HBO Cancels ‘The Franchise’ After One Season

HBO has decided not to renew its superhero movie satire series, ‘The Franchise,’ for a second season. The announcement came a little over a month after the Season 1 finale aired on November 24, 2024. The series, created by Jon Brown and executive produced by Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci, failed to resonate with audiences despite positive critical reviews.

‘We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind The Franchise, especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors,’ an HBO spokesperson said in a statement. ‘While we won’t be moving forward with another season, we look forward to collaborating with all of them in the future.’

The eight-episode series followed the crew of an unloved franchise movie as they navigated the chaotic world of superhero filmmaking. The show aimed to reveal the behind-the-scenes struggles of creating blockbuster films, asking how the ‘cinematic sausage gets made.’ Despite its unique premise and strong cast, including Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, and Jessica Hynes, ‘The Franchise’ failed to crack Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming rankings.

Armando Iannucci, known for his work on HBO’s ‘Veep’ and ‘Avenue 5,’ brought his signature comedic style to the series. Sam Mendes, who directed the pilot, also served as an executive producer. The show’s cancellation marks another example of the challenges faced by niche comedies in a competitive streaming landscape.

Meanwhile, Prime Video announced that Season 3 of its comedy series ‘Harlem‘ will be its last. The show, which premieres later this month, joins ‘The Franchise’ as one of the first major cancellations of 2025. On a brighter note, Hulu‘s ‘Shoresy,’ a spin-off of the popular Canadian comedy ‘Letterkenny,’ has been renewed for a fifth season ahead of its Season 4 premiere.