HBO Max expands co-pros by joining Channel 4 drama ‘Boys’

Russell T Davies

HBO Max has joined as a co-production partner on Channel 4 and Russell T Davies’ drama Boys, building on the streamer’s expanding partnerships with broadcasters outside of the US.

The yet-to-launch WarnerMedia-backed streamer will be the exclusive US home to Boys (working title), which started principal photography in October.

The drama is from Studiocanal-owned Red Production Company, with Davies attached as writer and executive producer. All3Media International sells the show globally.

Peter Hoar (Umbrella Academy, The Last Kingdom) directs, Phil Collinson (Gentleman Jack, Good Omens) produces and executive producers include Davies and Red Production boss Nicola Shindler.

The five-parter is slated for a 2020 UK premiere and will chart the emotional journey of five friends during the 1980s, a decade in which everything changed, most notably with the rise of AIDS.

The cast includes Olly Alexander, Nathaniel Curtis, Shaun Dooley, Omari Douglas, Stephen Fry, Neil Patrick Harris, Keeley Hawes, Callum Scott Howells, Tracy Ann Oberman, and Lydia West.

‘’It is our delight to be collaborating with the talented Russell T Davies,” said Jeniffer Kim, SVP of international originals, HBO Max. “He has crafted a beautiful coming of age story, exploring the excitement of new friendships and self-discovery during a period when there were so many unknowns. Russell’s mastery is so evident throughout and with Nicola’s producing expertise and Ch4’s collaboration, we at HBO Max are thrilled to partner in sharing this moving story.”

Davies added: ‘’This was an astonishing decade, when a sudden new virus meant life became more stark, vivid and precious than ever before. I’ve carried these stories with me for years, and it’s an honour to find them a home with HBO Max.” Boys marks the 10th collaboration between Davies and Red following series such as Queer As Folk, Banana, Cucumber, Casanova, i, and Bob & Rose.It is also the second deal struck between HBO Max and All3, after the streamer took US rights to ITV drama White House Farm.

HBO, meanwhile, recently extended its output deal with Sky in the UK and HBO Max is planning to co-produce on dramas with the pay operator, as revealed by TBI, suggesting a roll-out of the service in the UK is some way off.