7 Greatest HBO Series With 4 Episodes or Less

Over the years, HBO has been home to some of the most acclaimed television programs of all time. From long-running prestige shows to engaging miniseries, the network offers audiences a wide range of quality entertainment through both traditional television and streaming. And while HBO has earned a certain reputation for its long-standing dramas and thrillers, the network’s miniseries library is equally interesting and certainly worth exploring.

For those occasions when you do not have the time or do not want to invest in multi-season shows, but are still looking for something substantial, HBO’s library includes some of the most critically acclaimed miniseries ever made. That includes a handful that consist of just four episodes (or less). These shows in particular are not only perfect as a quick watch, but also offer valuable entertainment on par with many of their longer-running counterparts. Ranging from historical dramas to real-to-reel translations to gripping thrillers, here’s our handpicked selection of the best HBO shows with four episodes or fewer that you could binge right now.

1

‘Landscapers’ (2021)

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A true-crime black comedy drama created by Ed Sinclair and directed by Will Sharpe, Landscapers recounts a real-life murder case that took place in 1998 in Mansfield, England. It reveals the circumstances that led to the murders of William and Patricia Wycherley, who were killed by their daughter, Susan, and her husband, Christopher, exploring the killers’ personal background, their marital relationship, and how they managed to keep the crime a secret for over a decade. Olivia Colman and David Thewlis star as the murderous couple, with Kate O’Flynn, Daniel Rigby, and Kathryn Hunter in notable roles.

Presented as a non-linear narrative, Landscapers is a well-crafted psychological crime drama elevated by the outstanding performances of its leading duo. Highly intriguing, with a dark comedic flair, the four-part series chronicles the ghastly but tragic story from the perspective of the peculiar couple whose sense of delusion and absurdity upends their marriage and future. Critically acclaimed for its style, tone, writing, and acting, but relatively lesser-known, Landscapers is easily one of the best miniseries to watch on HBO.

2

‘Olive Kitteridge’ (2014)

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Directed by Lisa Cholodenko and adapted from Elizabeth Strout’s 2008 novel of the same name, Olive Kitteridge tells the story of the titular protagonist, a strict, misanthropic retired schoolteacher living with her husband and troubled son in the fictional coastal town of Crosby, Maine. The series chronicles her struggles with her marriage, depression, bereavement, and jealousy, as she continues to go about her daily life for 25 years. Frances McDormand leads the ensemble cast as the protagonist, with Richard Jenkins, Bill Murray, Zoe Kazan, Ann Dowd, John Gallagher Jr., Jesse Plemons, and more in key roles.

Critics have praised Olive Kitteridge for its cinematography, characterizations, and performances, with the show winning eight Emmies, including acting awards for McDormand, Jenkins, and Murray. The four-part miniseries thrives on its brutally honest depiction of marriage and human frailty and is widely considered to be a faithful adaptation of Strout’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Frances McDormand is flawless as the complex, central character, alongside equally strong performances by Jenkins, Murray, and John Gallagher Jr., who plays Olive’s son, Christopher.

3

‘Gunpowder’ (2017)

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Developed by Kit Harington and Daniel West, and written by Ronan Bennett, Gunpowder is a dramatized retelling of the Gunpowder Treason Plot of 1605 and the failed regicide attempt on King James I. The three-part historical series follows Robert Catesby, a grieving Catholic nobleman in 1605 London, who devises a plan to bomb the House of Lords and assassinate the protestant king with the help of other conspirators, including Guy Fawkes. Harington leads the cast as Robert Catesby with Peter Mullan, Mark Gatiss, and Liv Tyler in main roles.

Gunpowder is a gripping and grounded take on one of the most explosive chapters of British history, intensified by Harington’s portrayal of the radical conspirator, who just so happens to be his direct ancestor. While several critics and fans have praised its suspenseful, atmospheric production, dark narrative style, and powerful performances, many have also criticized the brutal depiction of events and graphic violence. Even if it does not rank among the best historical shows on HBO, Gunpowder is still a great watch, especially for its themes, acting, and production values.

