Search Party

Series Run: November 21, 2016 –
Total current Season(s): 5
Network(s): HBO Max
Genre: Comedy-Drama, Mystery, Mystery-Comedy, Serialized
Additional Notes: Search Party moves to HBO Max for Seasons 3 and 4. The third season premieres June 25, 2020, followed by Season 4 which released January 14, 2021

HBO Max Picks Up SEARCH PARTY for a Fifth Season

Showrunners Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers Sign Overall Deal with HBO Max
HBO Max has picked up Max Original SEARCH PARTY for a fifth season and signed the series' showrunners Charles Rogers and Sarah-Violet Bliss to a two-year overall deal to develop new programming for the streamer.

"We are thrilled that HBO Max has not only given the world a fifth season of 'Search Party,' but also shown this much faith in our partnership with them as we develop new projects for the platform," said executive producers Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers. "Potential titles for upcoming shows include 'Monkeys Love Manhattan' and 'The Pineapple Predicament.' Those aren't actual shows we would ever pitch but it exhibits that we can make up titles if we need to."

"Charles and Sarah-Violet are the masters of genre-blending and we can't wait to see what they come up with next!" said Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max. "It's been a joy working with them - they are whip smart, wildly funny and have such a distinctive worldview - we couldn't be happier that they are continuing to call HBO Max their home."

SEARCH PARTY stars Alia Shawkat, John Reynolds, John Early and Meredith Hagner. The first three seasons followed best friends "Dory" (Shawkat), "Drew" (Reynolds), "Elliott" (Early) and "Portia" (Hagner) through a messy private investigation, semi-accidental murder, absurd cover-up and sensational trial. In season four, Dory was held prisoner by her psychotic stalker "Chip" (Cole Escola), forcing Drew, Elliott and Portia to once again become a search party - but this time, for Dory. The comedy series, known for its trenchant satire of millennial culture, has a series 97% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. The first two seasons aired on TBS before the series moved to HBO Max for seasons three and four.

SEARCH PARTY is executive produced by Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, Michael Showalter and Lilly Burns and Tony Hernandez for Jax Media.

The first episode of SEARCH PARTY season four is currently available to stream for free on HBO Max and the HBO Max website.

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In SEARCH PARTY season four, Dory (Alia Shawkat) is held prisoner by her psychotic stalker Chip (Cole Escola), who is determined to make Dory believe that they are best friends. Meanwhile, Portia (Meredith Hagner) is starring in a film about the trial, although not as herself; Elliott (John Early) has switched party lines to become a far-right conservative talk show host; and Drew (John Reynolds) is trying to escape his dark past by working as a costumed cast member in a theme park. As the friends begin to connect the dots that Dory might not be touring Europe as her faked social media suggests, they must decide whether to put their traumatic pasts behind them and once again become a search party - but this time, for Dory. Joining the show's stellar guest stars this season are Susan Sarandon, Busy Philipps, Ann Dowd, Griffin Dunne and Lillias White, as well as R.L. Stine in a cameo role.

SEARCH PARTY is executive produced by Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, Michael Showalter, and Lilly Burns and Tony Hernandez for Jax Media.

This week marked the launch of "Search Party: The Podcast," hosted by comedian and SEARCH PARTY fan Bowen Yang. In each episode, Yang will sit down with a SEARCH PARTY co-creator, actor or writer as well as a celebrity fan to dissect specific themes from seasons one through three of the show. Together, the three talking heads will humorously analyze the characters' psychology, share behind-the-scenes anecdotes and discuss the series' most insane moments. "Search Party: The Podcast" will release new episodes Mondays and Wednesdays on iHeartRadio, HBO Max and all major podcast platforms with notable guests including Paul Scheer, Chloe Fineman, Busy Philipps, Mitra Jouhari, Kate Berlant, Carrie Brownstein, Michaela Watkins, Vanessa Bayer and Shalita Grant. Episode one with guests Charles Rogers and Taran Killam is live here.

"Search Party: The Podcast" is co-produced by iHeartRadio and HBO Max, and distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network.

