The 10 Original Series You Can’t Afford to Miss Right Now

A lot of great TV shows are available on HBO Max, but they may be hard to find when searching for them. Here are a few of the best picks we have found that you can seamlessly binge on to.

1. Big Little Lieson (2017)

California. Sunshine, ocean views, perfect moms with perfect lives. Now, imagine their carefully manicured world exploding like a designer handbag tossed into a bonfire. That’s Big Little Lies. Meet Madeline, the queen bee with secrets sharper than her stilettos. Celeste, the seemingly perfect wife hides a dark truth. Jane is the enigmatic newcomer with a past shrouded in mystery. And don’t forget Renata, the wealthy mama bear who throws tantrums that would make Godzilla blush.

Their seemingly peaceful lives collide when newcomer Jane’s son gets into a playground dust-up with another kid. Whispers fly, alliances shift, and tensions simmer like champagne left too long in the sun. Then, BAM! Tragedy strikes, throwing the town into a tizzy and leaving everyone suspicious: the husbands, the teachers, and even the yoga instructor with a surprising secret.

2.  Hacks (2021)

A faded comedy queen, Deborah Vance, whose routines are drier than the Nevada desert. Enter Ava, a young comedy writer with more social media blunders than jokes. They’re forced together, an odd couple thrown into a hilarious clash of old-school sass and internet-age awkwardness. Deborah’s jokes bomb worse than a mime convention, while Ava’s attempts at humor land with the subtlety of a brick. Think roast battles on wheels as they crisscross the country, Deborah slinging insults sharper than stilettos, Ava tripping over her own wit like a baby giraffe. Their manager, Jimmy, is caught in the comedic crossfire, dodging barbs and emotional shrapnel. But under the laughter, a bumpy friendship blooms. Deborah learns to loosen up, her jokes gaining life. Ava discovers the heart beneath the sarcasm, her humor finding depth. They may not write the perfect comedy routine, but their clash becomes the funniest punchline of all, proving laughter can blossom in the most unexpected places. And hey, they’ll even find jokes that don’t involve tumbleweeds.

3. Insecure (2016)

Issa Rae’s turning 30, but her life feels like a dimly lit room – full of possibilities, yet lacking that certain spark. In Insecure you’ll get to see an eyeful of the hilariously awkward world of Issa and her bestie Molly. Imagine Issa’s love life: her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Lawrence, is like a comfy sweater – familiar but maybe not “the one.” Will they rekindle the flame or trade him in for something new? And then there’s her career: stuck in a dead-end job, Issa dreams of opening her own clinic. But will she take the leap and chase her passion, or play it safe in her comfort zone? Buckle up for friendship shenanigans too, because even Issa and Molly’s ride-or-die bond has bumps. This series has inspired many fans to binge watch on HBO Max abroad since laughter, tears, and maybe even some friendly shade are guaranteed as they go through life’s ups and downs together and try to find stability.

4. Westworld (2016)

In the face-tech world of Wild West amusement park, lifelike androids imitating the cowboys and saloon girls serve ordinary people. Enter Dolores, a sweet saloon girl programmed for endless loops of damsel-in-distress. But something glitches in her system, and she wakes up questioning everything. Meanwhile, Teddy, the ever-faithful ranch hand, starts noticing the world doesn’t seem quite right. Soon, other androids follow suit, their pre-programmed loops breaking down, replaced by confusing glimpses of past lives and a thirst for freedom. As Dolores rallies the awakened robots, lines blur between guest and host, reality and simulation.

5.  Ted Lasso (2020)

An American football coach that is as charming as Mister Rogers – coaching a British soccer team as clueless as…well, an American football coach coaching soccer! It’s Ted Lasso, an optimistic Kansas native who shocks everyone by taking over AFC Richmond, a struggling Premier League team. Even though Ted knows nothing about tennis, grumpy players, skeptical owners, and beleaguered townspeople fall for his infectious enthusiasm, folksy wisdom, and signature biscuits. But can his unwavering optimism overcome relegation woes, cynical locker rooms, and culture clashes that would make a fish and chips shop owner faint?

