HBO Max Greenlights New Dramas Following The Pit Success

HBO Max family drama How To Survive Without Me explores love, loss, and family life in Los Angeles

HBO Max Greenlights New Dramas Following The Pit Success

HBO Max orders American Blue and How To Survive Without Me, expanding original dramas using the Emmy-winning The Pit model with 15 episodes per season.

HBO Max is making waves in the TV world with its bold new strategy for original dramas. Riding high on the success of its Emmy-winning series

According to insiders, HBO Max has greenlit two new drama pilots. The first is American Blue, a gripping police drama from former Supernatural showrunner Jeremy Carver. The second is a family drama, tentatively titled How To Survive Without Me, produced by acclaimed TV creators Greg Berlanti, Bash Doran, and Robbie Rogers. Both projects come from Warner Bros. Television, where the creators hold long-term deals.

Sarah Aubrey, HBO Max’s Head of Originals, explained the strategy: “We’re producing 15 episodes per season and releasing them every year. There’s a real gap in the market for network-style shows that let viewers get fully immersed in a story world. The Pit proved that audiences love this format.”

HBO Max unveils American Blue, a gripping police drama set in Joliet, Illinois, following Brian

American Blue is set in Joliet, Illinois, following local hero Brian “Milk” Milkovich as he returns to support a struggling police department while confronting his own troubled past. The series promises a realistic look at modern policing, evoking the feel of classics like Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue.

Meanwhile, How To Survive Without Me focuses on the lives of a Los Angeles family, exploring love, loss, and the challenges of everyday life. “The characters feel real, and viewers will laugh, cry, and celebrate alongside them over 15 episodes,” Aubrey added.

Fans across Pakistan and South Asia have already taken to social media to share their excitement. Many praised the approach for offering a complete storytelling experience rather than a short, rushed season. “It’s refreshing to see shows that don’t rush the story,” wrote one Twitter user.

This strategy builds on what made The Pit a critical and commercial hit. The medical drama follows a grueling 15-hour shift at the Pittsburgh Trauma Center, with actual doctors on set ensuring realism. Critics praised the series for its gripping storytelling and authenticity, while viewers and the medical community alike applauded its accurate depiction of hospital life.

HBO Max plans to continue producing shows under this model, including legal and workplace dramas. Aubrey emphasized, “Each episode is complete in itself, but also contributes to the larger story. That balance keeps audiences coming back week after week.”

For now, viewers can look forward to American Blue and How To Survive Without Me, both promising authentic characters, engaging stories, and the kind of long-form drama that allows audiences to truly connect. With this strategy, HBO Max is clearly setting the stage for a new era of TV storytelling — one where shows have the time and space to make a real impact.