Three seasons can be a strange amount of television. It is long enough for a show to establish clear stakes and get the audience attached to its characters, but short enough for every single episode to matter. HBO seems to have mastered the art of the three-season format because the network has proven, time and again, that a show does not need endless time on air to remain memorable.

These shows know exactly what kind of story they are telling, even if that story changes dramatically along the way, which is why they never feel restricted or incomplete. The HBO shows on this list may differ in tone and scale, but they all know how to make three seasons feel like just enough.

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‘His Dark Materials’ (2019–2022)

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His Dark Materials had a difficult job from the beginning because adapting Philip Pullman’s work that features parallel worlds, talking armored bears, soul-like animal companions, and some very heavy ideas about religion and free will is no easy feat. The series handles all of that surprisingly well, though. The story follows Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen), a young girl living at Jordan College who discovers that children in the town are mysteriously disappearing. Her search eventually leads her to Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wilson), a powerful and deeply unsettling woman with ties to the Magisterium and knowledge about Dust, a mysterious substance that the authorities are desperate to understand and control. As the story expands, Lyra discovers that her world is only one of many. She eventually meets Will Parry (Amir Wilson), who becomes the bearer of the Subtle Knife, a weapon capable of cutting openings between realities. From there, His Dark Materials grows into a much larger conflict involving angels, witches, armies, and Lord Asriel (James McAvoy), whose war against the Authority begins to reshape the fate of every world.

The great thing about His Dark Materials is that it never lets all this mythology overwhelm Lyra and Will’s personal stories. The show gradually expands its scale, but the emotional core remains intimate till the very end. His Dark Materials goes bigger every season without ever getting lost in its own world, and that is the true mark of great storytelling.

4

‘The Deuce’ (2017–2019)

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The Deuce is one of HBO’s most underrated gems. The show, created by David Simon and George Pelecanos, begins in 1971, when sex work, organized crime, bars, and the emerging adult film industry all overlap around 42nd Street, Manhattan. The story centers on bartender Vincent Martino (James Franco), who gets pulled deeper into the neighborhood’s nightlife while also dealing with the messes created by his reckless twin brother Frankie (also Franco). The show also follows sex worker Eileen “Candy” Merrell (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who gradually sees filmmaking as a way to gain more control over her own life.

What makes The Deuce especially interesting is how much the world changes between seasons. Season 2 jumps ahead to 1977, when pornography had taken a much more commercial turn, and shows Candy as she begins directing films herself. Season 3 then moves forward again to 1985, when Times Square is starting to transform, AIDS has changed the community, and the city is becoming increasingly determined to clean up the neighborhood that these characters helped build their lives around. The show is essentially an entire history lesson. However, instead of following one rise-and-fall story, it shows the transformation of an entire ecosystem. The series can be compared to the likes of The Wire in terms of its scope and patient storytelling that gives bartenders, sex workers, cops, pimps, and every other major player enough space to feel like the same complex world.

3

‘Deadwood’ (2004–2006)

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Deadwood deserves a lot more recognition because it goes beyond just the gunfights and violence to tell a story that truly matters. The series, created by David Milch, is set in the lawless mining camp of Deadwood, South Dakota, in the 1870s. The story largely revolves around Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), a former marshal who comes to Deadwood to open a hardware store, and Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), the ruthless owner of the Gem Saloon who already has a firm grip on much of the town.

Deadwood begins with the rivalry between the two men but gradually expands beyond that as prospectors, businessmen, criminals, and drifters all arrive hoping to make something of themselves before the town is fully brought under government control. The series doesn’t behave like a conventional Western show because its most important battles are psychological as the camp begins transforming into an actual town with laws, offices, and institutions while the locals are still stuck in their old ways. That narrative about civilization being built in real time is what makes the series feel much bigger than a simple story about the Old West.

2

‘Somebody Somewhere’ (2022–2024)

Image via HBO

Somebody Somewhere proves that an HBO show does not need a massive high-concept mystery or political stakes to be completely absorbing. The series, created by Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, follows Sam (Bridget Everett), who has returned to her hometown of Manhattan, Kansas, and is still struggling with the death of her sister Holly. Sam feels completely disconnected from both her family and the town she grew up in until she befriends Joel (Jeff Hiller), an upbeat coworker who introduces her to a group of outsiders who have created their own little community in a place where none of them completely fit in.

