This is a nice change of pace. Following a steady stream of cancellations, particularly those of the animated variety, one Warner Bros./HBO Max project has actually been renewed. The series Harley Quinn will be back for a fourth season! Even sweeter, this news arrived before the final episode of Season Three has even been released. That arrives on September 15.
The senior VP of Comedy and Animation at HBO Max, Billy Wee, declared:
“Patrick Schumacker, Justin Halpern, and their incredible team of artists and writers have created something so explosively funny and original, and we are thrilled to continue this journey with them and the show’s legion of fans. It has been amazing to watch the show grow and evolve this season and we could not ask for a more talented and dedicated team of collaborators.”
Indeed, Harley Quinn has been critically acclaimed and has developed a devoted following. It has been nominated for multiple awards, with Harley voice actor Kaley Cuoco winning a Critics’ Choice Super Awards. The show itself took home Best Animated Series at the Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards.
Peter Girardi, Executive VP of Alternative Programming at Warner Bros. Animation added:
“Three seasons down and I can’t even begin to think about the new levels of chaos and trouble that Harley, Ivy, and the gang can get into with a fourth season. But I’m grateful to our partners at HBO Max for continuing this insane ride with us so we can all find out.”
However, there will be a major shakeup behind the scenes. Co-creators Halpern and Schumacker will step down from their showrunner roles as they focus on their live-action sitcom Abbott Elementary. Replacing them will be Sarah Peters, who has worked as a writer on Harley Quinn from the beginning and has served as consulting producer. As the showrunner, Peters will also take on the mantle of executive producer. Peters has also served as a writer and/or producer on the shows Awkafina Is Nora From Queens, Master of None, Workaholics, and Nathan for You.
Halpern and Schumacker issued a joint statement that read:
“We are ecstatic that HBO Max wants the story of Harley and Ivy to continue. And we are equally thrilled that this next season will be in great hands with Sarah Peters as our showrunner and Ceci Aranovich overseeing animation production, as they have both greatly influenced the show with their brilliance since the beginning.”
In addition to Cuoco, the cast includes Lake Bell as Poison Ivy, Ron Funches as King Shark, J.B. Smoove as Frank the Plant, Alan Tudyk as The Joker (and others), Matt Oberg as Kite Man (and others), Christopher Meloni as Commissioner James Gordon, Andy Daly as Harvey Dent/Two-Face (and others), Diedrich Bader as Bruce Wayne/Batman, James Adomian as Bane (and others), Sanaa Lathan as Catwoman, Briana Cuoco as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, and Harvey Guillén as Dick Grayson/Nightwing.
Are you a fan of Harley Quinn? Are you excited that there are more exploits to come?
