6 September 2024
Fantasmas S1
In Fantasmas, writer, director, and comedian Julio Torres spins a fantastical six-part tale that begins with the loss of a gold oyster earring. In his search for the precious object, he meets a series of offbeat characters in introspective, often eerie, and always comedic vignettes set against the backdrop of a dreamy, alternate version of New York City. A kaleidoscope of colour and surrealism, Fantasmas weaves together stories of people looking for meaning, purpose, and connection in an increasingly isolating world.
Fantasmas is at #4 on Metacritic’s list of the Best TV Shows This Year and #9 on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the Best TV Shows of 2024 (so far), with a 93% critics’ rating.
In a rare 5/5-star review, The Guardian called Fantasmas, “a fantastically creative and theatrical little diamond,“ and an “outstandingly whimsical new series [that] threatens to tear up television’s rules,” saying, “this wildly creative comedy is a beacon of hope for TV’s future.”
The cast is led by Torres (already a multiple-Emmy nominee for his work on Saturday Night Live, and creator of Problemista and the Peabody Award-winning Los Espookys), along with his Los Espookys collaborators Martine Gutierrez and Ana Fabrega, Emmy nominee Ikechukwu Ufomadu (Judas and the Black Messiah, Inspector Ike, Ziwe), and Jaboukie Young-White (Rap Sh!t, Only Murders in the Building). Fantasmas also boasts a jaw-dropping line-up of guest stars, including Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Dano, Rosie Perez, Steve Buscemi, Tilda Swinton, and Oscar winner Emma Stone, who also exec produced.
You can also binge both seasons of Los Espookys from Monday, 16 September.
More HBO and HBO Max hits to stream
The Penguin S1
Based on the DC Comics character, Penguin, this limited series explores the transformation of Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell) from a disfigured nobody to a noted Gotham gangster.
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes (2022)
From Emmy-winning director James Jones, this gripping documentary tells the story of the Chernobyl disaster through newly discovered archive footage and witness accounts.
It’s a Sin S1
The lives of five friends in London in 1981 are tested as they grow up in the shadow of the Aids pandemic.
The Girls on the (party) Bus: 5 secrets about political reporters
Find out what really happens on the press bus as comedy drama The Girls on the Bus follows four political journalists through 52 cities in 32 days on the campaign trail.