New HBO Sports Drama Series Revealed From The Last Of Us Creator & Director Of 87% RT Pedro Pascal Rom-Com

HBO is developing a new sports drama with the creator of The Last of Us and the director of a recent critically acclaimed Pedro Pascal rom-com. Craig Mazin is the celebrated writer behind The Last of Us and Chernobyl, and Celine Song's movie Materialists is currently playing in theaters. Her film, Past Lives, was nominated for Academy Awards in 2023. Though the pair have yet to work together, they're linked by the star power of Pedro Pascal, who's just recently appeared in both of their projects.

Celine Song has begun developing a new HBO drama called Damage, set in the world of e-sports, which A24 Studios will produce (via Variety). Craig Mazin will also contribute as an executive producer, lending his Emmy-winning talents that helped get Game of Thrones off the ground. The project is still in early development, and although Song is writing and producing the series, she has yet to reveal many details, assuring that they'll be coming later, once things are further along.

What Celine Song's New E-Sports Drama Means For HBO

Damage Has Great Potential From The Get-Go

While Damage still has a long way to go before it hits TV screens, the series is incredibly promising. Celine Song's first two feature films have both been critically acclaimed, and she's evidently become one of the most sought-after young filmmakers in the industry, with A24 interested in an ongoing partnership with her. With the cast of Materialists in mind, it's clear that movie stars are interested in working with her as well, which could be a massive benefit for the HBO series.

Craig Mazin is another writer/producer who's achieved great acclaim in recent years, primarily for his work on Chernobyl, one of the greatest miniseries ever made. It seems like Celine Song is going to be the primary creative on Damage, but having Mazin for support and the brands of HBO and A24 on her side will surely help.

Our Take On Celine Song's New HBO Series

Damage Is Instantly One Of My Most-Anticipated Shows

Past Lives was phenomenal, and after seeing Materialists last night, I feel safe in saying that I'm going to be a lifelong fan of Celine Song's work. She's one of the most sophisticated and emotionally mature screenwriters in the industry, and I can't wait to see what she does with the e-sports topic. Not to mention, in an age when almost every film or television announcement is an adaptation or remake, I'm beyond thrilled to learn about a series that's a purely original idea.

For anyone who's questioning the entertainment value of e-sports in film/television, I'd recommend Players on Paramount+, an outstanding mockumentary series that was canceled far too early. Of course, Celine Song's approach will likely be very different, but it's still proof that e-sports can be just as compelling as traditional sports in terms of drama.