In the age of streaming services, there have been plenty that have popped up with some awesome new series, such as Hulu’s original shows or Netflix’s TV series, like The Witcher, and Bridgerton. But, one streaming service that also has a great selection with amazing original TV series, is Max, formerly known as HBO Max.
From shows about cooking to The Flight Attendant, Max has been coming out with all sorts of shows that people of all ages will enjoy, from dramas to comedies to reality shows. If you’re looking for your next show to binge, check out these great Max original shows.
The Flight Attendant
The Flight Attendant stars Kaley Cuoco as a reckless flight attendant who has an alcohol problem and ends up waking up next to her dead one night stand. Now, she has to retrace her steps to try and find the person responsible – wondering if somehow, she could be the killer.
First off, Kaley Cuoco is fantastic in this series. While I know she’s beloved for her comedic skills on The Big Bang Theory, she genuinely shines in The Flight Attendant and shows off her ability to act in dramatic ways as well. Secondly, the murder mystery of this show really captures you and draws you in like no other. It’s such a classic find-the-real-killer premise, and one that The Flight Attendant does well. Season 2 of the show came out in 2022, and there aren’t any more plans for another season, so be sure to check out both of them on the platform.
Stream The Flight Attendant on Max.
Peacemaker
He’s here to make peace…by breaking some heads. Peacemaker, a spinoff of the popular 2021 film, The Suicide Squad, follows the titular character after he recovers from his injuries from the movie. Now, he joins a black ops squad called A.R.G.U.S., a team with a mission to eliminate parasitic butterfly-like creatures and to stop them from taking over the bodies of humans.
Peacemaker is so silly, I can’t even put it into words, but in the best way. John Cena is great as a leading man, and him playing the titular character works wonders, to the point where you know there isn’t another actor out there that could play this character better. And now with Season 2 already ordered, it’s only a matter of time before we get to see him again, and all the incredible references once more.
The Staircase
Do you want a drama miniseries? The Staircase has you covered. Tragedy strikes a North Carolina family when the wife of Michael Peterson dies, but her death is surrounded by a veil of mystery, and as time goes on, more and more conspiracy theories begin to arise that make her passing all the more suspicious.
I loved this miniseries. There are so many out there but this was truly one of the best I have ever seen. The Staircase cast all act amazingly, and from the moment the first episode begins, you will be hooked and on the edge of your seat. The two leads, Toni Collette and Colin Firth, were both nominated for Primetime Emmys, so you know it’s good.
And Just Like That…
If you happen to be a fan of Sex and the City and/or Darren Star TV shows, then this is the show for you. And Just Like That… is the latest show from the hitmaking machine that brought you the series adaptation of Sex and the City. The Max original is a sequel series to the popular comedy, featuring the Sex and the City cast in the next chapter of their characters’ lives in New York City. This time, it follows them in their fifties, as they navigate their lives, friendships and relationship drama..
While I personally feel that the original series is still the best out of all the sequels and spinoffs this franchise has had, And Just Like That… is a good addition to that and brings back a lot of the familiar beats that fans tend to love. With a full season to stream, and a second one on the way, this is the time to head back to the world of Carrie Bradshaw and friends.
Stream And Just Like That… on Max.
Hacks
In this comedy series, Hacks tells the story of a legendary Las Vegas comedian, Deborah Vance, who has to team up with Ava, a Gen Z comedy writer who has been canceled over an insensitive tweet. The two are reluctant to work together, but must, so that Vance can freshen up her material and keep her job.
Let me just say that Jean Smart in Hacks is wonderful and her comedic timing is excellent. Plus, the chemistry that blossoms between her and Hanna Einbinder, who plays Ava, makes this show so enjoyable to watch. The generational difference between the two characters only adds to this comedy and makes it watchable for anyone. It’s seriously one of the best comedy shows in such a long time, and has been nominated for several awards, including the 2023 Golden Globes.
Love & Death
How far would you go to protect yourself and the ones you love? Love & Death is the latest miniseries from Max to tell a true story, this time following Candy Montgomery. Her decision to have an affair leads to the murder of a close friend – and a court case that Texas will never forget.
Elizabeth Olsen stars as Candy in the show and does an excellent job, but the whole entire Love & Death cast is jam-packed with talent that keeps your eyes glued to the screen for the entire length of the miniseries. With seven episodes to watch, Love & Death is the perfect show to watch in an afternoon to fuel your true crime obsession even more.
Harley Quinn
While the dark comedy animated series was originally on DC Universe, it later moved over to Max and has been an original with Season 3 onwards. Harley Quinn is an animated series (for adults) all about Harley Quinn, the legendary partner to the Joker, but this time, she’s doing her own thing and taking names with her own crew of evil, as well as her best friend, Poison Ivy.
The show itself is honestly one of the best pieces of DC television media, and features not only the excellent voice talents of Kaley Cuoco, but some awesome relationships and fun action sequences. You’ll also fall in love with Harley and Ivy. That’s all I’ll say without spoiling anything. Also, this show is not for kids, so keep them far away from there. But enjoy this yourself, because thankfully it survived all of the show cuts on Max and is getting a Season 4.
Doom Patrol
Did ya like Peacemaker? Do you want another dark DC television show? Then Doom Patrol is the one for you. Originally beginning on DC Network before moving over to Max (when it was HBO Max), Doom Patrol follows the heroes that make up the titular group, all of which obtained their powers in seemingly tragic ways, and the adventures that they travel on.
The show itself is so much fun, and in an age where there is almost an oversaturation of superhero shows to watch, Doom Control separates itself just enough with its dark comedy mixed in with some aspects of science fiction. The show is set to end after its fourth season, so now is the time to binge-watch all of them so far.