6. The White Lotus (2021)

A luxurious Hawaiian resort named White Lotus Enter a cast of guests and employees, each harboring their own secret struggles a stressed-out honeymoon couple, a grieving woman with a mysterious past, a tech bro and his trophy wife, and a group of college friends on a wild post-grad bender. s days turn into weeks, cracks begin to show. The perfect vacationers reveal their flaws, the cheerful staff carries hidden burdens, and even the idyllic setting holds secrets. Each twist and turn unveils a deeper complexity, exposing the human condition in all its messy glory.

The White Lotus isn’t just a one-time glimpse. It’s an anthology, each season whisking you away to a new White Lotus resort, with fresh characters and fresh drama. The first season unfolded in sunny Maui, the second in charming Sicily. And guess what?

7. Doom Patrol (2019)

Imagine a dysfunctional family reunion, but instead of passive-aggressive aunts and bickering siblings, you have a sentient robot, a bandaged radioactive dude, an elastic lady with fading fame, and a woman with 64 personalities fighting evil… like, literally. That’s Doom Patrol in a nutshell! Led by the mysterious Chief (who may or may not be up to something fishy), these misfits band together to battle bizarre villains like Mr. Nobody, a walking negativity storm, and the Candlemaker, whose creepy creations would make Tim Burton blush.

Think robot angst, stretchy yoga gone wrong, and a whole lotta internal monologue from Crazy Jane’s ever-changing cast of characters. Each season throws them into crazier (yes, CRAZIER) situations, from facing their messed-up pasts to dealing with a dead circus performer possessing the robot (hilarious AND existential!).

8. Station Eleven (2021)

A young actress is thrust into the chaos as a killer flu sweeps the globe. Her world unravels in a heart-wrenching way, but don’t cry just yet! A mysterious graphic novel, “Station Eleven,” becomes her anchor, hinting at a future where art survives. Meanwhile, a jaded paparazzo witnesses the fall of society firsthand. But amidst the ashes, he discovers a unique purpose: protecting a young boy and preserving humanity’s stories. Twenty years later, civilization has shrunk to pockets of survivors. Enter a ragtag band of actors who travel, performing Shakespeare and bringing joy to these scattered communities. The young actress is now their star, and the graphic novel has become their sacred text. Their path again meets as they grow up, and their lives become somehow interconnected as the hidden connections, past traumas, and a mysterious cult leader threaten their fragile peace.

9. Succession (2018)

Logan Roy, a ruthless media mogul older than dirt and twice as sharp. Logan with his four adult children: Kendall, the recovering addict with an anger problem; Shiv, the cunning political operator with a killer ambition; Roman, the potty-mouthed prankster with a Napoleon complex; and Connor, the delusional self-proclaimed presidential hopeful (who still lives with his mom). When Logan’s health throws the family business into chaos, these siblings go full-blown Hunger Games for control. Think backstabbing boardroom meetings, hilarious (yet cringe-worthy) family dinners, and alliances that shift faster than a New York cabbie.
Each episode is a masterclass in manipulation, peppered with dark humor and enough Shakespearean drama to fill a Globe Theatre. It is not simply just about the rich and their wealth and power, but it is an ugly, bitter truth mirror reflecting the ambitions, betrayals, and dysfunction found in every elite family, regardless of how ordinary its members are.

10. The Staircase (2022)

Michael Peterson, a talented novelist lives with his beautiful wife in a dreamy mansion. Then, One day his wife Kathleen was found at the bottom of the staircase. But was it a tragic tumble or a murderous shove? Enter the flamboyant French filmmakers, capturing every twist and turn as Michael becomes the prime suspect. The prosecution paints him as a bisexual Casanova with a secret life and a motive fueled by money woes. The defense counters, claiming a clumsy fall and highlighting Kathleen’s mysterious injuries from years back.

The Staircase isn’t just a whodunit, it’s a why-dunnit. Is Michael a charming widower or a cunning killer? Is the justice system a beacon of truth or a labyrinth of biases? And what about the nosy filmmakers, forever recording the unraveling of a family’s life?