Archive · 7 Nov 2025
HBO Max Orders Two New Drama Pilots Following 'The Pitt' Model
HBO Max is getting new shows that are a bit like old TV shows.
Instead of having just a few episodes, these new shows will have more, like 15 or more each year.
This means you can get to know the characters and their stories better.
They are starting with two new shows: one about police officers in a town called Joliet, and another about a family dealing with grown-up problems in Los Angeles.
These shows will be made in a special way, keeping costs down so they can make more episodes and bring them back every year.
This is similar to a successful show called 'The Pitt' that already works this way.
The goal is to give people shows they can really dive into and look forward to.
HBO Max has ordered two drama pilots, 'American Blue' (cop drama) and 'How To Survive Without Me' (family drama).
These shows will follow a new model featuring 15+ episodes per season, modest budgets, and annual releases, inspired by the success of 'The Pitt'.
'American Blue' centers on a returning native son trying to help a police force in Joliet, Illinois.
'How To Survive Without Me' focuses on adult siblings and their father dealing with grief and life in Los Angeles.
This strategy aims to provide consistent, engaging content for viewers seeking longer-form storytelling.
- Who
- HBO Max, Jeremy Carver, Greg Berlanti, Bash Doran, Robbie Rogers, Warner Bros. Television
- What
- Ordered two drama pilots, 'American Blue' and 'How To Survive Without Me', to be developed under a new model that includes more episodes per season and a modest budget, similar to the successful medical drama 'The Pitt'.
- When
- The article was published recently, discussing current pilot orders and future strategy.
- Where
- HBO Max streaming service; 'American Blue' is set in Joliet, Illinois; 'How To Survive Without Me' is set in Los Angeles.
- Why
- To build HBO Max's original drama slate with shows that offer longer viewing engagement with annual releases, a strategy proven successful by 'The Pitt'.
- Platform
- HBO Max
- Model
- 15+ episodes per season, modest budget, yearly release
- Pilot 1
- American Blue (Cop Drama)
- Pilot 2
- How To Survive Without Me (Family Drama)
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Television
- Executive Producer (American Blue)
- Jeremy Carver
- Executive Producer (How To Survive Without Me)
- Greg Berlanti