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Steve Carell stars in HBO’s “Rooster,” a new comedy that premiered on March 8, 2026, portraying Greg Russo, a best-selling novelist who takes a writer-in-residence position at a small New England college. The show explores the complicated dynamic between the celebrated author and his adult daughter, navigating family relationships against the backdrop of campus life.
Quick Facts
- “Rooster” premiered on March 8, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max
- Created by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses
- The first season contains 10 episodes
- The series was renewed for Season 2 in April 2026
A Story of Father and Daughter
The comedy follows Greg Russo, Steve Carell‘s character, as a successful author seeking to reconnect with his adult daughter by becoming a writer-in-residence at her college. The premise centers on the tension between a parent’s desire to help and the boundaries that come with adult relationships. The show explores when care becomes interference, according to its creative team, diving into the emotional complexity of fatherhood that drew Carell to take on the role.
Creating a New World with “Scrubs” Leadership
“Rooster” marks the return of creative partnership between Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, known for their work on the beloved medical comedy “Scrubs.” The series was built with Carell‘s comedic talents at its center, balancing humor with emotional depth. Carell declined co-writing the series to preserve Lawrence‘s clear creative vision shaped by his own experiences as a father, allowing the showrunner to steer the project’s direction.
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Reception and Streaming Home
The series has earned solid critical reception, with Rotten Tomatoes rating it at 89%. IMDb users have given it a 7.6 out of 10 rating from nearly 16,000 votes. “Rooster” airs new episodes on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and streams on HBO Max, making it accessible to viewers across the network’s platforms. With its strong start, the show has already secured its continuation into a second season.
Sources
- Wikipedia — premiere date, creators, and season renewal information
- IMDB — series description and viewership ratings
- HBO Press Release (WBD) — episode count and premiere date
- La Times — character details and premise
- Hollywood Reporter — character background and plot
- Rotten Tomatoes — critical reception score