Somebody Somewhere keeps its story refreshingly small. The audience follows Sam as she tries to reconnect with her love of singing, deals with her complicated relationship with her sister Tricia (Mary Catherine Garrison), and slowly becomes more comfortable letting other people into her life. Most episodes of the show are built around dinners, awkward conversations, and people spending time together, and that simplicity is its greatest strength. Across just three seasons, Somebody Somewhere becomes less about Sam finding a grand purpose and more about realizing that a meaningful life can be built from much smaller things. It is definitely one of HBO’s less intense shows, but that also one that feels more relatable than any other.

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‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

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The Leftovers isn’t the breeziest show to watch, but its ambition is what makes it stand out. The series, created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, begins three years after the Sudden Departure, an unexplained event where 2% of the world’s population vanished without any explanation. Now, most shows would focus on that mystery and uncover what really happened, but The Leftovers chooses to focus on those who were left behind and the different ways they try to make sense of this new world they are in. The Leftovers Season 1 follows police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux), who is desperately trying to hold his family together while his wife Laurie (Amy Brenneman) has abandoned them to join the Guilty Remnant, a silent cult dedicated to remembering the old world.

The show also follows Nora Durst (Carrie Coon), whose husband and two children disappeared in the Sudden Departure. Now, Season 2 is when The Leftovers really picks up because it relocates its characters to a town where nobody disappeared. The first installment of the show is deliberately bleak and unsettling, but the show becomes increasingly confident as it progresses. It expands beyond Mapleton while taking bigger creative risks with its structure, tone, and mythology. By The Leftovers Season 3, the show has covered everything from grief to humor, religion, and even the supernatural without overstaying its welcome.

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The Leftovers

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2014 – 2017-00-00

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Damon Lindelof

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Damon Lindelof, Tom Perrotta

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Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour looked very different from what fans may have expected when the singer-songwriter took to the stage in Philadelphia.

On Saturday, September 19, multiple fan accounts revealed the staging for that night’s gig at Lincoln Financial Field would not include a B-stage.

Sheeran, 35, has traditionally performed fan requests on this secondary stage during a portion of his Loop Tour concerts. (No song requests were taken in Philadelphia, as of publication.)

It has unquestionably been a tumultuous week for Sheeran in the wake of the controversy over Macklemore being dropped as a Loop Tour support act.

Related: Ms. Rachel Vows to Match Macklemore’s $1M Donation to Palestinian Charity

Children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel has vowed to donate $1 million to charity in the wake of Macklemore being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour over his public support for Palestinians. “I will match Macklemore’s donation and I invite every white celebrity to match and speak out against the genocide in Gaza,” Ms. Rachel, 43, announced […]

The “Same Love” rapper, 43, ignited controversy while opening for Sheeran at two concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month when he declared “Free Palestine” during a performance of his protest track “Hind’s Hall.”

Sheeran allegedly faced pressure from tour promoters and venue owners — including Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft — over allowing Macklemore to continue performing at upcoming shows. Macklemore was ultimately dismissed as one of Sheeran’s openers on Monday, September 14.

“Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from the Loop Tour. I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim,” Macklemore wrote in a statement on Monday. “We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families.”

The hip-hop star added, “[Ed] told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with. I hope this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement. I hope we both continue listening, studying what is happening in Palestine and wrestling with what neutrality means in a moment like this. My door will always be open to continuing that conversation.”

Sheeran broke his silence over the brewing scandal on Tuesday, September 15, denying that he’d personally decided to remove Macklemore from eight scheduled concerts.

“I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. … I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so,” Sheeran wrote in a statement. “I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.”

Macklemore has continued his advocacy by donating his $1 million Loop Tour salary to Palestinian organizations. He challenged Kraft, 85, to do the same — with the New England Patriots owner later confirming he’d matched Sheeran’s own $2 million donation to support humanitarian aid.

Ahead of Saturday’s Loop Tour stop in Philadelphia, fans were advised that the show would start at 8 p.m. ET, rather than the traditional showtime of 5:30 p.m. The change was likely caused by support acts Finneas and Lukas Graham dropping out of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Ticket prices on the resale market also seemingly took a hit prior to the Philly gig, as seats that were listed at $100 on Tuesday dropped to as low as $42 on Saturday.

For his part, Sheeran opened up the Philadelphia show with a lengthy statement about the events of the past week.

“This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take [it in] and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry,” he told fans.

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Sheeran said he’d been placed “in the middle of an important, passionate argument” — before condemning both the “horrific” violence unleashed on October 7, 2023, as well as the “catastrophic and unjustifiable” loss of life in Gaza. (The United Nations issued a report in June stating that 20,000 children have been killed and more than 44,000 have been injured in the region since hostilities escalated on October 7, 2023.)

