Fact or Fiction: HBO Max Original Series

Fact or Fiction: HBO Max Original Series
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Television

By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024

When WarnerMedia, whose infamous Warner Bros. brand has been around since the golden age of television, announced they were going to start their own streaming service called HBO Max, they did not imagine that they would become one of the top streaming services in the world. And it is all thanks to their original shows.

From hit animated series like Harley Quinn to hilarious comedies like Love Life, HBO Max has expanded its streaming platforms to include a wide range of TV series besides just Game of Thrones, the most successful series in HBO history. They even were able to convince Emily St. John Mandel to adapt her novel, Station Eleven, into a groundbreaking miniseries of the same name that sends viewers on a wild ride that never seems to slow down.

So whether you are looking for a streaming service featuring award-winning comedy series like Big Bang Theory and Friends, or if you would rather watch documentaries about Michael Peterson, HBO Max’s original series will keep everyone happy. So kick back, grab a drink, and prove just how much you know about HBO Max’s amazing original programming.

HBO Max original series

HBO Max original series are hit series produced for the streaming service that features classic hit shows like Last Week Tonight, the rebirth of shows like the original Gossip Girl, DC Universe series about young superheroes, and hilarious sketch comedies like A Black Lady Sketch Show.

Since 2020, HBO Max has been able to add more original programming and content that it has turned into one of the most popular streaming services today. If HBO Max can continue acquiring popular channels like Adult Swim and Cartoon Network, then it can continue its rise to becoming the world's leading streaming service.

Fact or Fiction: HBO Max Original Series

We've all found ourselves deep into the couch cushions, remote in hand, navigating the ever-growing library of HBO Max. As we flip through hundreds of tiles, each with its own splashy graphics and tempting taglines, it hits us: HBO Max doesn't just bring classics into our homes, it's become a factory churning out original content that easily rivals traditional TV fare. But let's be real, amidst the binge-worthy gems, there are bound to be a few duds—and it can be a real rollercoaster separating fact from fiction.

A stack of vintage books with a glowing tablet on top, surrounded by swirling mist and glowing symbols

Now, if you're anything like us, you're probably asking, "Which of these original series should I commit to?" We're talking about series that go beyond the realms of reality, the ones that take us on journeys alongside characters we both adore and detest. From the gritty corners of crime dramas to the heartwarming chaos of quirky comedies, HBO Max has served us stories that spark debates: Are they pulling these plot twists from the pages of history, or are they cooking them up in some secret TV writer's lab?

So, before you invest in yet another show that keeps you up past your bedtime, why not play a little game of "Fact or Fiction?" with us here at BrainFall? We're diving headfirst into the world of HBO Max original series, untangling the threads of truth from the beautiful lies they weave. Will your favorite show stand tall in the court of truth, or will it crumble under the gavel of fiction? Let's find out together—it'll be our little bit of fun in the vast streaming universe.

Delectable Dramas and Comedies

Fact or Fiction: HBO Max Original Series

Our appetites for brilliant television are always insatiable, and thankfully, HBO Max continues to serve up a feast of original drama and comedy that satisfies our screen cravings. Be it mouth-watering cuisine or binge-worthy humor, these shows are the perfect recipe for our entertainment.

Cooking Up a Storm with 'Julia'

With 'Julia', we're whisked away into the delightful world of Julia Child, the iconic French chef who changed the way we look at butter and brought French cuisine to the American tables. Portrayed by Sarah Lancashire, this show captures the essence of Julia's journey from a cooking show to a household name. It's no store-bought sitcom; it's a lovingly crafted gourmet drama that has us all wanting to master the art of French cooking.

Laughing Through 'Hacks' and 'The Sex Lives of College Girls'

If you're craving a side of comedic brilliance with your drama, look no further than Hacks and The Sex Lives of College Girls. We’re doubling over with laughter at the cutting wit of 'Hacks,' where we see the enchanting dynamic between a veteran comedienne and her young, entitled writer. On the flip side, produced by Mindy Kaling, 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' takes us through the hilariously true-to-life experiences of four roommates navigating college life. These shows give us our fix of HBO Max-original comedy, and we are here for it!

Epic Sagas and Societal Narratives

Hey there! Before we dive into the drama, let's set the stage: HBO Max isn't shy when it comes to serving up series that explore the intricate weavings of society through sprawling epics and gritty tales. Get your popcorn ready, because we're about to embark on fantastical quests and power struggles that are as diverse as they are magnetic.

Fantastical Journeys from 'Game of Thrones' to 'Station Eleven'

What happens when you mix dragons, politics, and a dash of ice zombies? You get the fantasy colossus known as Game of Thrones. This series took us from the frosted tips of Winterfell to the sun-soaked shores of Dorne, weaving a rich tapestry of relationships and legacy that had us all declaring "Valar Morghulis" at parties.

On the other end of the fantasy spectrum is Station Eleven, a show that chases a group of survivors through a pandemic ravaged world. No dragons here, unless you count the fiery spirit of a troupe literally bringing Shakespeare back to life amid the fallout of a modern-day disaster. It's COVID-19 meets dramas, with a storytelling voice that's as haunting as it is uplifting.

Tales of Conflict and Power in 'Oz' and 'Empire'

Switching gears to the stone cold floors of the Oz correctional facility, where crime drama and racism provide a Shakespearean backdrop for the brutal power plays within America’s penal system. This show is not for the faint of heart, but it's a gripping look at the underbelly of society that will have you questioning the very notion of justice in America.

Strap in as we cruise to the glitzy streets of New York with Empire, where wealth, power, and a killer soundtrack mix like a fine cocktail. The Lyon family's saga has more twists and turns than a roller coaster at Coney Island, dishing out a feast of drama, music, and oh-so-delicious backstabbing. If the life-lessons from Cookie Lyon could be bottled, we'd be the first in line to buy.