Max Original "SEARCH PARTY" Season Four Premieres January 2021
New Guest Stars Include Susan Sarandon, Busy Philipps, Ann Dowd, Griffin Dunne and Lillias White

Special Cameo by R.L. Stine

LOS ANGELES - November 24, 2020 - Beloved comedy thriller "Search Party" returns to HBO Max for its fourth season in January 2021. In the new season, "Dory" (Alia Shawkat) is held prisoner by her psychotic stalker "Chip" (Cole Escola), who is determined to make Dory believe that they are best friends. Meanwhile, "Portia" (Meredith Hagner) is starring in a film about the trial, although not as herself; "Elliott" (John Early) has switched party lines to become a far-right conservative talk show host; and "Drew" (John Reynolds) is trying to escape his dark past by working as a costumed cast member in a theme park. As the friends begin to connect the dots that Dory might not be touring Europe as her faked social media posts suggest, they must decide whether or not to put their traumatic pasts behind them and once again become a search party - but this time, for Dory.

Joining the show's stellar guest stars this season are Susan Sarandon, Busy Philipps, Ann Dowd, Griffin Dunne and Lillias White, as well as R.L. Stine in a cameo role.

Susan Sarandon plays "Lylah," the unapologetically wealthy aunt to Chip, Dory's kidnapper. One of Hollywood's most acclaimed actresses, Sarandon is an Oscar(R) and SAG Award(R) winner, and has earned nine Golden Globes(R) nominations and six Emmy(R) nominations. Her countless memorable credits include "Bull Durham," "Thelma and Louise," "Dead Man Walking" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Sarandon is repped by UTA.

Busy Philipps plays "Donna DiMarco," a former teen star who is cast as Portia in a film portraying the murder of "Keith Powell" (Ron Livingston). To Portia's dismay, Donna has a lot of specific choices in mind. Philipps is an author, actor, activist, writer and most recent late-night talk show host of "Busy Tonight." Philipps released a collection of humorous autobiographical essays titled "This Will Only Hurt a Little," which became a New York Times Best Seller in its first week. Her newest venture is a podcast with Cloud10 called "Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best" and she is currently filming the comedy series "Girls5eva" opposite Sara Bareilles. "Girls5eva" will premiere on Peacock and is produced by Tina Fey. Philipps is represented by ICM, B Company, ID and Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown, Inc.

Emmy winner and Golden Globe nominee Ann Dowd plays "Paula Jo," a nosy Christmas-obsessed townie who gets a little too close to Chip's house for his own comfort. Dowd is best known for her role as "Aunt Lydia" in "The Handmaid's Tale," and her additional film and television credits include "Hereditary," "Compliance" and "The Leftovers." Dowd is repped by Innovative and Principal Entertainment.

Actor, director and producer Griffin Dunne plays "Richard Wreck," the CEO of a pastry company called Lil' Sticky's, which might offer a vital clue to finding Dory's whereabouts. Dunne directed and produced the documentary "Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold"; directed "Addicted to Love" and "Practical Magic"; and his acting credits include "I Love Dick," "War Machine," "Dallas Buyers Club" and "This Is Us." He is an Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee. Dunne is repped by UTA and Industry Entertainment.

Tony(R) winner Lillias White plays "Wilma," a world-famous talk show host who has an obsession with "Chantal" (Clare McNulty). White won a Tony for her role as "Sonja" in "The Life," was nominated for a second Tony as "Funmilayo" in "Fela!" and her other Broadway credits include "Dreamgirls," "Cats" and "Chicago." On the screen, she received an Emmy as part of the cast of "Sesame Street." Other notable film and television credits include Disney's animated feature "Hercules," "Pieces of April" and "The Get Down" on Netflix. Coming in 2021 is her next solo album entitled "Get Happy!" White is repped by CornerStone Talent Agency.

R.L. Stine is one of the most popular children's authors in history. His books have sold more than 400 million copies, and the "Goosebumps" series have so far inspired a television show and two motion pictures. He is currently writing a series of graphic novels entitled "Just Beyond."

"Search Party" is executive produced by Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, Michael Showalter, and Jax Media's Lilly Burns and Tony Hernandez.