“I’m listening and learning. I do not know enough [about the conflict],” he acknowledged.

Sheeran is next scheduled to play at the Kraft-owned Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26.

It seems everyone with even the slightest association with the MCU is joining the team for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. However, one name is still missing from the official lineup: Ryan Reynolds. Although it has been heavily teased by the man himself and reports from different outlets offer conflicting stories, there is not yet any official word about Deadpool’s involvement following the huge billion-dollar success of Deadpool & Wolverine.

Will Reynolds join Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Florence Pugh, Pedro Pascal, and more in Doomsday? That remains to be seen, but there are plenty of other Reynolds movies to keep us entertained as we wait to find out. One such film is The Hitman’s Bodyguard, a 2017 actioner starring Reynolds as the man in charge of protecting Samuel L. Jackson‘s Darius Kincaid, one of the world’s deadliest assassins. Described as a “Hail Mary” by Reynolds in a previous interview, the film proved a success, scoring a global box office haul of almost $200 million against a budget of just $30 million.

It might’ve earned mixed reviews from critics, but a positive audience reception and impressive theatrical run earned The Hitman’s Bodyguard a sequel, inventively titled Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, which was released in 2021. Both films were directed by Patrick Hughes, who previously worked with Jason Statham on the 2014 threequel, The Expendables 3. If some bonkers action-comedy from Reynolds and one of Hollywood’s biggest names sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll have to hurry, as The Hitman’s Bodyguard is officially leaving Netflix next month.

Could Another Ryan Reynolds Gem Make a Surprise Comeback?

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As one door closes, another might be opening for Reynolds fans. Back in June, during a panel hosted by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt at the Indiana Comic Convention, Amy Smart delivered a hopeful sequel update for the hugely underrated Just Friends, a comedy gem released in 2005 that co-starred Smart and Reynolds. “I hope that we do a Just Friends 2. I just want that one,” Smart said, adding that she thinks “Chris and Jamie got married, I think they have kids, but I don’t know what kind of drama ensues.”

The Hitman’s Bodyguard is leaving Netflix in October 2026. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for the latest streaming stories.

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Release Date

August 18, 2017

Runtime

118 minutes

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Director

Patrick Hughes

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Ed Sheeran returned to his Loop Tour after opening act Macklemore was dropped from the lineup for making pro-Palestinian remarks onstage.

“Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words about this last week,” Sheeran, 35, told fans during the Saturday, September 19, concert at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, per widely-circulated videos via social media. “I’m used to my music being criticized, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky. A lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised. I’m not surprised that I’ve even done it. You know, it’s normal.”

He went on to say, “This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take [it in] and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry.”

The singer-songwriter explained that he never wanted to “disappoint fans,” adding that he never intended to “be an activist.”

Related: Finneas and More Acts Exit Ed Sheeran’s Tour After Macklemore Is Dropped

Finneas and other musical acts are showing their support for Macklemore — and the Palestinian people — by exiting Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour amid the controversial decision to drop the Seattle rapper from the show. “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas, 29, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, September […]

“This has put me in the middle of an important, passionate argument about freedom of speech on the most complex issue on the planet,” Sheeran noted. “[My music] has always been a safe space for everyone. That matters hugely to me.”

He added, “Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am. That is why I’m here tonight — on my own — continuing my own tour.”

Sheeran addressed promoters who allegedly threatened to cancel his concerts if he’d kept Macklemore on the bill for his Loop Tour, saying he was “deeply worried” about interference in freedom of speech matters.

“It should never happen in the free world,” Sheeran insisted.

Admitting that he’s never wanted to be “a political commentator of any kind,” the four-time Grammy Award winner said he wanted his shows to be about “unity, not division” and “humanity, not politics.”

“But this is a humanitarian issue [in Palestine] and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore,” he told fans. “What happened in Israel on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable — and disproportionate. … The systemic injustice we see unfolding in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”

A report issued by the United Nations in June stated that 20,000 children have been killed and more than 44,000 have been injured in the region since hostilities escalated on October 7, 2023.

“I’m listening and learning. I do not know enough [about the conflict],” Sheeran said from the stage on Saturday.

As he seemingly broke down, Sheeran told fans, “I’m honestly so grateful that you’re here tonight with me.”

