HBO Cancels Superhero Satire 'The Franchise' After One Season

The comedy series, which parodied the superhero movie industry, will not return despite positive reviews and a strong creative team.

HBO announced the cancellation of 'The Franchise,' a satirical comedy about the chaotic production of a superhero movie, after just one season.
The series, created by Jon Brown and executive produced by Sam Mendes and Armando Iannucci, aired its eight-episode run between October and November 2024.
While the show received favorable critical reception (74% on Rotten Tomatoes), it struggled to gain significant viewership and failed to crack Nielsen's Top 10 streaming rankings.
The ensemble cast included Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Billy Magnussen, and Richard E. Grant, with many cast members having prior superhero genre experience.
Despite the cancellation, HBO expressed gratitude toward the cast and creators, stating they look forward to future collaborations.