Check out the trailer for Steve Carell’s new HBO comedy, ‘Rooster’
Check out the trailer for Steve Carell’s new HBO comedy, ‘Rooster’
The 10-episode series from Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses premieres in March 2026 on HBO Max.
There are comedy stars, and then there’s Steve Carell. He’s one of the absolute greats. And for me, “The Office” is still one of my favorite shows of all time. I can rewatch it anytime, and it still hits (yes, it’s politically incorrect but also funny). So when HBO announces a new straight-up comedy starring Carell, created by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, yeah, I’m paying attention immediately. That show is “Rooster”, a college-set comedy that looks like it’s built around discomfort, heart, and Carell doing what he does best. It premieres in March 2026, and here’s everything you need to know.
Everything you need to know about ‘Rooster’
When will episodes of ‘Rooster’ air?
“Rooster” premieres on Sunday, March 10, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max. The first season will run for 10 episodes, and after the series premiere, the rest of the season will roll out in the same HBO prestige time slot.
| Date | Time (ET) | Episode | Outlets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, March 8 | 10 p.m. | Series premiere | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, March 15 | 10 p.m. | Episode 2 | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, March 22 | 10 p.m. | Episode 3 | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, March 29 | 10 p.m. | Episode 4 | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, April 5 | 10 p.m. | Episode 5 | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, April 12 | 10 p.m. | Episode 6 | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, April 19 | 10 p.m. | Episode 7 | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, April 26 | 10 p.m. | Episode 8 | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, May 3 | 10 p.m. | Episode 9 | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, May 10 | 10 p.m. | Season finale | HBO Max, HBO |
Can you watch episodes of ‘Rooster’ for free?
There’s no standard free trial for HBO Max right now, so you’ll need a subscription to watch “Rooster” when it drops. The basic ad-supported plan costs $11 per month, while the standard ad-free plan is $18.50 per month, and the premium plan with 4K is $23 per month. Any of those gets you access to the full season, plus a deep comedy bench that includes shows like “Veep” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Watch the trailer for ‘Rooster’
What is ‘Rooster’ about?
“Rooster” is a college comedy about Greg Russo, a successful fiction author played by Steve Carell, who gets pulled into the academic world through his adult daughter. She’s a professor at a pretty elite college, and when Greg comes to campus for a reading, he doesn’t just pop in and leave. He gets fully absorbed into a place where he feels out of his depth almost immediately.
At the center, this is a father-daughter story. It’s about what happens when your kid grows up and stops needing your advice. It’s about reinvention later in life. And it’s about being very good at one thing and suddenly realizing you don’t belong in this new room at all. Now, for those expecting Michael Scott energy, don’t. This comedy is going to be much quieter, with Carell playing a guy who’s trying to figure out where he fits in a room that doesn’t need him anymore. Still, even with a real heart underneath, this show is clearly aiming to be funny first, and few do that better than Carell.
Who stars in ‘Rooster’?
Steve Carell leads the show as Greg Russo, an acclaimed author who’s trying to figure out how to show up for his daughter without completely overstepping. Charly Clive plays his daughter, Katie Russo, a professor dealing with her own personal stuff while also managing a father who can’t quite stay in his lane.
The supporting cast is stacked, too. Danielle Deadwyler, Phil Dunster, John C. McGinley, and Lauren Tsai all star in major roles. McGinley and Dunster will feel especially familiar if you’ve watched Bill Lawrence shows before, like “Ted Lasso” (where Dunster plays Jamie Tartt), and “Scrubs” (where McGinley plays Dr. Cox). We don’t have full character details yet, but this already looks like the kind of ensemble that can carry jokes fast and keep things grounded.
Get a first look at images from ‘The Rooster’
Click the images to expand them to full size.
Who created ‘Rooster’?
“Rooster” comes from Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, who co-showran and executive-produced the series alongside Steve Carell. Lawrence is behind “Ted Lasso,” “Shrinking,” and “Scrubs,” which tells you a lot about the tone right there. He knows how to make shows that are funny, warm, and built around characters you actually care about. Tarses also worked on “Scrubs” and brings that same character-first comedy muscle to the project. Lawrence and Tarses wrote the pilot; the show is produced by Warner Bros. Television, and Carell is also an executive producer. This feels like a very intentional collaboration, not a random star vehicle.
Will ‘Rooster’ have multiple seasons?
For my money, if this show works, it’s going to get a second season. A college campus is a great long-term setting, and the father-daughter dynamic gives the show a lot of runway. For now, Season 1 is the focus, but this absolutely feels like something HBO would want to stick with if it lands.
Are you excited for the ‘Rooster’ premiere? Let us know in the comments below.
Rooster
On a college campus, an author navigates a complicated relationship with his daughter.