HBO/Cinemax - 2011/2012 Programming Overview

DRAMA SERIES

TRUE BLOOD: Based on the popular Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, this Emmy(R)-nominated hit drama series was created by Alan Ball, creator of HBO's Emmy(R)-winning series "Six Feet Under." The show follows the on-and-off romance between waitress and part-faerie Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people's thoughts, and 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). The fourth-season finale debuts Sept. 11.

BOARDWALK EMPIRE: Set in the 1920s in the early days of Prohibition, this Emmy(R)-nominated, Golden Globe-winning series chronicles the life and times of "Nucky" Thompson, the undisputed leader of Atlantic City, who was equal parts politician and gangster. Steve Buscemi stars as Thompson; other cast members include Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Dabney Coleman, Shea Whigham, Anthony Laciura, Stephen Graham, Jack Huston, Aleksa Palladino, Michael Stuhlbarg, Vincent Piazza, Paz de la Huerta, Paul Sparks, Michael Kenneth Williams and Gretchen Mol. The series was created by Terence Winter ("The Sopranos"), who also serves as executive producer with Martin Scorsese, Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg and Tim Van Patten. The 12-episode second season launches Sept. 25.

LUCK: This new drama series is a provocative look at horse racing - the owners, gamblers, jockeys and diverse gaming industry players. The cast for the pilot stars Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Kevin Dunn, Richard Kind, Jason Gedrick, Ritchie Coster, Ian Hart, Tom Payne, Kerry Condon, Gary Stevens and Nick Nolte; Jill Hennessy guest stars. Pilot credits: executive producers, David Milch, Michael Mann and Carolyn Strauss; co-executive producer, Henry Bronchtein; producer, Dustin Hoffman; written by David Milch; directed by Michael Mann. The nine-episode season was filmed at Santa Anita Park and other Los Angeles locations.

GAME OF THRONES: Based on the popular book series "A Song of Ice and Fire," by George R.R. Martin, this Emmy(R)-nominated fantasy series chronicles an epic struggle for power in a vast and violent fantasy kingdom. The ensemble cast for the first season included Mark Addy, Sean Bean, Emilia Clarke, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Fairley, Lena Headey, Kit Harington and Aidan Gillen. The second season will shoot at the Paint Hall Studio in Belfast, as well as various locations in Northern Ireland, with debut scheduled for 2012.

COMEDY SERIES

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: Now in its eighth season, the Emmy(R)- and Golden Globe-winning show stars "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David as an over-the-top version of himself in an unsparing but tongue-in-cheek depiction of his life. Featuring real-life celebrities playing themselves, the episodes are improvised by the actors. Guest stars this season include series veterans Bob Einstein, Richard Lewis, Rosie O'Donnell, J.B. Smoove and Wanda Sykes, as well as Jonathan Ames, Bill Buckner, Gary Cole, Michael J. Fox, Ana Gasteyer, Ricky Gervais, Michael Gross, Harry Hamlin, Michael McKean, Aida Turturro and Mookie Wilson. The eighth-season finale debuts Sept. 11.

ENTOURAGE: Created by Doug Ellin, this hit series draws on the experiences of Hollywood insiders and stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and three-time Emmy(R) winner Jeremy Piven. The finale of the eighth and final season debuts Sept. 11.

HUNG: This comedy series stars Thomas Jane as a well-endowed former high school legend turned struggling middle-aged high school basketball coach, who figures out a way to use his best asset when faced with a financial crisis. The series is written and created by Dmitry Lipkin and Colette Burson. The ten-episode third season kicks off Oct. 2.

HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA: This comedy series follows two enterprising twentysomethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream by making a name for themselves in the competitive fashion scene. Bryan Greenberg, Victor Rasuk, Luis Guzman, Lake Bell and Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi star. Executive produced by Stephen Levinson, series creator Ian Edelman, Julian Farino and Mark Wahlberg, the show kicks off its eight-episode second season Oct. 2.

BORED TO DEATH: Created by Jonathan Ames, this half-hour comedy series stars Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis. Schwartzman portrays a thirtysomething Brooklyn writer who has a side business as an unlicensed private detective, solving some cases and making others worse. Guest stars this season include John Hodgman, Oliver Platt, Bebe Neuwirth, Patton Oswalt, Dick Cavett, Olympia Dukakis, Isla Fisher, Sarah Silverman, Casey Wilson, Halley Feiffer, Mary Steenburgen and David Rasche. Executive producers are Jonathan Ames, Sarah Condon, Dave Becky, Stephanie Davis and Troy Miller. The eight-episode third season kicks off Oct. 10.