4

‘DMZ’ (2022)

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Created by Roberto Patino and based on the DC comic book series by Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli, DMZ is a dystopian drama miniseries that centers on a medic named Alma Ortega in a post-Second American Civil War Manhattan. While searching for her son, who went missing during the evacuation, Alma crosses into the titular zone of the city to find him, becoming a symbol of hope in the process. Rosario Dawson stars as Alma, with Hoon Lee, Freddy Miyares, Jordan Preston Carter, Venus Ariel, Amandla Jahava, and Benjamin Bratt in other main roles.

Upon its premiere, DMZ received mixed reviews for its limited adaptation of the original material, which is much more elaborate and complex in its world-building and political landscape. However, the four-episode series is praiseworthy for the committed performances by Dawson and Bratt, whose characters command the show’s four-episode runtime. An intense, explosive dystopian thriller with themes of community and resilience, DMZ makes for a quick, bingeable watch that somewhat succeeds in avoiding the typical post-apocalyptic tropes.

5

‘Catherine the Great’ (2019)

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Created by Philip Martin, Catherine the Great is a historical miniseries chronicling the rise and fall of Empress Catherine II of Russia. Set between 1764 and 1796, the four-part series explores the Tsarina’s reign from her coronation to her death, depicting her decades-long affair with Russian military leader Grigory Potemkin and how their devoted yet turbulent relationship shaped the future of Russia. Helen Mirren portrays the legendary empress, with Jason Clarke as Potemkin, leading a stacked cast starring Rory Kinnear, Gina McKee, Kevin R. McNally, Richard Roxburgh, Clive Russell, and more in key roles.

Packed with conflicts, intrigue, royal scandals, and political drama, Catherine the Great is an engaging historical series anchored by Helen Mirren’s remarkable portrayal of the iconic Russian royal. While the series has polarized reviewers with its narrative and intensely deliberate pace, critics and fans have universally praised its sprawling settings and lavish costumes that visually delight the viewer in every episode. On its premiere, Catherine the Great earned accolades for its opulent production and cinematography, including Golden Globe and Satellite Award nominations for Mirren.

6

‘House of Saddam’ (2008)

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A BBC docudrama miniseries directed by Alex Holmes and Jim O’Hanlon and written by Holmes and Stephen Butchard, House of Saddam chronicles the rise and fall of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Set between the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the U.S. Invasion of Iraq in 2003, the four-part series charts the inner workings of Hussein’s family, exploring their domestic power struggles, political machinations, and involvement in geopolitics. Yigal Naor stars as Saddam Hussein, with Shohreh Aghdashloo, Philip Arditti, Amr Waked, Said Taghmaoui, and Christine Stephen-Daly playing other real-life characters.

One of the most ambitious HBO shows of the 2000s, House of Saddam is largely powered by Naor’s portrayal of the dictator and his political cunning. Steeped in brutal violence, intense family loyalty, and infighting, the show’s cast (especially Saddam’s inner circle) has often been compared to The Sopranos or The Godfather. A dark, political drama emphasizing paranoia, extreme brutality, and systemic terror, House of Saddam is a violent and often unsettling screen translation of one of the most catastrophic chapters of modern Middle Eastern history.

7

‘Elizabeth I’ (2005)

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Directed by Tom Hooper and written by Nigel Williams, Elizabeth I is a two-part historical drama series about Queen Elizabeth I, the last and longest-reigning monarch of the House of Tudor. The series chronicles the last 24 years of her 45-year reign, with the first part focusing on the final few years of her relationship with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, while the second part focuses on her subsequent relationship with Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex. Helen Mirren portrays Elizabeth, with Jeremy Irons, Patrick Malahide, Toby Jones, Hugh Dancy, Barbara Flynn, Ewen Bremner, and Ian McDiarmid as notable characters.

With the possible exception of the Cate Blanchett-starrer Elizabeth, HBO’s Elizabeth I is arguably the most convincing portrait of the controversial queen. Critics have raved about Mirren’s performance, which is often cited as one of her best TV roles, perfectly portraying the duality of Elizabeth I’s personality as documented in history. At the time of its release, Elizabeth I earned widespread critical acclaim, and it went on to win Mirren a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and Primetime Emmy Award for her performance.

Elizabeth I

Release Date

2006 – 2005-00-00

Network

Channel 4