Selena + Chef
In this reality cooking show, Selena + Chef, pop star and actress Selena Gomez receives help from famous chefs across the world to try and learn how to cook from her own home.
Look, I absolutely love to cook, so I might be a little biased on this one, but I do think that this cooking show is adorable. The natural charisma that Selena Gomez has with not only the chefs she cooks with but the audience as well will help anyone learn. It’s also very informative, as the chefs give her step-by-step instructions for her cooking lessons, so you too, at home, could try to cook more as well. I made Roy Choi’s dish from his episode with Selena - it was actually amazing.
The Sex Lives Of College Girls
Shows and movies that take place in college are always fun, and The Sex Lives of College Girls is a great example of that. Following four friends who are going to college for the first time, we follow them as they learn to grow up and become sexually active young women, alongside the trials and tribulations that modern-day universities can bring.
I personally love this show. As someone who is decently fresh out of college (2020), I can relate to many of the instances or issues that these girls go through, from personal relationships to professor problems to so much more. Plus, The Sex Lives of College Girls cast is so talented, their vibes together are immaculate. You really believe that they’re legit close friends who went to college together. You have to give it a shot if you’re looking for a fun comedy. With two seasons to watch, and a third on the way, it’s such a fun time.
Stream The Sex Lives of College Girls on Max.
Our Flag Means Death
If you’re looking for a hilarious period show, then Our Flag Means Death is the one for you. This Max original follows the story of Stede Bonnet, a man that ended up turning to piracy during the Golden Age of Pirates. The show follows his adventures as a leader and his crew as they travel across the world, and run into legendary pirates such as Blackbeard.
There are so many reasons to watch this show. Not only does it give great LGBTQ+ representation, but it’s so freaking funny. Like “I will hold my side in pain” kind of funny, because the jokes always land so well. Something else I’ll also say is that Taika Waititi as Blackbeard is something I never knew I needed but now that I have it, I’m never letting it go. Love it. A second season is ordered and on the way, so might as well check out the first.
Stream Our Flag Means Death on Max.
Station Eleven
While this is a limited series and not an ongoing TV show, Station Eleven is a brilliant piece of media to watch. In this original, we are in a world that is recovering from a deadly flu that has killed much of the human population. The survivors twenty years later have to struggle to rebuild the world from the ground up, and somehow find hope in a world of darkness.
Let me just say that this show is so stunning. The cinematography alone from just the trailer drew me in, but what really keeps you coming back to this limited series are the relationships that are built with these characters. They are at the end of their rope and trying to make a new world, and it’s all about trying to stick together despite the worst happening, no matter what humanity has to throw at them.
Julia
This show feels a little underappreciated and I am here to give it the loving that it deserves. In Julia, starring Sarah Lancashire as the titular chef, Julia Child, we follow the legendary lady as she makes waves in not only the cooking world, but the television world as well, showing just how iconic and influential she was in both industries, and her rise to fame.
As I said before, I have a passion for cooking, which is what initially drove me to watch this show, because I love the story of Julia Child. But you don’t need to have a passion for cooking to like this series. There’s so much to love, from the setting to the background, to even just the main character, Julia. She has so much perseverance that she makes me want to be a better person and strive for more. It makes me excited about cooking again - and I love that.
The Big Brunch
Are you prepared for another cooking competition show? Because I am. The Big Brunch, hosted by Schitt’s Creek cast alumnus, Dan Levy, follows ten chefs as they compete for the ultimate prize – $300,000. With this money, they can achieve their ultimate grand cooking dreams, but first things first – they have to make an incredible brunch.
This is coming from a foodie, but there is no other competition show like The Big Brunch. I love Gordon Ramsay’s cooking shows like Hell’s Kitchen or even Baking It, but The Big Brunch is more than just a competition. It’s honestly a comedy, and it’s because of Dan Levy’s excellent hosting. It’s become one of my favorites and I hope it comes back for a second season.
Rap Sh!t
Created by Issa Rae, Rap Sh!t is another hilarious comedy that combines two things that we love the most – estranged friends coming back together and rap music. This is the story of Mia and Shawna, two friends from high school who try to achieve the ultimate goal – become a rap group and make millions.
Something I love about Rap Sh!t is that while it does focus a lot on comedy – which I do like since sometimes I just want to laugh – it also focuses on the drama aspects as well as showing just how important this one shot would be to make it big for not only themselves, but their family. Plus, the whole Rap Sh!t cast is great too, featuring some killer actors and rappers. I’m happy that this got a Season 2, and can’t wait to see what happens.
A World Of Calm
A World of Calm is an immersive journey that takes you through several different stories from our planet, and to the outer reaches of the Universe. I know that this premise sounds wacky as heck, but I’ll summarize it for you - if you ever dreamed about Keanu Reeves reading you a soothing bedtime story (like on the Calm app, which this show is based on), then you get that here.
Each A World of Calm episode tells a story that will have you more relaxed than ever before, with amazing music and footage that is to die for, while listening to some of your favorite actors narrate – including Kate Winslet, Oscar Isaac, Nicole Kidman and many others. I know it sounds a bit different, but you won’t regret checking this one out on a day where you just need to feel… calm.
Stream A World of Calm on Max.
With all these amazing shows, I’m going to need to check the 2023 TV schedule to see if any of them are premiering anytime soon. Regardless, at least now you have an idea of some of the awesome shows Max has to offer so far - and hopefully, we’ll get to add on even more in the future. If you don’t already have an Max subscription, now might be the time.
