HBO has pulled the plug on its “hilarious” new series, The Franchise, after just one season.
The satirical comedy, centered around the making of a superhero movie series, was created by Jo Brown and produced by Sam Mendes, along with Thick of It and Veep creator Armando Iannucci. The show featured Himesh Patel as the overworked first assistant director, dealing with a range of eccentric characters, including the franchise’s lead star (Billy Magnussen) and its director (Daniel Brühl). The cast also included Lolly Adefope, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, and Richard E. Grant, who portrayed a washed-up British actor cashing in on his role in the fictional film.
The cancellation marks HBO’s first of the year. A spokesperson shared the news with Deadline, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work with the talented team behind the series, including Mendes, Brown, Iannucci, and the show’s cast. Despite ending after just one season, they noted their excitement about future collaborations with the team.
The show aired in September and wrapped in November, following the earlier cancellation of Iannucci’s Avenue 5 after two seasons. Fans of The Franchise have expressed their disappointment, with many lamenting the loss of a show they found both “hilarious” and well-executed. Some viewers are hoping another streaming service will pick it up for future seasons, while others feel the series was unfairly cut off before it had the chance to grow. Collider writer Maggie Lovitt also voiced her sadness, calling it one of the funniest shows of 2024, and others agreed that the show had potential and deserved more time to find its audience.
