Entertainment

10 Greatest HBO Shows of the Last 5 Years, Ranked

Published

4 hours ago

3 May 2026

Joel and Ellie standing overlooking a garden in The Last of Us.

HBO is no stranger to producing great television. In fact, they’ve spent the last five years doing what they’ve done best: dominating the landscape with shows that feel distinct, purposeful, and (more often than not) worth the emotional investment. Indeed, from sprawling fantasy epics and prestige dramas to offbeat comedies and genre-bending experiments, the network’s output hasn’t just been strong—it’s been varied in a way that keeps audiences constantly on their toes.

No wonder they’ve prevailed throughout awards season. In the past half-decade, HBO has delivered a handful of shows that redefined what their genres could look like—whether through bold storytelling choices, clever IP selections, unforgettable performances, or a willingness to take creative risks. Either way, these are the most recent shows, starting from 2021 (sorry Succession fans), that prove to be a cut above the rest.

10

‘The Last of Us’ (2023–Present)

Set in a post-apocalyptic America, ravaged by a fungal outbreak, hardened smuggler Joel (Pedro Pascal) is tasked with escorting young Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the country as she may hold the key to creating a cure. But what starts as a transactional mission quickly evolves as the pair navigate hostile survivors, militant factions, and the lingering ghosts of their pasts—all while forging an unexpected bond.

As an adaptation of a beloved video game, The Last of Us shines in how it shapes survival as both a physical feat and an emotional cost. This is because, unlike others in its genre, this show is not a mere tale about zombies: it’s a careful analysis of human nature. Joel’s growing attachment to Ellie isn’t just framed as heroic—it’s messy, selfish, and by the finale, morally devastating. It’s a show that constantly asks whether love is a saving grace or a destructive force. Add in the career-best performances, and you’ve got an adaptation that’s genuinely haunting and incredibly moving. Fingers-crossed, Season 3 doesn’t fall into a slump.

9

‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–Present)

Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) stands regally before two fierce dragons and a castle.

Nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones, King Viserys (Paddy Considine) of House Targaryen breaks centuries of tradition by naming his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock, later Emma D’Arcy), as his successor. However, when Viserys later remarries and produces a son, the realm (and his family) engage in a bitter dispute over who has the rightful claim to the Iron Throne.

Rather than chasing the obvious spectacle of the legendary Targaryen dynasty, House of the Dragon leans into the psychology of power: how it warps relationships, distorts truth, and erodes trust over time. Most of the characters aren’t painted as simple rivals but as products of a system that pits them against each other, making every confrontation feel tragically inevitable. It strangely feels like a more intimate, deliberate kind of storytelling, but one that pays off in its devastating portrayal of a family tearing itself apart. Let’s hope Season 3 can up the ante.

8

‘Somebody Somewhere’ (2022–2024)

Bridget Everett and Jeff Hiller stand together at a ballpark in Somebody Somewhere Season 3

After the death of her sister, Sam (Bridget Everett) returns to her hometown in Kansas, but struggles to find her footing in a place she once knew. Thankfully, just before she fully disconnects from those around her, Sam forms an unexpected bond with Joel (Jeff Hiller), a former classmate and now colleague who introduces her to a community of outsiders who embrace self-expression and vulnerability.

While simple in its premise, its radical sincerity is exactly what makes Somebody Somewhere resonate so deeply. There’s no rush in “fixing” Sam or neatly resolving her grief. Instead, the show finds meaning in the slow, often uncomfortable process of healing. Better still, the humor is less punchline-driven, allowing the comedy to come out by simply letting its characters exist. And in doing so, the show captures something incredibly universal about the loneliness and courage of seeking out connection.

7

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ (2026–Present)

Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg walking outside with Peter Claffey as Dunk in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Deep within Westeros, humble (but naive) hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), travels across the land, with his young squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) in search of purpose and opportunity. Their journey takes them through tournaments, political tensions, and crazed chance encounters, all of which gradually reveal that Egg is more important than he seems.

Despite this being yet another Game of Thrones spin-off, its smaller scope is what gives A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms its special charm. Dunk’s earnest sensibility and Egg’s hidden complexity create a dynamic that feels refreshingly grounded in a world of mythology and cynicism. Instead of constant betrayal, the show explores what it means when characters consistently try to do the right thing. Yes, it’s perhaps a gentler entry into the world of the Iron Throne, but one that still carries the weight of its history.

