HBO Sets New Fall Shows, Including 'Westworld'

HBO’s controversial drama ‘Westworld,’ three new comedies set for fall

Along with changing leaves, autumn will bring multiple highly anticipated new HBO series. The premium network confirmed Thursday that the drama series Westworld and three comedy series — Divorce, Insecure, and High Maintenance — are all set to premiere this fall.

Of the bunch, Westworld is the most controversial. The dark drama raised eyebrows when a consent form for actors that hinted at graphic sex scenes was released. Although HBO clarified at the time that the consent form “was not requested, written, or approved by HBO, Warner Bros. Television, or the producers,” the incident planted the idea that the show could rival Game of Thrones in terms of mature content.

The premium network is, of course, hoping that the upcoming series will be able to draw the kind of enthusiastic response that the veteran show has enjoyed over its six seasons and counting. Westworld is described as “a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin.” Inspired by a 1973 Michael Crichton film, the sci-fi series delves into a world in which humans can live out their fantasies, no matter how twisted. The star-studded cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, and more.

On the comedy side, Divorce centers on a woman taking a hard look at her life and marriage. The series stars Sarah Jessica Parker, who previously struck gold with HBO in Sex & The City. She is joined by Thomas Haden Church, Molly Shannon, and Talia Balsam, among others.

Insecure examines the friendship of two black women, touching on their experiences and issues of race. The comedy stars Issa Rae, who is also the creator and an executive producer, as well as Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, and Lisa Joyce. Meanwhile, High Maintenance is about a Brooklyn pot dealer with various unique clients. Ben Sinclair plays the lead character.

As the days get shorter this summer, you can comfort yourself with this silver lining: New HBO series are coming.

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