HBO to end ‘Succession’ after fourth season, HBO Max orders ‘It’ prequel

Succession

HBO is bringing hit drama Succession to an end after its upcoming fourth season, while sibling streamer HBO Max has confirmed a series prequel for movie franchise, IT.

Succession creator Jesse Armstrong told the New Yorker that the decision to wrap his hit show after the coming season – due to debut in late March – had been made after a discussion with writers in 2021.

“There’s a promise in the title of Succession. I’ve never thought this could go on forever. The end has always been kind of present in my mind. From season two, I’ve been trying to think: is it the next one, or the one after that, or is it the one after that?,” he said.

The show’s future had been under scrutiny for some time following interviews with Armstrong and star Brian Cox, who alluded to an “endgame” for the series in 2021.

The drama debuted in 2018 and has become a global hit for HBO, with the story tracking the political and commercial machinations around the Roy family’s media conglomerate, Waystar Royco.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Entertainment produces with Warner Bros. TV Distribution selling. Cox stars alongside Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin and Alan Ruck.

IT prequel

WBD’s streamer HBO Max, meanwhile, has unveiled a prequel to hit movie franchise IT as the trend of small screen spin-offs from movies continues.

Welcome To Derry (working title) is being produced by Warner Bros. Television and has been developed by the movie’s director Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs.

The show will act as a prequel to the New Line-produced film franchise, which itself is based on Stephen King’s novels.

Sarah Aubrey, head of original content at HBO Max, said: “We are thrilled to continue this iconic franchise with the brilliant Andy and Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs, and Brad Caleb Kane. This prequel will expand the IT storytelling canvas and bring fans deeper into the terrifying, mesmerising town of Derry.”