6

‘The Rehearsal’ (2022–Present)

Nathan Fielder helps ordinary people prepare for major life moments by constructing meticulously detailed simulations of real-world scenarios. From confessing a long-held lie to navigating parenthood, each “rehearsal” involves increasingly elaborate layers of planning. But as the experiments grow more complex, Nathan inserts himself deeper into the process, blurring the lines between facilitator and participant.

The brilliance of The Rehearsal lies in how it weaponizes discomfort. Beneath the absurdity is a sharp exploration of control, anxiety, and the impossibility of training for life’s messiest moments. As Nathan inserts himself deeper into his own experiments, the show begins to question its own ethics, turning the camera inward in ways that are both hilarious and deeply unsettling. Think of it as a twisted (and much darker) Jury Duty.

5

‘The White Lotus’ (2021–Present)

Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan walking in market street in The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 4.

A group of wealthy guests arrives at the luxurious White Lotus resort expecting a time of relaxation, only to be met with personal tensions bubbling to the surface. As staff caters to their every need, classes divide, relationships fracture, and hidden resentments begin to unravel, all of which culminate in a shocking death.

Despite the rotating cast and locations, The White Lotus has secured its addictive status for its razor-sharp social commentary that just so happens to be wrapped in dark humor. The characters are often deeply flawed—sometimes outright insufferable—but never without dimension, making their unraveling both entertaining and revealing. It helps that the performances are top-tier, especially with Mike White‘s iconic and extremely quotable lines from The White Lotus. Think of it as satire with teeth, one that knows exactly where to sink them.

4

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

Evan Peters and Kate Winslet wearing coats, walking along side one another in 'Mare of Easttown'. — Evan Peters and Kate Winslet wearing coats, walking along side one another in ‘Mare of Easttown’.

In a small Pennsylvanian town, detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) is tasked with investigating the murder of a young mother, while still reeling from her own personal tragedies. As the case unfolds, Mare’s professional responsibilities begin to collide with her personal life, pulling her deeper into the secrets of a community so intensely connected.

Like all great crime dramas, Mare of Easttown refuses to separate the mystery from its central character. Indeed, Mare isn’t just solving a murder; she’s navigating grief, guilt, and the weight of expectation in a place where everyone knows her history. The performances ground the story in something deeply human, ensuring that every twist carries emotional consequences. So, if you’re in for a solid single-season binge, this should be at the top of your list.

3

‘The Penguin’ (2024)

Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb putting his hands on either side of the face of Rhenzy Feliz as Victor in The Penguin

Following the events of The Batman, Oswald “Oz” Cobb (Colin Farrell) makes his maneuvers to rise through the ranks of Gotham’s criminal underworld. And with the city in complete disarray from the floods, this becomes much easier. His plan of attack? Meddle with the deep-seated rivalry between the Falcone and the Maroni families—the city’s greatest criminal overlords.

In a world of superhero fatigue, The Penguin stands out for its centralization of a deeply complex being. For many, there’s an intrigue in how Oz’s ruthlessness feels somewhat human. His hunger for respect, his insecurity, and his extreme adaptability are what make him both dangerous and strangely sympathetic. And the show doesn’t shy away from that, nor paint him as a cartoonish villain. Instead, it paints a portrait of ambition unchecked, and where every victory comes at a cost of moral darkness.

2

‘Hacks’ (2021–2026)

Jean Smart's Deborah on the phone with Hannah Einbinder's Ava listening closely in Hacks Season 5 — Jean Smart’s Deborah on the phone with Hannah Einbinder’s Ava listening closely in Hacks Season 5

Legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is forced to reinvent her act if she hopes to stay relevant in the modern cultural scene. This leads her to reluctantly hire Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a young writer whose career has stalled after a public controversy. But while the two women initially clash over generational differences and opposing perspectives, they learn to collaborate, which leads to their relationship evolving into something much more complicated and unexpectedly personal.

At its core, Hacks thrives on the push-and-pull between its leads. Deborah and Ava challenge each other in ways that are often uncomfortable but ultimately necessary, with their growing bond forming the backbone of the entire series. It’s sharp, funny, and deeply reflective of the vulnerabilities that come with reinvention (especially within the entertainment industry). Throw in some other iconic ensemble members from Hacks, and you’ve got an award-winning show that captures the intersection of ambition, ego, and insecurity.

