HBO Max Orders New Family Drama Series With Star-Studded Cast
HBO Max has given a 15-episode order to How to Survive Without Me, a family drama starring Kaley Cuoco, Joshua Jackson, Ray Romano and Rita Wilson. The series, which began as a pilot ordered in February, was co-created by Greg Berlanti, his husband Robbie Rogers, and frequent collaborator Bash Doran, drawing from their own family experiences of love and loss.
What is the series about?
The official description reads:
In the wake of matriarch Beverly's passing, the De Angelis family have begun to drift, unsure how to manage their complicated, evolving lives without her guidance, but in true Beverly fashion, she found a way to keep running the show from the beyond. Should they wish to experience Beverly's final work, the family must find the time and make the effort to remain connected and be there for each other through all of life's challenges yet to come.
Wilson plays Beverly, a series regular, while Romano plays her widower Leo. Cuoco and Jackson play their children, Kate and Cooper. The cast also includes Julia Schlaepfer, Jack Ball, Kylar Miranda, Julian Grey, Scarlett Abinante, Tommy Dewey, Matthew Kellison, Colette Porch and Ella Rubin as series regulars. Guest stars include Dar Zuzovsky, Genevieve Angelson, Joe Romano, Katie Aselton, Katie Monds, Kevin Changaris, Pressley Hosbach, Richard Blackmon, Sofía Rodríguez-Toymil and Will Yun Lee.
Who is behind the production?
Berlanti and Doran wrote the pilot. Executive producers include Berlanti, Rogers, Sarah Schechter and Leigh London Redman via Berlanti Productions, along with Doran, Ryan O'Connell and director Daniel Minahan. Warner Bros. Television, where Berlanti Productions holds an overall deal, is the studio.
Berlanti said in a statement:
The first show I ever created was a family drama, almost exactly 25 years before this one was picked up. It's been incredibly emotional to return to this kind of storytelling and I'm so grateful to Casey, Sarah, Joey and everyone at HBO Max for asking, to Channing, Brett and Clancy and the Warner Bros. team, and finally our brilliant cast: Ray, Kaley, Josh, Rita and the rest of our extraordinary ensemble and crew. To also co-create it with Bash and my husband, Robbie, and draw from our own families' experiences of love and loss has made the whole show the most personal thing I've worked on in years.
Sarah Aubrey, head of HBO Max original programming, added:
Ray Romano, Kaley Cuoco, Joshua Jackson and Rita Wilson lead a dream cast perfect for this emotional, extraordinary story. We're delighted to be in business again with Greg and our partners at Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television.
Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD US Networks, said:
All of us at Warner Bros. Television are thrilled to have another new series from our brilliant partner Greg Berlanti and his team. This is an incredible cast bringing to life a deeply personal, heartfelt story, one filled with laughter, and the kind of warmth that makes it instantly relatable. We are excited to be part of this next chapter with HBO Max and can't wait to bring this beautiful story to fruition.
Why this series matters for family audiences
At a time when much of modern entertainment pushes divisive social messaging, How to Survive Without Me stands out as a story rooted in enduring family bonds, personal responsibility and the importance of staying connected through hardship. The premise, centred on a family learning to support one another after the loss of their matriarch, reinforces values that resonate across cultures, including here in Botswana, where family remains the cornerstone of community life.
The series also represents a return to traditional family drama storytelling, a genre that has been largely neglected in favour of more provocative content. Its emphasis on love, loss and reconciliation offers a refreshing alternative for viewers seeking meaningful, principled entertainment.
When will the series premiere?
HBO Max has not yet announced a premiere date. Production details and additional casting announcements are expected in the coming months.