Sheeran headlined two concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month, where Macklemore, 43, was one of three opening acts alongside BIIRD and Lukas Graham, respectively. During both of the “Thrift Shop” rapper’s sets, he chanted “Free Palestine” and played his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall.”

After alleged pressure from stadiums hosting Loop Tour concerts this fall, Sheeran’s tour promoter dismissed Macklemore from the lineup ahead of his remaining eight scheduled gigs.

“Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from the Loop Tour. I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim,” Macklemore wrote in a social media statement shared Monday, September 14. “We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families.”

Describing Sheeran as “my friend” that he’s known for 13 years, Macklemore claimed that they had “difficult conversations” about the tour’s future.

“He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with,” Mackelmore alleged. “I hope this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement. I hope we both continue listening, studying what is happening in Palestine and wrestling with what neutrality means in a moment like this. My door will always be open to continuing that conversation.”

The “Thinking Out Loud” artist issued a statement the next day, decreeing that he still respects Macklemore and denied the responsibility of dropping his pal from the Loop Tour roster.

Related: Pink Addresses Reposting Criticism of Macklemore’s Pro-Palestine Speech

Pink has broken her silence regarding the backlash she faced for reposting criticism of Macklemore’s pro‑Palestinian remarks at Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows. “I’ve been quiet in my own words for a week, which you know isn’t like me. So here they are,” Pink, 47, began in an Instagram statement on Friday, September 11. The […]

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“After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” Sheeran wrote in his Tuesday, September 15, statement. “I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge.”

The British singer-songwriter further stressed that he hopes to use his platform and music “to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together.”

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“Those who have been to one of my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love and a place for everyone to feel welcome,” he added at the time. “I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.”

Days later, Sheeran’s fellow Loop Tour openers Graham, 34, and Finneas, as well as guest band Beoga left the concerts in solidarity with Macklemore.

The “Can’t Hold Us” rap star has since remained committed to sharing his message, announcing on Wednesday, September 16, that he would donate his $1 million Loop Tour salary to Palestinian organizations. After challenging Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft to do the same, Kraft, 85, announced that Sheeran pledged $2 million to provide humanitarian aid that the businessman matched.

Kevin Costner has reportedly been playing the field since his divorce drama, spending time with an Arizona lifestyle influencer, McKenna Wesley, while being linked to two other women.

The 71-year-old actor and Wesley, 39, have been seen together on several occasions, including a lunch outing in Santa Barbara this summer.

The reported relationship adds another chapter to Kevin Costner’s post-divorce love life, which has drawn attention since his split from Christine Baumgartner.

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According to sources cited by Page Six, Costner’s love life is at an interesting and complex state as he’s linked romantically to multiple women.

The actor recently sparked relationship buzz after he was seen being “extremely affectionate” with Jennifer Milburn, a lifestyle coach more than 30 years his junior.

Prior to that, Costner was rumored to be in a casual relationship with 47-year-old socialite Kelly Noonan Gores, the ex-wife of billionaire Alec Gores. Insiders last year even described their connection as incredibly “grounding” for him.

Now, it’s been revealed that the Oscar winner has also been spending time with influencer McKenna Wesley, whom he met in Scottsdale, Arizona, about a year ago. The city is Wesley’s hometown, and the pair reportedly connected through their shared interest in golf.

“They met in Scottsdale about a year ago. They both love to golf,” a source told the news outlet.

The first public sighting came in October 2025, when they were photographed together at a screening of Costner’s “Field of Dreams” at Scottsdale Stadium.

Costner hosted the event after the sixth annual Western Wiffle Ball Classic tournament. The appearance did not initially establish a romantic relationship, but the pair have reportedly remained in contact since then.

“She has been his guest on multiple occasions at his Santa Barbara and Aspen properties,” another source noted about the pair.

Kevin Costner’s Relationship With McKenna Wesley Has Stayed Private

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The duo’s growing connection has largely unfolded away from the spotlight. According to Page Six, Costner and Wesley have been seen together more than once, but neither has publicly confirmed that they are dating.

They were reportedly spotted having lunch together in Santa Barbara in August, a moment that was captured by a local resident and shared on Instagram.

The sighting added to the indications that their connection had continued beyond their initial Scottsdale appearance.

A representative for Wesley has addressed speculation about her and the Hollywood actor, stating that she “doesn’t wish to comment on her relationship with Mr. Costner.”

Reps for Costner have yet to respond, leaving the nature of their relationship officially unconfirmed, even as sources describe the two as having spent significant time together over the past year.