1

‘The Pitt’ (2025–Present)

Sepideh Moafi, Taylor Deareden, Katherine LaNasa, Gerran Howell, and Supriya Ganesh in The Pitt Season 2.

Set in the high-stakes environment of a chaotic, underfunded emergency department in a Pittsburgh trauma center, Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) leads his team during a 15-hour, real-time shift. But as time passes, and the pressure of the job mounts, personal struggles and professional responsibilities begin to blur, revealing the emotional toll of working within an overstretched system.

While there are many great dramas on television, The Pitt sets itself apart with its unflinching commitment to realism—one that also never loses sight of its humanity. The medical cases are intense, but it’s their cumulative weight that truly lands, shaping every character in subtle, lasting ways. There’s no easy catharsis here, just the quiet resilience required to keep going in the face of exhaustion and loss. It’s gripping without being overly sensational, emotional without being manipulative. A rare perfect balance in the medical genre and one that makes it HBO’s most compelling recent achievement.

The Pitt

Release Date: January 9, 2025
Network: Advertisement

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Showrunner: R. Scott Gemmill
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Directors: Amanda Marsalis

Noah Wyle
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Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch
Tracy Ifeachor
Dr. Heather Collins
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“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Tatyana Ali details traumatizing birth of son: 'They pushed him back inside me'

Published

8 minutes ago

3 May 2026

NewsAdmin

“It’s an incredibly dangerous thing that they did,” she recalled. “They could have snapped his neck.”

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30 Years Later, Sean Connery’s ‘Die Hard’ Replacement Is a Free Streaming Favorite

Published

22 minutes ago

3 May 2026

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Sean Connery with a cut down his face in 'The Rock'

Following Daniel Craig‘s ushering of the franchise into a modern era, the future of the James Bond franchise is in the hands of a global powerhouse after Amazon acquired the rights to the iconic spy series for an eye-watering $1 billion. Director Denis Villeneuve has been confirmed for the director’s chair for the next Bond movie, although his work on the Dune franchise will keep Bond away until 2028, according to reports. Villeneuve will be joined in a dream partnership by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight as the man behind the script for the 26th Bond movie. Although we’re still some time away, Knight has already promised a “stronger and bolder” story than Bond fans have seen before.

So we know who the big names are behind the scenes, but who will be starring in front of the camera? Thus far, we’re not much closer to finding out the identity of the new 007, although Eternity star Callum Turner remains a favorite as Amazon apparently searches for a younger actor to take on the role. Whatever the outcome, the budding young hopeful taking over the role will indeed have to walk in the shoes of several Hollywood icons. Of all the many names to have played 007, it’s impossible to look past the first as one of the best.

Sean Connery‘s Bond movies are the stuff of legend, although the actor also appeared in several other iconic action movies, one of which is currently a streaming hit 30 years after its release. The movie in question is 1996’s The Rock (not to be confused with Dwayne Johnson), directed by Michael Bay before he tackled some of the biggest Hollywood franchises. At the time of writing, The Rock is one of the ten most-streamed movies on Tubi in the U.S., a list currently topped by a pair of Predator movies.

Who Else Starred in ‘The Rock’?

It wasn’t just the burgeoning talent of Bay and the veteran instincts of Connery that helped The Rock become a quintessential ’90s action classic; the movie also featured a selection of other famous names. The star-studded ensemble also includes Nicolas Cage as Stanley Goodspeed, Ed Harris as General Hummel, David Morse as Major Baxter, Michael Biehn as Commander Anderson, and William Forsythe as Special Agent Paxton.

The Rock is a streaming hit on Tubi. Stay tuned to Collider for the latest streaming stories.

Release Date: June 7, 1996
Runtime: 137 minutes
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Writers: David Weisberg, Douglas S. Cook, Jonathan Hensleigh, Mark Rosner

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10 cartoons from the '70s that still hold up today

Published

35 minutes ago

3 May 2026

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Not every animated series from the 1970s appeals to audiences in the 2020s, but these 10 should still capture your attention

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Netflix’s 6-Part Crime Thriller Adaptation Is Still One of the Best Ever Made

Published

48 minutes ago

3 May 2026

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Editor’s note: The below mentions sexual assault and domestic abuse.

