of the above. When asked by The Hollywood Reporter, Dan Rayburn, a streaming media expert, consultant and chairman of the Streaming Summit at the NAB Show, punted on the main question. But as fourth-down decision analytics inform, sometimes punting is the right play. This idea of Paramount+/HBO Max integration is frankly “too new” to “contemplate how you can merge two streaming services of that …