The network confirmed the cancellation in a statement to Deadline, expressing gratitude to the show's talented cast and creative team, including Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, and Armando Iannucci. Despite the show's positive reception and a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, HBO has opted not to greenlight a second season. However, they are keen on collaborating with the cast and crew on future projects.
"We're incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have worked with the exceptionally talented team behind 'The Franchise'," an HBO spokesperson told Deadline. "While we won't be moving forward with another season, we are eager to collaborate with all of them in the future."
The show, which concluded its first season in November 2024, boasted a star-studded cast, including Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, and Jessica Hynes, among others. Its cancellation comes at a pivotal moment for the superhero genre, which has experienced both soaring triumphs and crushing disappointments in recent years.
This volatile landscape provided fertile ground for "The Franchise," with creators Jon Brown and Armando Iannucci reflecting on the current state of the industry in an interview with ComicBook.
"It's an interesting phase for superhero movies, especially for Marvel," Iannucci observed. "It feels like they're starting to look back nostalgically instead of forging ahead." He compared this trend to other areas of popular culture, like music and sports, where there's a growing focus on celebrating past achievements.
Iannucci further commented on this nostalgia cycle, noting the prevalence of aging action stars and veteran bands headlining major festivals. "It's like we're constantly looking back to our recent past instead of looking forward," he remarked.
Jon Brown added, "We touch on this in the first season – the idea of a major studio grappling with an identity crisis and fearing for its future. These massive studios seem like they'll always be around, but what happens when they start to believe it could all be over?"
While "The Franchise" may not continue, fans can still stream all episodes on Max.