Margaret Atwood may be best known for her seminal novel The Handmaid’s Tale, but the prolific writer has six decades’ worth of published material under her belt. Given that repertoire, her works haven’t been brought to screen as often as one would expect. In a fun twist of fate, the same year that Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale debuted to widespread acclaim, a correspondingly visceral adaptation of Atwood’s 1996 book hit Netflix.

Directed by Mary Harron (American Psycho) and written by Sarah Polley (Women Talking), the Canadian miniseries Alias Grace fictionalizes the life of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon), a notoriously controversial historical figure. Harron and Polley magnify Atwood’s scathing analysis into an enthralling psychological thriller ripe with impeccable suspense, lush subtlety, and fraught curiosity.

What Is ‘Alias Grace’ About?

In 1843, 16-year-old Irish immigrant Grace Marks and her fellow servant, James McDermott (Kerr Logan), were convicted of murdering their wealthy Canadian employer, Thomas Kinnear (Paul Gross), and his housekeeper-slash-lover, Nancy Montgomery (Anna Paquin). McDermott was executed, but the court commuted Grace’s death sentence to life in prison. Three decades later, Grace received a formal pardon and vanished like smoke in the wind.

Debate still ripples over whether Grace was an accessory in McDermott’s vicious double homicide, an active perpetrator, or an unaware bystander McDermott kidnapped and framed as a scheming mastermind. Atwood’s creative liberties embrace the true crime case’s turbulent economic backdrop and the symbolic potential behind the verdict’s unsettling ambiguity. Alias Grace offers no definitive answers; even the details Grace describes as indisputable fact could be fabricated.

Regardless, the events inform the outlook of this “celebrated murderess” — and her father’s childhood abuse, her mother’s traumatic death, and her younger siblings depending upon her as a financial provider, strike too close to home to suspend disbelief. Grace’s employers enjoy their comforts while her sore, sweaty muscles scrub floors, any complaints locked behind her closed teeth. Grace repeats such obedience during her sanatorium days and earns special privileges for behaving as composed and articulate as decorum dictates.

‘Alias Grace’ Combines History, Speculation, and Biting Critique

Underneath Grace’s studiously neutral expressions, however, lies astute intelligence and seething resentment. Household after household, she witnesses how predatory men corner, assault, and kill women in a casual and remorseless cycle. One privileged son sweeps Grace’s only friend, the rebellious Mary Whitney (Rebecca Liddiard), off her feet. Once she’s pregnant, he abandons her. Desperate, knowing her tarnished reputation is an unmarried worker’s death sentence, Mary risks an illegal abortion and dies from mutilation and blood loss. Grace comprehends the agonizing rhythm of her Puritanical world — which some women uphold for their own security or superiority — long before it commodifies her into a sensationalized, malleable blank slate upon which to project patriarchal misogyny.

Netflix’s 6-Part ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Replacement Is an Instant Streaming Hit

Molly Windsor leads the cast.

Regardless of Grace’s guilt or innocence, every reporter, judge, and civilian twists her testimony to suit their contradictory agendas. For some, she’s a propaganda cautionary tale: a sinful seductress who violated her subservient role. Those campaigning for her exoneration paint her as a guileless and pure victim. Bored socialites gawk because they crave thrilling entertainment. As for her mental and physical distress, consider yourself unsurprised that the doctors and penitentiary wards who brutally torture and rape Grace dismiss her as hysterical — the 19th century’s favorite catch-all diagnosis for women whose pain and fury defy an oppressive system.

Harron and Polley contrast how Victorian restraints warp Grace into a cultural lightning rod with the subversive opening image of her staring at her reflection. Grace’s identity as a working-class immigrant teenager navigating layered prejudices (class, gender, religion, xenophobia) illuminates why she’s offered up like a buffet feast. Everyone wants to pin this intriguing anomaly on their walls like a display insect. Yet Grace denies anyone access to her true self; they have no right to her last unmarred, private fragment. Even Grace’s unreliable narration invites the audience in yet holds them at a distance, evading facts when it matters most. She remains a self-contained mystery as painstakingly patchwork as Atwood’s quilt motif.

