HBO Max is gearing up for its launch in early 2020, and as it collects content for its new library, it has gone across the pond to the UK as part of its efforts to create an enticing lineup of original series.
The platform, which is one of the streaming services launching next year, has picked up the US rights to a UK comedy called Starstruck. The show has been created by comedian Rose Matafeo and Avalon Television, and is six episodes long. Matafeo is a winner of the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, and both writes and stars in the series. She plays a young woman in London who is stuck working two boring jobs. Her life changes after she accidentally sleeps with a movie star, and the series explores what happens the morning after. UK viewers will see the series on BBC Three, the British channel responsible for commissioning Starstruck along with HBO Max.
Matafeo said: ‘The BBC have been so supportive of this project from the get-go and to be able to get this show in front of American audiences at the same time via HBO Max is truly exciting.
‘I’m thrilled we get to make it, otherwise it would’ve technically just been a creepy fan fiction script that I submitted to the national broadcaster. The team we’ve brought together for this series are absolute dreamboats, and I’m super excited to be working with them.’
HBO Max head of original content Sarah Aubrey commented: ‘The minute we were introduced to Rose and Starstruck, we knew we had something special. She is exactly the type of original, culture-forward creator we are excited to be working with at HBO Max and we are looking forward to a long partnership.’
Matafeo is known for winning the best comedy show award at the 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Festival after performing solo show Horndog. US viewers who watch Conan may also have seen her there, and she has been in several series in both the UK and New Zealand, where she is from originally.
Other shows to look forward to with HBO Max as part of their original content include a Gossip Girl reboot, The Flight Attendant – starring Kaley Cuoco from The Big Bang Theory – Love life, starring Anna Kendrick, plus an animated Gremlins series. HBO Max also outbid Netflix to obtain the entire series run of Friends, and will also feature library content from WarnerMedia brands such as HBO, TNT, TBS and Cartoon Network/Adult Swim.