ENLIGHTENED: This new show focuses on a self-destructive woman (Laura Dern) who has a spiritual awakening after a meltdown. Determined to live a more enlightened existence, the former career executive's new lifestyle wreaks havoc both at home and at work. Luke Wilson and Diane Ladd also star; the cast also includes Sarah Burns, Timm Sharp, Amy Hill and series writer-director Mike White. The pilot, written and directed by White, was created from a story by White and Dern, who are executive producers. Miguel Arteta, Edward Saxon serve as co-executive producers; David Bernad and Jason Weinberg are producers. The ten-episode season debuts Oct. 10.

ANGRY BOYS: This new comedy series comes from Chris Lilley, creator and star of the acclaimed HBO comedy series "Summer Heights High." Shot in mock documentary style, the show explores what it means to be a 21st-century boy by putting the male of the species under the microscope, with Lilley playing multiple roles. The 12-episode season debuts this fall.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM: Returning for its third season, this animated series about an average guy whose instincts repeatedly lead him down the wrong path was created by Steve Dildarian, who also executive produces and writes the show, and provides the voice of the title character. The ten-episode season debuts later this year.

EASTBOUND & DOWN: Starring Danny McBride and executive produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Chris Henchy, Jody Hill and Danny McBride, this comedy series tells the story of a star pitcher whose self-destructive behavior knocks him out of major league baseball, leaving him broke, delusional and desperate to regain his former glory. Production begins on the third season this summer, with debut scheduled for 2012.

GIRLS: Created by and starring Lena Dunham ("Tiny Furniture"), the show is a comic look at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of girls in their early 20s. Dunham wrote and directed the pilot of the series, which she executive produces along with Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner. The cast also includes Jemima Kirke, Allison Williams, Adam Driver and Zosia Mamet. Currently shooting in New York, the ten-episode season debuts in 2012.

VEEP: Created by Armando Iannucci (Oscar(R) nominee for co-writing "In the Loop"), this new comedy series stars Emmy(R) winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus as former Senator Selina Meyer, who becomes Vice President, only to discover the job is nothing like she expected, but everything she was warned about. The show also stars Sufe Bradshaw, Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Tim Simons and Matt Walsh. Iannucci co-wrote and directed the pilot of the series, which he executive produces along with Frank Rich and Christopher Godsick. The eight-episode season debuts in 2012.

THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW: This animated adaptation of Ricky Gervais' hit podcasts features the comic stream-of-consciousness exchanges between Gervais, his collaborator Stephen Merchant and their offbeat friend Karl Pilkington. The third season debuts in 2012.

OTHER SERIES

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER: Now in its ninth season, Maher's live weekly show is devoted to news and comedy, allowing him to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues. New editions debuts Fridays at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT). The show goes on hiatus after the Aug. 5 edition, and returns Sept. 16.

ON FREDDIE ROACH: Directed and executive produced by Emmy(R) nominee Peter Berg ("Friday Night Lights"), this cinéma-vérité series focuses on Freddie Roach, the world-famous boxing trainer who owns and operates the famed Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood, where he has produced a host of world champions. The cameras follow Roach as he works with future stars, engages the continuous stream of celebrity visitors to his gym, finds time to sort through and balance his myriad of outside interests, and manages his new role with USA Boxing, all while fighting Parkinson's disease, an ailment likely linked to his own boxing past. A co-production of Film 44 and Atticus Entertainment; also executive produced by Jim Lampley, Sarah Aubrey and Michael Price. This six-episode series debuts in early 2012.

CINEMAX SERIES

STRIKE BACK: This high-octane action series focuses on a charismatic former U.S. Special Forces operative who teams up with a British military unit to stop an international terrorist group. Sullivan Stapleton ("Animal Kingdom") and Philip Winchester ("Fringe") star along with Amanda Mealing and Eva Birthistle. Executive producers are Andy Harries and Elaine Pyke; co-executive producers are Dan Percival and Frank Spotnitz; Michael Casey produces. The ten-episode season launches Aug. 12.

TRANSPORTER: Based on the popular film franchise of the same name created by Luc Besson, this fast-paced series follows the adventures of professional transporter Frank Martin, who operates in a seedy underworld of dangerous criminals and desperate players. Chris Vance stars as Martin; Andrea Osvart stars as his handler Carla; and Francois Berléand reprises his role as Inspector Tarconi from the films. Executive producers are Luc Besson, Klaus Zimmermann and Fred Fuchs; produced by Atlantique/Lagardere Entertainment. The 12-episode season shoots in Europe and Canada, with debut scheduled for 2012.