EP 86: The Pitt, Hacks & Harry Potter: Inside Original Programming at HBO Max With Sarah Aubrey

What does it take to create culture-defining entertainment that not only attracts loyal viewers but wins accolades as well? We’ve asked Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Programming for HBO Max. The streaming service behind shows like “The Pitt,” “Hacks,” “And Just Like That,” and the forthcoming “Harry Potter” series is once again evolving what audiences expect from premium television: high-quality entertainment delivered on a consistent basis.  

Aubrey, a Texas native, began her career as a lawyer before making the jump into film producing. Her first foray, the Billy Bob Thornton comedy “Bad Santa,” was a hit. From there, she worked with Peter Berg for many years, producing both the movie and television series “Friday Night Lights.” Now an executive, she balances managing the big picture of series and movie development with the occasional need to go deep into the details (case in point: she shared the conversation around how a particular actor’s hair should be worn in an upcoming project).   

💬 In this episode, we explore:

• Why she thinks “The Pitt” has been such a hit, and the thoughtful way the creators put that show together 
• On keeping the end of “Hacks” a secret, and why all the details in a show are so important 
• How Aubrey is viewing the upcoming acquisition of Warner Bros, the parent company of HBO Max, by Paramount, and why she values embracing uncertainty 
• How she sees women evolving in the workplace, and what she’s learning from the next generation 
• Why uber-producer Brain Grazer once commented that Aubrey never gets “panicked.”
• How she prioritizes her three kids, and the advice from one of the most famous divorce attorneys who has helped her thrive in her big, blended family 

Resources:

📸  Follow HBO Max on Instagram

💻  Watch HBO Max

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