The first TV casualty of 2025 has been established.
HBO has decided not to move forward with a second season of The Franchise, the showbiz satire that explored the chaotic world of superhero moviemaking. The series, which debuted in October and wrapped its eight-episode run on November 24, has officially been canceled after just one season.
READ: Saying Goodbye: 60+ TV Shows Canceled or Ending in 2024
Himesh Patel led the ensemble cast as Daniel, a first assistant director working on a sprawling superhero blockbuster in a Marvel-esque cinematic universe. Daniel Brühl portrayed the film’s eccentric director Eric Bouchard, alongside Aya Cash as producer Anita, with Billy Magnussen and Richard E. Grant playing actors Adam Randolph and Peter Fairchild.
Created by Jon Brown, The Franchise was executive produced by acclaimed filmmaker Sam Mendes (American Beauty) and comedy veteran Armando Iannucci (Veep). Mendes also directed the series pilot. The show aimed to satirize the superhero film industry, pulling back the curtain on the chaos and dysfunction behind the scenes of a major franchise.
In a statement, an HBO spokesperson said, “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. While we won’t be moving forward with another season, we look forward to collaborating with all of them in the future.”
Despite receiving positive reviews—holding a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—the series struggled to find a substantial audience and did not break into Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming rankings. The decision to cancel aligns with the challenges faced by showbiz comedies, which often struggle to connect with broader viewership despite critical acclaim.
This marks another chapter in Iannucci’s longstanding collaboration with HBO, where he previously created Veep and the sci-fi comedy Avenue 5. Mendes also brought his cinematic expertise to television through his production company Neal Street Productions.
With its sharp humor and insider perspective, The Franchise explored the “secret chaos” of superhero filmmaking, asking how cinematic universes come to life—or fall apart. However, for HBO, this particular satirical lens has come to an end.