HBO has a reputation for producing well-loved prestige television, and there’s no shortage of titles to binge on its streaming service. The completed series are the ones HBO Max subscribers are likely to reach for first, as there’s no threat of having their viewing experience abruptly ended by cancellations. It can also be satisfying to get all the answers right away, especially with strong mystery elements. Still, there’s something special about participating in the week-to-week drops and discussions that follow.
And HBO is especially great at creating series that spark conversations throughout their runs. Anyone who was around when The Sopranos or Game of Thrones were airing can attest to that. Several of HBO’s all-timers, like those two shows, are over. But there are still ongoing series to get wrapped up in, including these eight, which are perfect for binge-watching. They’ll give viewers something to look forward to when they’re caught up, too, as all of them will be back for new outings eventually.
Why You Should Trust Me: I’ve been writing about television for the last decade, and I previously served as a TV editor at ScreenRant. I now cover TV shows as an editor at MovieWeb, and I’m always eager to recommend my favorites. HBO is a network I keep coming back to, as its quality rarely disappoints.
‘Task’
Number of Seasons So Far: 1
Why It’s a Great Binge: Mark Ruffalo’s crime drama is currently just one season long, so it’s easy enough to get through for anyone looking to catch up on an ongoing series quickly. Adding to the incentive is that Task Season 1 wraps up its central case — which sees Ruffalo’s FBI agent investigating a string of violent armed robberies — pretty thoroughly. Season 2 will shift its focus to a new one, meaning viewers won’t be left on a cliffhanger. It’s an ideal binge for that reason, as its dual narratives and cat-and-mouse game make it gripping enough to stick with. However, it still gives audiences the answers they’re seeking by the end of the first seven episodes.
Watch This If: You love grounded, gritty crime dramas that dig deeply into their characters. Task explores the backgrounds of both Ruffalo’s lead and the man behind the criminal activity he’s investigating, making both layered individuals.
Skip This If: You’re looking for a crime show that’s a bit more fast-moving. Task is very intentionally paced, and it spends a fair bit of time setting up its characters and story.
‘The Pitt’
Number of Seasons So Far: 2
Why It’s a Great Binge: Both seasons of The Pitt unravel over the course of a single emergency room shift at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, and that structure alone lends itself to a fast viewing experience. It keeps the pressure high throughout, fully immersing audiences in the show’s ER setting. That’s the point, as the Noah Wyle-led drama seeks to depict the experiences of ER doctors realistically. It does that well, presenting its characters with systemic problems that speak to real-world issues plaguing the healthcare profession. The character writing and dialogue also make this a compelling watch, and they keep it going just as much as the format.
Watch This If: You’re looking for a medical drama that leans into realism rather than romanticizing the profession or capitalizing on melodrama. This series is grounded, and it hits harder because of it.
Skip This If: You’re on the hunt for a comfort binge, or something that offers at least a little escapism. The Pitt is a stressful experience, and it will get your blood pumping as much as the characters’.
‘Industry’
Number of Seasons So Far: 4
Why It’s a Great Binge: At four seasons, Industry might seem like a questionable choice for a binge — but rest assured that once it digs its claws in you, it doesn’t easily let go. With its focus on London’s financial sector, the show is a suspenseful one. That’s established from the beginning, when it follows recent graduates competing for full-time roles at a prestigious investment bank. The premise spins out from there, showing the ruthless and high-stakes nature of the industry. The pressure and drama is non-stop, and there are great twists and turns that will keep viewers hooked.
Watch This If: You enjoy following flawed and unlikable characters, and you love on-screen power struggles and betrayals.
Skip This If: A drama centered on business and finance sounds droll to you, or you’re someone who needs a lead character you can root for.
‘True Detective’
Number of Seasons So Far: 4
Why It’s a Great Binge: Another four-season HBO show for those who don’t mind a lengthier binge is True Detective. Every outing of HBO’s anthology series isn’t created equal, but each one tells a separate story — so viewers can watch just one or all of them at once. Each season follows a pair of detectives as they investigate a gruesome murder, and the desire to see the cases solved will keep viewers invested. Of course, they tend to uncover deeper conspiracies at play, which only makes True Detective more gripping. The performances are top-tier, and the backdrops fully immerse you in each story. There’s a reason the show has such a solid reputation.
