‘Euphoria’ Creator Officially Leaves HBO After 7 Years
Sam Levinson is leaving HBO after seven years as his production company, Tiny Goat Productions, has signed a television development and production deal with Amazon MGM Studios. The move gives Levinson and his wife and producing partner, Ashley Levinson, a new platform for projects, following his work on the acclaimed but divisive series Euphoria.
Euphoria has received 32 Primetime Emmy nominations and won nine. Despite criticism of its third season, the premiere drew 8.5 million viewers in three days, 44% more than the second-season premiere, while the season averaged 25 million views per episode, up 17%. Amazon MGM Studios said it welcomed the pair and would give them creative freedom to develop projects for its platforms.
- Sam and Ashley Levinson have signed a TV deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
- The deal follows Sam Levinson’s seven years at HBO.
- Euphoria’s third season averaged 25 million views per episode.
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Sam Levinson is a writer and director best known for creating Euphoria, a drama about teenagers that explores relationships, addiction and mental health. His wife, Ashley Levinson, is a producer and his partner at Tiny Goat Productions, their production company.
HBO is a television network and streaming service that has made Euphoria since its launch. Amazon MGM Studios develops and produces films and television for Amazon’s platforms, including Prime Video. A production deal gives a company a partner to develop and make new programmes; it does not mean that every proposed project will be made.
The move matters because it changes where the pair will develop future work, while Euphoria remains a notable part of Levinson’s career. The series has received major awards recognition and attracted a large audience, alongside criticism of its content and later season.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The move can be seen as a sensible opportunity for Levinson and his producing partner to pursue new projects with a studio that promises creative freedom. Euphoria’s awards and reported audience growth suggest their work has found a substantial audience, even amid criticism, and a new platform could help them reach viewers with a wider range of stories.
The case against
Leaving HBO may mean losing the continuity and established support of a long-running creative partnership, while the reported success of Euphoria could make the move a risk for both sides. Critics of the series’ third season may also question whether audience figures and awards alone show that its creative direction is working, so the new deal’s promise of freedom leaves open how projects will be shaped and received.