Iconic Aussie TV star leads new HBO Max musical comedy

HBO Max has set Tuesday 4 November as the premiere date for Happiness, a new six-part musical comedy led by Harry McNaughton & Rebecca Gibney.

Joining Gibney and McNaughton are Peter Hambleton, Jessie Lawrence, Marshayla Christie, Maaka Pohatu, Bronwyn Bradley, Henry Auva'a, Joel Granger and Melody Lui-Webster. The series is set in Tauranga, New Zealand, and follows Broadway director Charlie Summers (McNaughton), who returns home after a scandal and finds himself directing his mother Gaye’s (Gibney) community theatre production.

Billed as a mix of humour, heart and harmony, the show explores themes of identity, redemption and family, both chosen and inherited. HBO Max has already confirmed a second season for 2026.

Happiness will stream exclusively on HBO Max from 4 November.

Top image: Rebecca Gibney & Harry McNaughton

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