5 Underrated HBO Max Shows That Deserve More Attention

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There are five original HBO shows that never quite got the recognition they deserved. HBO is known for high-quality television, and its catalog includes some of the best shows ever made, like The Sopranos, The Wire, and Band of Brothers.

As a huge HBO fan, I’ve noticed how consistently good their shows are, and it really shows in their overall Rotten Tomatoes scores. It’s not just the classics that boost them either – shows like The White Lotus, Taskmaster, and The Gilded Age are getting rave reviews right now! Honestly, you could pick almost anything on HBO Max and you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something amazing.

It’s easy to miss great shows with so much good television available. HBO Max has a ton of fantastic programs – across all kinds of genres, starring talented actors, and often critically acclaimed – that deserve more attention.

The Franchise (2024)

If more people had discovered the comedy series The Franchise, it likely wouldn’t have been canceled so quickly. Created by Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and Sam Mendes, this British show offers a sharp and funny critique of the modern film industry, especially superhero films.

The movie The Franchise is set behind the scenes of a big-budget superhero film. It mainly follows Daniel Kumar, a stressed-out assistant director, as he tries to stay passionate about movies while dealing with the practical challenges of filmmaking—like figuring out which superhero costume would be easiest to work with. It’s a clever and surprisingly realistic look at the industry.

Getting On (2013-2015)

I recently discovered this show called Getting On, and it’s hilarious! It’s based on a British series, but it’s set in a pretty rundown extended care unit in Long Beach, California. It’s a workplace comedy that follows the nurses and doctors who work there, and it’s surprisingly heartwarming. They deal with everything with a lot of respect for their patients, and it’s genuinely funny to watch their everyday lives.

Getting On doesn’t avoid the difficult realities of hospital life, whether it’s frustrating paperwork or challenging medical cases. It’s a funny show – the kind we don’t see enough of – that consistently delivers laughs while also having genuine heart and compelling stories to keep you engaged.

Perry Mason (2020-2023)

HBO’s Perry Mason, starring Matthew Rhys, is based on the well-known character created by Erle Stanley Gardner, who also had a popular series in the 1960s. But this show goes back to the beginning, revealing Mason’s life as a private investigator before he became the lawyer we know.

This series is captivating, largely due to Rhys’s subtle and powerful performance as a man desperately trying to maintain his composure while fighting for those failed by the justice system. The show is also visually stunning, with a beautifully crafted style that perfectly evokes the mood of the noir era.

Treme (2010-2013)

Treme is a fantastic show that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. It focuses on a vital part of American culture often overlooked, and is set in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans in the months following Hurricane Katrina. The series follows the stories of people working to rebuild their lives and community after the storm.

If you’re interested in learning about Louisiana and New Orleans culture, skip Princess and the Frog and the first season of True Detective and watch Treme instead. It’s a fantastic show packed with compelling characters, intricate stories, and a realistic portrayal of the city.

Somebody Somewhere (2022-2024)

Bridget Everett shines in Somebody Somewhere, a funny, moving, and deeply honest show about Sam Miller, a woman who returns to her small Midwestern hometown to care for her sister. After her sister’s death, Sam is left grappling with life in a place she knows all too well, and isn’t thrilled to be stuck in.

It’s rare for a TV show, even on a platform like HBO, to portray people so honestly and beautifully as Somebody Somewhere does. The show is charming and well-written, balancing genuinely funny moments with deeply emotional ones – it feels incredibly real, often making you laugh through tears.

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2025-11-17 02:09