Season 1 – The Franchise

Play trailer

1:38

Oct 2024

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

64 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

"The Franchise" follows the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. The comedy series shines a light on the secret chaos inside the world of superhero moviemaking, asking how exactly the cinematic sausage gets made. Every mistake has an origin story.

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Critics Consensus

Teeming with superb actors having a ball playing hapless hacks, The Franchise pulls some of its punches against Hollywood malaise but overall makes for a tart treat.

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Amy Amatangelo

Tellyvisions

Jun 26

In the end, despite all the shenanigans, there is no there there. Moments of hilarity don’t outweigh the fact that, in the end, the series is repetitive and boring.

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Jesse Hassenger

TheWrap

11/26/2024

Broadened into an ensemble, “The Franchise,” like “Tecto” itself, sometimes seems too big to either fail or fully succeed, stuck in perpetual-motion hell.

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Daniel Fienberg

The Hollywood Reporter

11/26/2024

The series rapidly becomes a loose assemblage of on-the-nose snark, in part because none of the characters or their interpersonal relationships are defined clearly.

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William Schwartz

Book & Film Globe

Jun 10

In execution this show is more a horror story than a satire, just an extremely blunt depiction of a toxic work environment.

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Tara Ariano

Cracked

12/19/2024

A-

Just because it’s easy to shit on superhero movies doesn’t mean we shouldn’t.

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KT Mahe

For Your Reference Podcast

11/27/2024

4/5

The Franchise plays it straight in a zany world that is spiralling out of control. The characters have unique voices that play well to the chaos of filmmaking.

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Mila C.

@milaisabelcin Oct 30

Really loved the season and looking behind the scenes of what it takes to make a multimillion dollar superhero movie and the fact that season one ended in such a major cliffhanger. It’s devastating finding out I won’t get a second season and see what gets to happen to the Crew in the movie. What a major disappointment. Please bring back season two.

K C

@RT46922461 Jun 8

Very funny and clever! It's Office Space on a Marvel Hollywood set. Through that lens it should be nearly universally relatable. Whether you love or hate Superhero blockbusters, the satire is spot on!

Tom F

@RT55173143 03/30/2025

The idea is a natural, the execution here is barely okay. I just watched the first episode of The Studio, they are doing a much better job skewering the industry and keeping it fun.

Pascal B

@Shakrah 03/26/2025

Slapstick should be incisive. Not waddling like extras in fish suits. Satire should be funny. This is not. Or entertaining. Nope. Or at least clever. This is just a literally talentless Extras. Actors, extras, writers,... just seem to pander to someone sitting just outside of the picture, desperate for his/her approval. Was Martin S on set?

Eric S

@RT27117716 01/28/2025

Richard Grant is amazing in this series! He is hilarious portraying a thespian theater actor with a role in a big summer blockbuster movie. Bill Magnussen was also great (sheep hormones!?). That being said, Himesh Patel was pretty boring and lame as the lead actor and held back the series. He was not funny, enlightening, engaging, and just there going through the motions. I would love to see this series continue and replacing Patel to bring in a talented and comedic actor.

i am b

@RT16356106 01/13/2025

A very funny, satirical and entertaining masterpiece, that should have deserved a second season. I really enjoyed this one

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Jon Brown

Creator

Himesh Patel

Daniel

Aya Cash

Anita

Jessica Hynes

Steph

Billy Magnussen

Adam

Lolly Adefope

Dag

Episode 1

Aired Oct 6, 2024

Scene 31A: Tecto Meets Eye

First assistant director Dan struggles to solve endless problems on the set of Maximum Studios' superhero film, "Tecto: Eye of the Storm."

Details

Episode 2

Aired Oct 13, 2024

Scene 36: The Invisible Jackhammer

Hoping to wrap on a complicated stunt by the end of the day, Dan faces unsolicited scrutiny from Dag; Anita asserts herself as the film's newest producer and Eric demands more extras.

Details

Episode 3

Aired Oct 20, 2024

Scene 54: The Lilac Ghost

After Maximum Studios is accused of having a woman problem, Anita must find ways to empower Tecto's sole female character.

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Episode 4

Aired Oct 27, 2024

Scene 83: Enter the Gurgler

While they prepare for a big celebrity cameo from a popular superhero of the studio, the Tecto crew find themselves at odds with another film.

Details

Episode 5

Aired Nov 3, 2024

Scene 16: Eric's Hospital Scene

While Anita handles an unusual product placement request, Adam recruits Dag to help with his insecurities.

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Episode 6

Aired Nov 10, 2024

Scene 110: Baptism of Fire

Dan tries to raise morale when the film crew threatens to mutiny because of another shoot late into the night; Eric expects a visit from his Hollywood idol.

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Episode 7

Aired Nov 17, 2024

Scene 113: The Bridge

On location in Armenia, Eric's latest breakdown leads Dan and Dag to take charge of an explosive shoot day.

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Episode 8

Aired Nov 24, 2024

Scene 117: The Death of Eye

After Anita uncovers some troubling news about Tecto, Dan works on a plan, while Dag tries to dodge the Armenian authorities; an on-set incident overshadows Peter's final day of shooting.

Details

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The Franchise: Season 1 Trailer

1:38

The Franchise: Season 1 Trailer

1:42

The Franchise: Season 1 Teaser

1:26

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Director: Kevin Bray, Liza Johnson, Tom George, Tom George
Creator: Jon Brown
Executive Producer: Nicolas Brown, Pippa Harris, Armando Iannucci, Jim Kleverweis, Sam Mendes, Julie Pastor
Screenwriter: Rachel Axler, Keith Akushie, Marina Hyde, Dillon Mapletoft, Jon Brown, Juli Weiner
Network: HBO
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date: Oct 6, 2024

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Season 1 – The Franchise

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