More About Kevin Costner’s Rumored Love Interest, McKenna Wesley

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Wesley is described as a lifestyle influencer and content creator who uses the social-media name @thebubblyblonde.

She has 421,000 followers on Instagram and identifies herself as an influencer and lifestyle content creator, with a focus on fashion, beauty, and luxury travel.

She is 39, making her 32 years younger than Costner. Her connection to Arizona is also significant because Scottsdale is where the pair reportedly met and where they were first publicly photographed together.

Beyond their shared interest in golf, little has been publicly established about how the relationship developed.

Neither Costner nor Wesley has offered a detailed account of their private life, and the available reporting comes primarily from sources and public sightings.

The Actor Has Also Been Romantically Linked To Hollywood Stars

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The actor, often regarded as one of Hollywood’s heartthrobs, has been married twice and has seven children from several relationships.

The recently reported relationship arrives after a turbulent period in Costner’s personal life. He divorced his second wife, Christine Baumgartner, following nearly two decades of marriage.

Baumgartner filed for divorce in May 2023, and the divorce was finalized in 2024.

The former couple shares three children: Cayden, Hayes, and Grace. Costner also has four other children from previous relationships, giving him seven children in total.

Besides his rumored romance with Wesley, Milburn and Goores, Costner has also been frequently linked to various women in Hollywood since his divorce.

Last year, he was linked to actress Sharon Stone when insiders claimed that they had a “flirty” interaction at the Governors Awards. He was then said to be getting close to singer Jennifer Lopez after they were briefly spotted together in Aspen. However, these rumors were quickly debunked.

Kevin Costner Continues To Balance His Complex Love Life With His Hollywood Career

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Costner’s reported connection with Wesley comes as he continues balancing his Hollywood career with a life spread across several properties.

He owns a large ranch in Aspen and a coastal compound in Carpinteria, California, while maintaining ties to Santa Barbara.

His homes provide a natural setting for a relationship that has so far remained private.

The Page Six source’s comments about Wesley being a guest at his Santa Barbara and Aspen properties suggest that their connection has extended beyond occasional public appearances.

Their reported history stretches back roughly a year, making the latest sightings part of a longer relationship rather than an entirely new one.

However, for now, the true state of things between the pair remains uncertain, with no confirmed announcement from either Costner or Wesley.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if a host of Angelenos stole some DVD players and, ten movies later, ended up being given the keys to the planet? Nope, nobody else did. But it worked, and it worked very well. As a result, we ended up with the weirdest, most intriguing spin-off that nobody ever asked for.

Seven years after becoming one of the biggest movies of 2019, Hobbs & Shaw has officially landed on Hulu. Directed by David Leitch (Bullet Train), the 2019 Fast & the Furious spin-off traded Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto for the unlikely partnership of Dwayne Johnson (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) as Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham (The Beekeeper) as Deckard Shaw.

The movie follows Hobbs and Shaw as they’re forced to work together after Shaw’s MI6-agent sister, Hattie, becomes the target of Brixton Lore. However, unlike Fast and Furious, it gets a bit… sci-fi. Enhanced with technology that gives him superhuman abilities, Brixton is pursuing a deadly programmable virus that could threaten humanity if it falls into the wrong hands.

The cast is led by Johnson and Statham, alongside Idris Elba (Luther) as Brixton Lore, Vanessa Kirby (The Fantastic Four: First Steps) as Hattie Shaw, Eiza González (3 Body Problem) as Madame M, Cliff Curtis (Avatar: The Way of Water) as Jonah Hobbs, Helen Mirren (The Queen) as Magdalene Shaw, and Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan) as Professor Andreiko.

Is David Leitch Working With Jason Statham Again?

Why yes, as a matter of fact he is. The pair is reuniting with the phenomenally titled Jason Statham Stole My Bike. Earlier this year, Collider’s Steve Weintraub spoke with Leitch about the film, and asked what we could expect from Statham in the movie. “No, he’s playing Jason Statham. He’s playing himself. I think that that’s what’s really interesting about it to me,” said Leitch. The film sees a heightened version of Statham playing himself, in the vein of Being John Malkovich, or The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Leitch says, however, that this will be somewhat different.

“I think it’s different than some of these other meta movies. We’re just really trying to capture something comedic and fun. Obviously, there are some referential things going on. There is a four-quadrant element to it. It’s fun, and it’s family, and it’s a chance for Jason and I to do something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time, and that’s, really, get together and make a story with a heart.”

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw is streaming now on Hulu.

