It’s been 13 years since the end of The Office, and while his theatrical work has boomed since then, Steve Carell has not let his passion for television go to the wayside. Instead, his latest effort has proven that he still has the pull power of an actor who has been nominated at the Primetime Emmys 11 total times (though he has yet to win one). From the co-creator of Ted Lasso comes a new feel-good series that puts Carell back in front of television screens as a leading man alongside an impressive ensemble cast.
Upon its premiere earlier this month on Mar. 8, Rooster scored the most-watched comedy debut in the United States for HBO in over a decade, per The Wrap. Over a three-day period, the series received 2.4 million viewers across both HBO and its streaming counterpart, HBO Max. It’s an especially impressive number for an original comedy series, which the network has doubled down on in recent memory to great success. But, did Rooster‘s opening numbers translate to sustained streaming? The short answer: Yes, absolutely.
‘Rooster’ Is a Streaming Hit for HBO Max
As of this writing, Rooster has steadily remained at the number three spot this past week on HBO Max’s most-watched shows list in the United States, per Flix Patrol. It’s an impressive showing for an original comedy series, but it’s not too shocking considering the star power in front and behind the camera. Rooster hails from series creators Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, the former of whom co-developed Apple TV’s hit comedy series Ted Lasso. And if you loved the soccer-centric series about an unconventional coach finding a home and family abroad, then Rooster might be for you.
The series stars Steve Carell as Greg Russo, a bestselling author who visits his daughter, Katie, played by Charly Clive, at a liberal arts college in New England after her fellow professor husband, Archie, portrayed by Ted Lasso‘s Phil Dunster, leaves her for a graduate student. Rooster not only follows the “complicated” relationship between Greg and his daughter, but how he handles an unexpected new position at the school. The show also stars Danielle Deadwyler (The Woman in the Yard), John C. McGinley (Scrubs), and Lauren Tsai (Legion). Read the official logline:
A comedy set on a college campus centering on an author’s (Carell) complicated relationship with his daughter (Charly Clive).
Has Steve Carell Found His Next Big Comedy Hit?
As of this writing, Rooster has an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 45 reviews from critics. With a Certified Fresh rating under its belt, and some impressive viewership numbers, there is a good chance that Carell has found his next big comedy television hit. Since The Office, Carell appeared in the television sci-fi comedy Space Force in 2020, but it only lasted two seasons on Netflix before it was canceled. Of course, it’s too early to tell, but if Rooster borrows some of the success of Ted Lasso in any capacity, HBO and Carell might be the match made in TV heaven fans have been waiting for.
- Release Date
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March 8, 2026
- Network
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HBO