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Question 1/10

Julia (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • The HBO Max television series Julia begins by showing Child's origin story starting off in Norway, but she never actually lived there.
  • When HBO Max started filming "Julia" in March 2020, three days into the COVID-19 outbreak, they were the first television series to begin filming during the pandemic.
  • Before casting Sarah Lancashire to portray Julia Child, HBO Max was planning on casting Joan Cusack, but things fell apart at the last minute and she backed out of the project.
  • Alice Naman, played by Brittany Bradford, is one of the only characters in the series that was a real person in Julia Child's life.
Question 2/10

Tokyo Vice (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • Tokyo Vice was adapted from a memoir, of the same name, written by crime reporter Jake Adelstein, who lived in Tokyo throughout the '90s and '00s.
  • The crime drama series is produced by Hollywood legend Michael Mann, who is best known for creating films like Blow, Goodfellas, and The Departed.
  • Tokyo Vice was originally created for CBS several years earlier but failed to get greenlight, and it ended up being thrown in a pile of other failed television series.
  • Although the show is supposed to be set in Tokyo, none of the filming takes place outside of the United States.
Question 3/10

Doom Patrol (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • The character Robotman, portrayed by Brendan Fraser, was a former WWE wrestler that got brain cancer and volunteered for an experimental new surgery that went terribly wrong.
  • The Dead Boy Detectives is the name of the agency that the Doom Patrol covertly works for.
  • Even though Doom Patrol is a DC Universe series, it was never actually a comic book, only a conceptual idea by DC Comics that never took off.
  • Although Brendan Fraser provides the voice for Cliff Steele, also known as Robotman, the person in costume is actually Riley Shanahan.
Question 4/10

The Sex Lives of College Girls (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • The Sex Lives of College Girls features four women heading into their final year of college at Princeton University.
  • Pauline Chalamet, one of the stars in the series, has been rumored to be related to Timothee Chalamet, but the two are not related at all.
  • Due to its extreme vulgarity and nudity, HBO Max ended up canceling the series before it was able to begin production on its third season.
  • The hit HBO Max comedy series was created by Mindy Kaling, who is best known for her work as an actress and co-creator of The Office and The Mindy Project.
Question 5/10

Station Eleven (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • Taking place mostly in Chicago is one of the few similarities that Station Eleven maintained when adapting the eponymous 2014 novel.
  • During the very first scene of the miniseries, they reveal a playbill for the King Lear production starring Arthur Leander.
  • George R.R. Martin is one of the many famous writers that has been openly against HBO Max turning the novel into a miniseries because he thought the story was too linear for science fiction.
  • Station Eleven was an original idea created during the COVID-19 pandemic as a peak into our possible future.
Question 6/10

Love Life (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • Love Life was available on the first day HBO Max launched, making it the first full-length scripted original series on HBO Max.
  • Prior to starring in Love Life, Anna Kendrick was adamant about not doing nudity but changed her mind after falling in love with the script.
  • After the shocking cancellation of Love Life last year, fans of the show teamed up and wound up convincing HBO of their mistake and the show was renewed for two more seasons.
  • Love Life was originally supposed to be similar to Gossip Girl, but after HBO Max saw the success they were having with Search Party and The Flight Attendant, they changed everything midway through the first season.
Question 7/10

Ten-Year-Old Tom (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • Everything Tom gets himself into ends up causing him pain, like the band teachers wanting to date his mother, being sued for gross negligence after opening a lemonade stand, and discovering insurance fraud simply by visiting the school nurse.
  • Ten-Year-Old Tom's main character is also the creator, Steve Dildarian, who uses his love for Broadway musicals like Moulin Rouge and The Producers as his inspiration.
  • The hit animated series enjoys casting guest stars like Alec Baldwin, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Chris Pratt to voice different students or teachers in the school.
  • Ten-Year-Old Tom was written and created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the two brains behind the international hit animated series, Rick and Morty.
Question 8/10

The Flight Attendant (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • When HBO Max announced Kaley Cuoco would star in a new dark comedy television series called The Flight Attendant, they revealed that they would need two seasons to tell the entire story.
  • While Cassie Bowden battles her own quarter-life crisis, the hit dark comedy series The Flight Attendant also guest stars Colin Firth as a business owner with a secret power.
  • Kaley Cuoco not only stars in The Flight Attendant, but she is also an executive producer, marking the first time in her acting career she has produced an original television series.
  • Rosie Perez was one of the big-name celebrities that helped get The Flight Attendant turned into a television series.
Question 9/10

House of the Dragon (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • House of the Dragon was supposed to be the first series from the Game of Thrones universe, but HBO could not find anyone that George R.R. Martin would approve of to create it.
  • While Game of Thrones might have been widely successful, House of the Dragon fell flat and was shockingly canceled shortly after the first season ended.
  • Although it was never shown, House of the Dragon creators still filmed the wedding between King Viserys and Alicent Hightower but simply had to cut it due to time constraints.
  • Throughout the first season of House of the Dragon, we are introduced to 29 different dragons who live all over this fictional world.  
Question 10/10

Peacemaker (Choose the answer that is true.)

  • Although Peacemaker is an origin story about the DC Comics character with the same name, the show focuses on a mysterious black ops squad he joins called The Suicide Squad.
  • HBO Max had so much trouble trying to sign John Cena for the series, and the show was days away from debuting on Netflix.
  • Even after creating Peacemaker, James Gunn only directed the first couple of episodes before handing off the reigns to the series star, John Cena.
  • Peacemaker is the only television series from the DC Comics Universe that has not been canceled.
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