Watch This If: You like your crime dramas dark and with a dynamic duo at the center. All four seasons of True Detective are grim affairs, but that allows them to reach new levels of depth and fuel intense drama.
Skip This If: You need a bit more levity and escapism in your binge-watching, even when it comes to crime shows.
‘The White Lotus’
Number of Seasons So Far: 3
Why It’s a Great Binge: The White Lotus is one of HBO’s most fun ongoing shows, and its unique blend of mystery, comedy, and social commentary makes it impossible to put down. Each season of the show tells a new story, unfolding at a new White Lotus resort — and introducing an entirely new star-studded cast of characters. There are a few threads that carry over, and the series continuously unpacks topics like wealth and privilege. Every season also opens with a character death we’re told very little about, so if the incredible writing and acting doesn’t carry you along, the need for answers will.
Watch This If: You don’t mind a thriller that embraces discomfort and laugh-out-loud humor, and you appreciate deeply unlikable characters.
Skip This If: You want genuinely heroic characters to roof for, more subtle commentary, or a serious and gritty mystery.
‘The Last of Us’
Number of Seasons So Far: 2
Why It Makes a Great Binge: Based on the video games by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us thrusts viewers into a post-apocalyptic world where a fungal infection has turned much of humanity into zombie-esque monsters. The setting itself brings the thrills, with the various types of Infected keeping audiences on edge throughout. Yet it’s the emotional journey of a man hardened by grief escorting a girl who’s immune to the virus across the country that really sells the series. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are incredible as Joel and Ellie, and their convincing portrayal of the characters only makes The Last of Us‘s biggest twists hit harder.
Watch This If: Hard-hitting survival stories with complex characters are your jam; The Last of Us has the latter to spare. Fans of the games will also appreciate the expansion of them, though they’ll have to overlook changes.
Skip This If: Perfect fidelity to the source material is important to you, or if you’re someone who needs happy endings to enjoy a story. The Last of Us has some truly devastating turns.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’
Number of Seasons So Far: 1
What Makes It a Great Binge: Of the two existing Game of Thrones spin-offs, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the easier one to binge. For one, it’s only a single season into its run. That season is also comprised of six episodes, most of which are well under Game of Thrones‘s and House of the Dragon‘s usual hour-long affairs. It follows Ser Duncan the Tall as he attempts to join a tourney at Ashford Meadow, hoping to earn money and glory after his mentor dies. It’s a lower-stakes premise than the other shows in the franchise, but the show is charming and refreshing in its differences. It has great humor and a few well-placed twists, making it an ideal binge even without the Earth-shattering stakes.
Watch This If: You want to return to Westeros, but you’re looking for a shorter commitment or something different. House of the Dragon offers neither, but A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms fits the bill.
Skip This If: You’re hoping for the high-budget, action-packed experience of Game of Thrones‘s later chapters. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a more grounded and personal story, and it’s produced as such.
‘House of the Dragon’
Number of Seasons So Far: 3
What Makes It a Great Binge: If you’re a Game of Thrones fan or fantasy lover who has somehow managed to avoid House of the Dragon for this long, it’s the ideal time to binge the first three seasons. House of the Dragon Season 4 will mark the spin-off’s last hurrah, and after a massive Season 3, it’s certain to be the center of pop culture conversations when it debuts. It’s not as easy to fly through as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but the familial drama and political tensions keep it chugging along. There are a few lulls, but the major moments of payoff and action make this a rewarding show to follow.
Watch This If: The history of House Targaryen is deeply interesting to you, you’re looking for more Game of Thrones-esque fantasy, or you’re someone who loves succession struggles and dragons.
Skip This If: Game of Thrones never appealed to you, or you’re obsessed with the franchise — to the point where deviations from Fire & Blood will upset you. House of the Dragon is known to play fast and loose with the source material.
Leave a Reply