‘Alias Grace’ Is an Enthralling and Elusive Tragedy

Sarah Gadon as Grace Marks standing up in the courtroom looking straight ahead and wearing a pink dress and bonnet, with a crowd standing behind her, in Alias Grace

If Grace indeed got away with murder, was the act born of cruelty or because she saw violence as the only way to express resistance? Was she akin to the trapped animal that gnaws its leg off to escape — her survival instincts and cumulative rage misdirected? Either disquieting way, Atwood’s interpretation manipulates psychiatrist Simon Jordan (Edward Holcroft). Although he presumes himself kind, he falls for his preconceived, constructed fantasy of a delicate creature who needs white-knight protection, and his sexual violence still explodes like an inevitable bomb. Jordan’s infatuated lust is another form of imprisonment; Grace’s sly rejection is the best justice she can seize.

Polley’s reverence for Atwood’s lyrical prose and resonant critiques shines through her superb translation. Harron’s adept hand for violence and satire lends itself to a psychological miasma — the laser-focused close-ups, the dread permeating like walls closing in. Piece by piece, the mesmerizing Gadon embodies a woman with manifold depth. Her straight-backed, opaque poise and piercing, soulful eyes attest to a subjugated child who’s never had the luxury of naivety, as well as a discerning, lonely adult whose safety depends upon satisfying performative mandates. All this said, one does wish for a multifaceted tableau that isn’t as white-centric. Even so, Alias Grace haunts viewers like the hushed murmurs of “murderess” trail Grace’s steps.

Alias Grace

Release Date: Advertisement

2017 – 2017-00-00
Network: CBC Television
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Directors: Mary Harron

Edward Holcroft
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Mrs. Quenell

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Joy Behar alleges “Hiding Out ”director made her cry on set of Jon Cryer movie: 'Wasn't nice to me'

Published

1 hour ago

3 May 2026

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Cryer appeared Friday on “The View,” where Behar recalled working with him on the 1987 movie directed by Bob Giraldi.

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DWTS Pro Sasha Farber’s Dating History Through the Years

Published

1 hour ago

3 May 2026

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Dancing With the Stars pro Sasha Farber has had a busy few years in the romance department.

The dancer has been linked to three high-profile women: longtime love and fellow DWTS pro Emma Slater, Bachelorette alum Jenn Tran and Pretty Little Liars star Janel Parrish.

“I hate dating. But it takes like a sec, you got to meet the person. There’s a lot that goes into when you want to find someone special,” Farber said on the “Casual Chaos” podcast in January 2026, noting that DWTS has a history of showmances turning into real relationships. “[On the show], you’re just thrown in. ‘Let’s go. Hi, nice to meet you. OK, we are going to rub hips. We are going to dip. We are going to do this. I want to get in your face here. You have to really look at me.’”

Here’s a look at where each of Farbers’ relationships stands — and how they unfolded:

Emma Slater: From Co-Stars to Exes Who Stayed Close (2011-2024)

Sasha-and-Emma-GettyImages-625249288. — Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Farber and Slater met in 2009 and started dating in 2011. Three years in, they paused the romance but kept working together on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.

In a December 2014 Glamour interview, the U.K. native opened up about their bond beyond a romantic relationship.

“It goes through moments, but I think the world of Sasha. I really do,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been so close to him for three years of my life. He’s just the best person. I don’t think we’re supposed to finish together. I think there are other people that might make us both individually happy, but I’m always going to be his best friend.”

The two reconnected in 2015 and Farber proposed on DWTS in October 2016. The couple wed in 2018. They split in February 2023 and finalized their divorce the following year.

Despite the breakup, Farber and Slater have stayed friendly. In a TikTok shared by Slater in March 2026, Farber mouthed, “Your ex-husband is so attractive,” and Slater responded, “But you’re my ex-husband.” After fans criticized the chummy dynamic, Slater fired back.

“If you can’t handle that exes can be mature and can be friends, I’m sending you love and positive vibes but I also know it’s not my problem to solve. Meant with love, I’ve just healed, moved on from that,” she wrote.

Jenn Tran: A ‘DWTS’ Romance That Quickly Fizzled (2024-2025)

Sasha-and-Jenn-GettyImages-2183918910 — Amy Sussman/Getty Images

After Tran’s engagement to Devin Strader collapsed following her season of The Bachelorette, she joined season 33 of DWTS and was paired with Farber. Romance rumors took off when Farber called Tran “babe” in a TikTok video.

Tran later credited Farber with helping her cope with the public fallout from her breakup.

“He kept reminding me that it’s the stuff that’s not online that really matters, It’s your friends and family who know you the best that really matters,” she told People in November 2024. “Right after the breakup, I was going through a lot of stuff being said online and stuff being spilled out, and I had to just turn my phone off.”