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Release Date

August 2, 2019

Runtime

137 minutes

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College GameDay cohost Pat McAfee was momentarily speechless on live TV when Ole Miss fans made their feelings about former coach Lane Kiffin all too clear.

“Whatever you think about today, you can’t help but…,” McAfee, 39, trailed off on ESPN’s coverage as Ole Miss supporters began chanting “F*** Lane Kiffin” on Saturday, September 19.

With the booming chants getting louder, McAfee quipped, “OK … that wasn’t what I was thinking! It’s certainly what a lot of them are thinking!”

Saturday’s college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, marked the first time Kiffin, 51, returned to the venue since he left his head coaching job to lead the LSU Tigers.

“Lane Kiffin, he hopped in a truck and went right down to Baton Rouge. Now, he hopped in a couple trucks to head right back here to Oxford,” McAfee joked on College GameDay.

The coach announced his departure from Oxford in November 2025 after leading the Rebels to an 11-1 regular season. At the time, Ole Miss was preparing for its first College Football Playoff appearance.

“After a lot of prayer and time spent with family, I made the difficult decision to accept the head coaching position at LSU,” Kiffin announced last November.

Kiffin said that he’d hoped to “complete a historic six season run” with Ole Miss through the playoffs so he could honor “the team’s incredible success and their commitment to finish strong.”

“My request to do so was denied by [athletic director] Keith Carter despite the team also asking him to allow me to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance,” he added.

In the aftermath of his Ole Miss exit, Kiffin told ESPN in July that he regretted the way his move to LSU was handled.

“I think that’s a good thing that I look at life that way now, instead of saying, ‘No, I don’t. I was right,’” he argued. “I look at things always now, like, how could I have done them better? But it’s also easier when you’re further removed. There’s no emotion involved.”

Tensions are still running high on the Ole Miss campus, with Kiffin telling reporters that there were “real safety issues and stuff” ahead of Saturday’s game.

“There’s people that have a plan for that, it is what it is,” Kiffin said in a press conference on Monday, September 14. “But I told the players today, you don’t have anything to worry about as far as attention on you all week. There’s so much attention and hatred on me, you just get to go play.”

Lane’s daughter Landry — who is a student at Ole Miss — spoke out earlier this week to condemn vulgar banners from around the campus relating to her and a former Rebels football player. (Landry is actually dating LSU linebacker Whit Weeks.)

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“I’m still a student at Ole Miss. I’ve loved my time here, and I love Ole Miss. So that’s what kind of makes this all even more upsetting,” Landry, 21, explained via TikTok on Wednesday, September 16. “I opened my phone this morning to pictures of banners on houses around Oxford posted on different accounts saying really inappropriate things about me and with somebody that genuinely I have never met in my life, which makes it even more frustrating to say the least.”

She pointed out that “turning a girl into the punch line of a sexual joke” should never be acceptable.

“I understand emotions are high this week and people are upset, but I am my own person,” she told viewers. “I’ll just never understand how someone can feel good about themselves putting such vulgar things about a girl on a giant banner hanging from their house. I feel like that’s really mind-blowing to me. I just hope people realize there is an actual person behind the jokes that they make.”

Sharon Stone strolled through New York City in a deep brown dress that’s spot on for fall 2026. At 68-years-old, she’s still delivering the kind of effortless elegance that made her a style icon in the first place.

The look hit all the right notes for fall: rich chocolate brown, a curve-enhancing silhouette that highlighted her shape without squeezing and sleeves long enough to actually work for autumn weather in the city. You don’t need a stylist or a stylist’s budget to steal it. The Zesica Long Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress captures the same warm, wearable vibe for a fraction of what Stone’s designer number probably costs.

Get the Zesica Long Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress for $46 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

The Zesica Long Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress is the kind of dress that reads sophisticated without trying too hard, and it proves what plenty of us already know. Brown is having a serious moment, and it flatters skin tones in a way basic black sometimes doesn’t.

What makes this dress work is the body-flattering silhouette and comfy fabric. It shows off your shape in a slimming way, and most importantly, it doesn’t squeeze the tummy. In fact, Amazon shoppers confirm it gracefully skims over the midsection.

One five-star Amazon reviewer raved, “It snugs you in all the right places and the front flare helps hide belly pouch . . . used this for a fall wedding and got so many compliments!”

Pair the Zesica Long Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress with tall boots for a cool-weather brunch, dress it up with gold jewelry for a fall wedding or wear it with a matching trench coat for a chic monochromatic moment. It’s the kind of piece that quietly earns its spot in your closet and keeps showing up when you need it most.

