HBO's comedy-dramedy series 'Rooster,' starring Steve Carell and created by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, premiered its first episode 'Release the Brown Fat' on Max on March 8, 2026, earning an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The show follows a best-selling author becoming a college writer-in-residence amid his daughter's family drama. New episodes air weekly on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.
Announced by HBO in December 2025, 'Rooster' debuted on March 8, 2026, marking Carell's return to lead comedic roles since The Office. The series blends comedy and drama around family dynamics on a college campus at Ludlow College, where Carell's Greg Russo joins as writer-in-residence. His daughter Katie (Charly Clive) is separating from her posh husband Archie (Phil Dunster), who left for graduate student Sunny (Lauren Tsai). Additional cast includes Danielle Deadwyler and John C. McGinley.
The premiere was noted for its exposition-heavy introduction to the ensemble. Creator Bill Lawrence, known for Ted Lasso, reunited with Dunster (Jamie Tartt in Ted Lasso). In a Deadline interview, Lawrence contrasted the roles: “Jamie Tartt was blue collar and a bit of a punk [from] the wrong side of the tracks, and [Archie’s] posh and highly educated and pretentious and a wordsmith.” He added, “Phil [Dunster] is super talented... he can do reprehensible things without you ever going, ‘Oh, I f–king hate that.’ And that is a gift.”
Season 1 has 10 episodes, airing Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and streaming on Max the same day: Episode 2 'Trousers' (March 15), followed by March 22, March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, and finale May 10 (titles 3-10 TBA). No Season 2 renewal yet.
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