HBO Confirms 3 of Its Best Shows Are Coming to An End

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HBO is saying goodbye to some of its most popular shows. The network has built a reputation for consistently delivering high-quality series like The Penguin, The White Lotus, and The Pitt. But HBO generally doesn’t let shows run on indefinitely, and several of its biggest hits are coming to a close with their upcoming seasons.

HBO CEO Casey Bloys recently told Deadline that three popular shows are probably coming to an end. While he hinted at cancellations, he emphasized that the final decision will rest with the creators of each show.

Although it hasn’t been officially announced, sources suggest that HBO’s Casey Bloys believes several shows are coming to a natural conclusion.

These Top HBO Shows Are Expected to End Soon

House of the Dragon

After the controversial finale of Game of Thrones, the new spin-off House of the Dragon has successfully brought viewers back to George R.R. Martin’s fantasy universe.

House of the Dragon is a prequel to Game of Thrones, taking place centuries earlier and focusing on the Targaryen family. The show portrays a brutal civil war within the ruling house, at a time when dragons were still plentiful and powerful. The series is adapted from a portion of George R.R. Martin’s book, Fire & Blood, and will cover the events detailed within that specific timeframe.

HBO has renewed House of the Dragon for a third season, set to air in 2026. However, it appears Season 4 will be the show’s finale. According to HBO’s content chief, the story of the Targaryens in House of the Dragon has a clear ending, and the network intends to respect that natural conclusion.

Casey Bloys explained that the plan from the beginning was to tell the complete story of the Targaryen family. For those familiar with the source material, they know how the Targaryens’ story ultimately concludes, meaning there’s a defined endpoint for this particular narrative.

Hacks

As a long-time viewer, I’ve honestly thought Hacks might be wrapping up a few times already. But it really looks like Season 5 will be the final one. It’s sad to see it go, especially with Jean Smart as the hilariously sharp Deborah Vance and Hannah Einbinder perfectly playing her writer, Ava. This Emmy-winning show has been a gem, and it seems like they’re ending things on their own terms.

For months, there’s been talk that the fifth season of Hacks will be its last. Actress Jean Smart hinted to Variety that the final season is “really bittersweet.” The show’s creators – Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs – have often mentioned a five-season arc for Hacks, and HBO’s willingness to let them decide the show’s ending suggests that plan will likely happen.

Season 4 of Hacks dramatically changed direction, placing Deborah Vance in the fast-paced world of late-night television and concluding with a shocking, but false, report of her death. This event sparked Deborah’s determination to cement her legacy, setting the stage for a compelling Season 5.

The Last of Us

HBO’s The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed series based on the popular video games by Naughty Dog, and is considered one of the best adaptations of a game ever made. The first season starred Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey and covered the story of the first game. The story of the longer The Last of Us: Part II will be told over both Season 2 and a newly announced Season 3.

Craig Mazin has hinted at the possibility of a fourth season of The Last of Us, suggesting that “four seems like a good number.”

Although the second game is significantly longer, it’s already revealed most of its main plot in Season 2. Season 3 then revisits the same events, but this time showing things from Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) perspective.

As a huge fan of The Last of Us, I was really excited to hear the game has an epilogue! It makes me hopeful for more, even though Craig Bloy has hinted Season 3 might be the end. I’m now thinking maybe they’ll just add a few extra episodes to Season 3 to cover what happens in the epilogue, instead of making a full-blown Season 4. That would be a great way to wrap things up and still give us that extra content!

While HBO hasn’t announced a release date for Season 3 of The Last of Us, production is scheduled to begin in 2026.

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2026-02-15 03:35