She added, “Sasha really helped ground me and tell me that it’s my friends and family who really matter at the end of the day and everything’s going to blow over on social media and just keep doing me because, at the end of the day, I only have myself, right?”

After Tran was eliminated in week 6, the two kept spending time together — and Tran admitted she was crashing on Farber’s couch. Us Weekly confirmed in December 2024 that the pair were officially dating.

The pair broke up by June 2025, when a source told Us Farber and Tran are “no longer seeing each other.” The insider added that Tran is “focusing hard on her studies” in PA school and “not letting anything else get in the way of her goals right now.”

Janel Parrish: A Parking Lot Dance Turns Into Something More (April 2025)

Sasha-and-Janel-_1777315025_3884721512914048501_544852980 — Courtesy of Sasha Farber/ Instagram

In a clip posted to Farber’s Instagram in April 2026, the Hallmark actress appeared alongside the dancer as the two danced in a parking lot.

“She’s still got it @janelparrish 🔥,” Farber captioned the video, which Parrish reshared alongside the caption, “When you ask @sashafarber1 to teach you a dance in the parking lot.”

Days later, Parrish confirmed her separation from husband Chris Long after eight years of marriage.

Parrish and Farber both previously appeared on season 19 of DWTS in 2014, when Parrish was partnered with pro Val Chmerkovskiy and Farber was part of the show’s troupe. Almost a decade later, Parrish and Farber hard-launched their romance in April 2026.

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.

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Jane Fonda clarifies her Barbra Streisand shade about Robert Redford's Oscars tribute: 'I thought I was being funny'

Published

1 hour ago

3 May 2026

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Jane Fonda, who starred in four movies with the late Robert Redford, previously said she should’ve honored him on stage instead of Barbra Streisand.

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Forget ‘The Walking Dead’ — Prime Video’s 6-Part Forgotten Sci-Fi Is the Perfect Weekend Binge

Published

2 hours ago

3 May 2026

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The entertainment space has been flooded with haunting images of what a post-apocalypse might look like for years. From visceral big-screen entries like 28 Days Later and World War Z to television shows like The Walking Dead, audiences have become accustomed to the dire and urgent tone that these productions have associated with the end of civilization as we know it. And to be clear, these new techniques have been very effective in re-energizing a somewhat dormant genre at the turn of the century. Still, there is room in the space for other things. There is a limited series streaming on MGM+ that takes a different approach to The End of Days.

Earth Abides is based on George R. Stewart‘s sci-fi book of the same name and stars Alexander Ludwig as Ish and Jessica Frances Dukes as Emma, two survivors of a worldwide plague that has killed off 99% of humanity. What show creator and director Todd Komarnicki has done completely subverts the typical tropes of the genre as we have come to understand it in the last 25 years and instead inserts some hope and a nurturing environment that spans several decades and generations. If the long-running NBC hit show This Is Us and genre-defining AMC smash The Walking Dead were to have a lovechild, it would look a lot like Earth Abides.

Notably, the series was conceived as a limited series with its story fully contained in its current run, and there are no plans for a second season.

What Is ‘Earth Abides’ About?

When Ish comes to after being in a weeks-long coma from a venomous snake bite, he finds the world’s population has succumbed to a quickly spreading plague, and there are only a handful of people left alive (Yes, it does sound like Rick Grimes’s predicament in The Walking Dead or Jim in 28 Days Later). After a bad experience with survivors in Las Vegas and then several days on his own, he miraculously comes across Emma, and together, they fall in love and begin rebuilding with the little resources they have left.

They have children together at their San Lupo commune and, over many years, take in newcomers and form a commune with the intent of surviving and thriving in a new world they build together. The population of their new community begins to swell after they selectively allow new survivors to be a part of a new beginning. As much as Earth Abides works to keep the show’s mood different from the sadness and melancholy of other post-apocalyptic entries, it doesn’t pretend that challenges don’t exist.

‘Earth Abides’ Accentuates the Positives, but Also Addresses the Negatives of Starting Over

Earth Abides is unique in focusing primarily on the rewarding aspects of rebuilding civilization, including raising a family free from social distortion and forming lifelong friendships with like-minded survivors. It is an example of what can happen if the humans remaining after a cataclysmic event unite for the mutual good of a new society instead of trying to conquer other groups, as seen in The Walking Dead and others, and hordes of flesh-eating zombies that have also become the post-apocalyptic threat du jour. But to be clear, it is far from all rainbows and gumdrops in a depleted and broken world, and not everyone will fall in line with the way Ish and Emma try to maintain peace and order at San Lupo.