Get the Zesica Long Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress for $46 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Related: Wedding RSVP? Shop 17 Under-$50 Amazon Dresses for Early Fall

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If you have a late summer or early fall wedding on your calendar, then you know the pains of finding the right dress to wear to the event. After all, the in-between season is one of the trickiest times to shop for a ceremony-coded outfit; summer dresses can feel too beachy, and full-on fall styles […]

In the golden age of television, few networks have shaped the medium with as much ambition and artistry as HBO. Known for pushing creative boundaries and elevating television to a cinematic level, HBO has been behind some of the most influential storytelling in modern entertainment, particularly when it comes to miniseries. These projects have consistently delivered powerful, self-contained narratives that leave a lasting impact.

From intimate character studies to sweeping historical epics, HBO’s miniseries have tackled subjects ranging from war and politics to identity, illness, and justice. What sets them apart is not just the quality of the writing or the caliber of the performances, but the network’s willingness to tell complex stories with nuance and depth. The most essential HBO miniseries of all time tells deeply human stories about people with emotional nuance and authenticity.

10

‘Tanner ’88’ (1988)

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Tanner ’88 is a satirical political mockumentary that follows the fictional Democratic presidential campaign of former Michigan Congressman Jack Tanner (Michael Murphy), during the 1988 U.S. presidential primaries. The series combines scripted drama with real-life political events and figures. It cleverly blurs the lines between fiction and reality, featuring cameos from actual politicians and journalists.

Tanner ’88 is considered one of the most essential HBO miniseries of all time because it was groundbreaking in both form and content, setting a new standard for political satire and prestige television. On a technical level, the series pioneered the idea of combining real events with fictional ones. Tanner ’88 paved the way for later series like The West Wing, Veep, and The Thick of It, making it a cornerstone in the evolution of politically themed television drama and satire.

9

‘Olive Kitteridge’ (2014)

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Olive Kitteridge is a four-part series based on Elizabeth Strout‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series stars Frances McDormand in the titular role. The story is set in a small coastal town in Maine, and spans 25 years. Olive, a sharp-tongued, emotionally closed-off schoolteacher, has to navigate her strained marriage, motherhood, and the day-to-day tragedies she and her family face.

Olive Kitteridge stands out as an essential HBO miniseries because of its deeply nuanced portrayal of a complex female protagonist. As a character-driven drama, the series offers an authentic portrayal of a woman struggling with mental illness, aging, grief, and the challenges of small-town life. Olive Kitteridge shines for its emotional honesty and refusal to simplify its characters, marking a milestone in HBO’s legacy of prestige TV.

8

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

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The Night Of is a crime drama miniseries that explores the complexities of the U.S. criminal justice system through the story of Nasir “Naz” Khan (Riz Ahmed), a Pakistani-American college student in New York City. He is accused of murdering a young woman after a night of partying. As Naz is pulled deeper into the legal system, The Night Of delves into themes of racial profiling, institutional failure, and moral ambiguity.

The Night Of is considered one of the most essential HBO series of all time because it redefined the crime drama genre with its intense realism and moral nuance. Rather than focusing solely on solving a mystery, the series exposes the dehumanizing machinery of law enforcement, legal defense, incarceration, and media judgment. Rather than presenting easy answers to complex questions, the series allows viewers to consider broader themes that remain topical today.

7

‘From Earth to the Moon’ (1998)

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From Earth to the Moon is a docuseries that chronicles the history of NASA’s Apollo program, from its inception in the early 1960s to the final moon mission in 1972. Produced by Tom Hanks following the success of Apollo 13, the 12-part series blends dramatized storytelling with historical accuracy, offering a comprehensive and humanized portrayal of the scientists, engineers, astronauts, and families behind the space race.

From Earth to the Moon is an essential HBO series because it captures one of humanity’s greatest achievements, the Apollo space program, with both technical precision and emotional depth. The series taps into HBO’s reputation for prestige television by blending documentary-like realism with compelling drama. From Earth to the Moon succeeds in showcasing the fact that there were many unsung heroes, including engineers, scientists, and families, who were behind the most iconic moments in spaceflight history.

6

‘The Corner’ (2000)

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The Corner is set in a West Baltimore neighborhood ravaged by poverty and drug addiction, and introduces Gary McCullough (T. K. Carter) and his estranged wife Fran Boyd (Khandi Alexander). The two live with a substance use disorder, and their son DeAndre (Sean Nelson) also gets drawn into the drug trade. The Corner examines the all-too-real human cost of systemic neglect, addiction, and urban decay.

