The show chronicled the chaotic off-screen world behind a superhero franchise movie. 

First out of the gates with New Year cancellation news, Deadline report that The Franchise won’t have a second season.

The comedy was a collaboration between creator/executive producer Jon Brown (Succession), and executive producers Sam Mendes and Sam Mende. It told the story of a film crew who find themselves “…  trapped inside the dysfunctional, nonsensical, joyous hellscape of franchise superhero moviemaking.”

The series was led by Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein and Isaac Powell, with Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl taking regular guest star spots.

Across the eight episodes, we followed the ups and downs as they battled to make a movie called Tecto: Eye of the Storm, while being buffeted by outside forces. Not least the larger, more consequential movie from the same franchise moving in next door.

At CultBox we enjoyed the series, particularly the penultimate episode which featured a location shoot involving a bridge stunt and an endangered species of Armenian bat.

An HBO spokesperson said:

“We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the tremendously talented team behind The Franchise, especially Sam Mendes, Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and this hilarious ensemble of actors. While we won’t be moving forward with another season, we look forward to collaborating with all of them in the future.”

In the UK, you can still find the first eight-episode run of The Franchise on Sky and NOW.