There is still malfeasance among some of the survivors, which is consistent with human nature. The edge of Earth Abides comes from the tension created every time Ish and Emma are feeling out newcomers and their true motivations. For instance, in Episode 5, a newcomer named Charlie (Aaron Tveit) initially appears to be a Godsend as he is able to locate and successfully pull water from an underground well when they are running low. But after several weeks, he is revealed to be a rapist. Ish, Emma, and the senior elders of the commune members, including Jorge (Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll), Maurine (Elyse Levesque), Molly (Luisa D’Oliveira), and Ezra (Birkett Turton), decide that the penalty for what he has done is death. Ish savagely beats him with a hammer. Despite an overarching theme of love and kindness, the ugliness of men isn’t ignored or underplayed; the world is still savage, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely hopeless.

Earth Abides is available to stream on MGM+ in the U.S.

Release Date: 2024 – 2024-00-00
Showrunner: Todd Komarnicki
Directors: Advertisement

Bronwen Hughes, Rachel Leiterman, Stephen Campanelli

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Why Audrina Patridge Wants Spencer Pratt to Win Mayor Race

Published

2 hours ago

3 May 2026

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The Hills star Audrina Patridge honestly hopes her former costar Spencer Pratt becomes the next mayor of Los Angeles.

“I’m actually excited,” Partridge, 40, exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, May 1, while attending Calamigos Ranch Resort & Spa’s Leading Hotels of the World accreditation celebration. “He impressed me. I listened to some of his interviews, and at first when I heard, I was like, ‘Wait, is he really doing it? Is it a joke? Is it real?’ But he is, and he is very intelligent, and I think that he would make a lot of change to L.A. and he would follow through with what he said.”

She continued, “So I’m rooting for him.”

As a resident of Orange County, Partridge is unable to vote in the upcoming mayoral election. Still, she hopes her former reality TV castmate can “bring back” the Los Angeles she remembers from 15 years ago.

“He’s very smart. He knew how to work reality TV. I know politics is very different — but I mean, he seems very intelligent and is well educated on what he needs to do,” she said. “Bring back L.A., what it was 15 years ago when it was fun to go out. It’s so different now.”

Pratt, 42, announced his mayoral campaign on January 7 — one year after the devastating L.A. wildfires destroyed his and wife Heidi Montag’s home.

Why Audrina Patridge Is Rooting for The Hills Costar Spencer Pratt to Win L.A. Mayoral Race — Audrina Patridge Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Calamigos Ranch

“The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling, it’s fundamentally broken,” the former reality TV star said while speaking at the “They Let Us Burn” public demonstration. “It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash. Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action.”

The controversial candidate is among 13 challengers trying to unseat incumbent Karen Bass. If successful, Pratt will join a growing list of reality TV stars-turned-politicians, including Real World’s Sean Duffy, now the secretary of transportation, and Celebrity Apprentice’s Donald Trump, currently the president of the United States.

Like Trump, 79, Pratt’s campaign is already causing controversy after he released an ad filmed outside the homes of two of his opponents — Bass and Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman.

Raman condemned Pratt for filming outside her house, calling it an “unnecessary and reckless” political stunt, while Mayor Bass accused her rival of doing his “best Trump impression.”

The controversy only seemed to help Pratt, who received an infusion of campaign cash from former Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, a bump in poll numbers and an increase in celebrity endorsements. Political commentator and former The View cohost Meghan McCain has predicted Pratt will win the mayoral race.

Pratt’s sister Stephanie Pratt, however, has condemned her brother’s political ambitions, calling him “unqualified” and “inexperienced.”

“Spencer has done great work for the Palisades,” she wrote via X in February after her brother announced his candidacy. “But LA does not need another unqualified and inexperienced mayor. A vote for him is a vote for stupidity.” (Us reached out to Spencer at the time for comment.)

In an exclusive interview with Us, Spencer spoke candidly about his political goals.

“Winning the mayor’s race will be a victory for truth and transparency, which is what I’ve been fighting for this whole year,” he said in January. “The end goal is the same: to shine a light into the darkness.”

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