The Corner is one of the most essential HBO series of all time because it laid the groundwork for a new kind of socially conscious television. The series never sensationalizes the story it presents. Instead, it invites viewers to consider how systemic neglect by many institutions has consequences for ordinary people. Its semi-documentary style, use of real-life interviews, and emotionally grounded performances gave voice to people often ignored or vilified in mainstream media.

5

‘Generation Kill’ (2008)

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Generation Kill is based on Evan Wright‘s (Lee Tergesen) experience being embedded with the U.S. Marine Corps’ 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during the early weeks of the Iraq War in 2003 as a journalist. The series offers a gritty and unfiltered look at modern warfare and how chaotic the Iraq War was from the early days. Generation Kill follows young Marines, completely unprepared for war, as they navigate the chaos and confusion of one of the most brutal wars in recent memory.

Generation Kill is another example of an HBO series that chronicles real events with authenticity without overdramatizing them. The series features realism and sociopolitical insight into the Iraq War, focusing not on grand battles or patriotic tropes, but on the confusion, bureaucracy, and absurdity that soldiers actually experience on the ground. By following real-life Marine Recon troops through the first chaotic weeks of the 2003 invasion, Generation Kill humanizes its characters without ever glorifying the war.

4

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

Chernobyl is a series that chronicles the Chernobyl power plant explosion in 1986. The series follows the tragedy from the moment the plant explodes, and follows the consequences that ordinary people had to face in its aftermath. Chernobyl is told primarily from the perspective of nuclear physicist Valery Legasov (Jared Harris), who has to convince others of the fact that systemic failures ultimately led to the tragedy.

Chernobyl is such an essential HBO miniseries because it’s such a jarring analysis of a real historical event and the consequences that real people had to face. It takes a historical tragedy and turns it into a searing, universal drama about truth, power, and the human cost of lies. More than just a disaster story, Chernobyl becomes a chilling meditation on institutional denial, the suppression of scientific truth, and the courage required to confront corruption.

3

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

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Mare of Easttown is a crime drama that introduces Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet), a weary, small-town Pennsylvania detective who investigates a local murder while grappling with her own personal trauma. The series explores themes of grief, guilt, addiction, and resilience, all set against the backdrop of a working-class town where everyone knows each other and each other’s business. Mare of Easttown follows Mare as she also navigates her family’s particularly difficult circumstances.

Mare of Easttown is one of the most essential HBO miniseries of all time because it masterfully fuses crime drama with intimate, character-driven storytelling, elevating a murder mystery into a profound exploration of grief, trauma, and community. The series presents a deeply authentic portrayal of a working-class town and a flawed, resilient woman struggling to hold herself and her world together. The fact that Mare of Easttown presents such an intimate portrait of grief and loss makes it stand out.

2

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

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Band of Brothers is a war drama that chronicles the true story of Easy Company, a unit of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division that saw action during World War II. The series follows the experiences of these Marines from their grueling training at Camp Toccoa to some of the most brutal battles of the European theater in World War II, including D-Day, Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. Band of Brothers is mainly told from the perspective of Major Richard “Dick” Winters (Damian Lewis).

Band of Brothers is such an essential HBO miniseries because it set the standard for similar war dramas. The series doesn’t simply recount these events, but it highlights the courage displayed by those who lived through them. Each episode begins with interviews of surviving members of Easy Company, grounding the show in emotional and historical authenticity. Band of Brothers is instrumental in preserving the legacy of WWII veterans, making their stories more accessible to younger generations.

1

‘Angels in America’ (2003)

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Angels in America is a two-part miniseries based on Tony Kushner‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. The series is set in New York in the 1980s during the height of the AIDS crisis and the Reagan era. It weaves together the lives of several interconnected characters, including Prior Walter (Justin Kirk), a gay man diagnosed with AIDS who receives visions from an angel. The series also follows real-life historical figures, including Roy Cohn (Al Pacino).

Angels in America stands out because it tackles the AIDS epidemic at a time when many still avoided the subject on television, showing its human cost in raw, intimate detail. It’s the most essential HBO miniseries ever because it takes Kushner’s complex and theatrical project and adapts it without sacrificing any of the source material’s message. Angels in America asks urgent moral and spiritual questions about justice, progress, and what it means to be American in a time of crisis.