2018 has been a bit of a mixed year for HBO.

On the one hand, things look rather positive: they launched acclaimed new comedy Barry, starring Bill Hader, back in March, and have had some domination over the summer with Succession and, more importantly, the Amy Adams miniseries Sharp Objects, which is among the very best shows of the year.

At the same time, Game of Thrones has taken a year off, meaning an obvious gap in the scheduling that nothing can properly fill ratings-wise, and for the first time in what feels like forever they aren’t leading the nominations at the Emmys.

2019 promises better things with the return of not just Thrones, but Big Little Lies and True Detective too (which looks like it’s bringing some serious Season 1 vibes), however with Season 8 being GoT’s last they are in need of a few new hits, both critically and commercially. Luckily, they have a lot of series in the works that might just help on both fronts.

15. My Brilliant Friend

This is, surprisingly, HBO’s first foray into foreign language drama, with My Brilliant Friend a co-production alongside Italy’s RAI, and it’s an ambitious effort at that.

The first adaptation of one of the pseudonymous Elena Ferrante’s Neopolitan Novels, which are made up of My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child, there are plans in place to adapt all of them in what will ultimately be a 32-part piece.

The books have been a literary sensation, covering a decades-long companionship between two women, and the series should enjoy similar success, with My Brilliant Friend telling the story of their childhood friendship.[/nextpage][nextpage]

14. Los Espookys

Saturday Night Live duo Lorne Michaels and Fred Armisen are making the leap to HBO, with a new half-hour comedy series that will also serve as the cable channel’s second foreign language series.

According to HBO, it takes place “in a strange, dreamy version of modern-day Mexico City, [and] follows a group of friends who turn their love of horror into a peculiar business.”

It’s an intriguing setup at the very least, with some real comedic talent behind it too.[/nextpage][nextpage]

13. Camping

An American version of British sitcom Camping, which saw a group of friends go on a camping trip to Devon and hijinks ensue. This one keeps the same premise, but swaps the location for the United States.

Created by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner, this take sees Walt (David Tennant), Kathryn (Jennifer Garner), and a group of friends going off to celebrate the former’s 45th birthday and get back to nature, before things go awry.[/nextpage][nextpage]

12. Mrs Fletcher

With The Leftovers ending last year, Tom Perrotta his making a return to HBO with a new adaptation of one of his works, this time the novel Mrs Fletcher.

The plot is described as a dual coming-of-age story, following divorcee Eve Fletcher as she returns home to her ’empty nest’ after dropping her son Brendan off at college, while he attempts to navigate life on campus. It’ll find both of them dealing with the effects of internet porn and social media on relationships, while Eve attempts to find the happiness and fulfilment that has thus far alluded her.

After great performances in things like Transparent and Girls, it’s the right time for Kathryn Hahn to have a turn in the spotlight to herself, while the last time Perrotta made something for HBO it was, well, really special.[/nextpage][nextpage]

11. Gentleman Jack

A co-production between HBO and BBC, Gentleman Jack takes place in West Yorkshire, England, in 1832, and is inspired by the true story of the journals of Anne Lister (played here by Suranne Jones).

After an extended period of travel, Lister returned to her ancestral home and set about trying to transform it, build her business interests, and find herself a wife (Sophie Rundle).

The series is created by BAFTA-winner Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley), and also stars Gemma Whelan, Peter Davison, and Timothy West.

(Excerpt) Read More at: WhatCulture.com[/nextpage]