HBO Max is adding a new DC series to its lineup, and this one takes a very different approach from the usual superhero shows. The streaming service has officially ordered The People v. Gorilla Grodd, an eight-episode comedy series that comes from the creators of American Vandal. Skyler Gisondo returns as Jimmy Olsen from the 2025 Superman movie, while Jimmy Tatro plays the title character Gorilla Grodd.
The series got a straight-to-series order, meaning HBO Max is fully committed to producing all eight episodes without filming a pilot first. This move shows the streamer’s confidence in the project, which has been in development since November 2025.
A True Crime Mockumentary Set in the DC Universe
The People v. Gorilla Grodd is not your typical superhero series. Instead of capes and action sequences, the show takes the form of a true crime docuseries, similar to popular shows like Making a Murderer or Tiger King. The series follows Jimmy Olsen as he directs and stars in a documentary investigating whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted.
The official logline describes the setup: a superintelligent ape is convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City. In an eight-part “true” crime docuseries, Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen reopens the case to determine if Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted in one of Metropolis’s most famous murder trials.
This creative choice puts a fresh spin on the DC Universe. Rather than following heroes fighting villains, the series examines the legal system and questions whether a well-known DC villain actually committed the crime he was accused of.
Skyler Gisondo Returns as Jimmy Olsen
Skyler Gisondo reprises his role as Jimmy Olsen, the ambitious young photographer from the Daily Planet. Gisondo first played the character in James Gunn’s 2025 Superman movie, where he worked alongside David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.
The series puts Jimmy Olsen in the spotlight, something that rarely happens in DC adaptations. Usually seen as Superman’s sidekick or comic relief, Olsen gets to lead his own investigation in this mockumentary format. Gisondo’s performance in the Superman movie convinced DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran that this character had more stories to tell.
Jimmy Tatro Takes on the Role of Gorilla Grodd
Jimmy Tatro joins the cast as Gorilla Grodd, the hyper-intelligent ape from Gorilla City who usually causes trouble for the Flash in the comics. Tatro is known for his comedy work, including his role in the first season of American Vandal alongside series creators Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault.
The casting of Tatro suggests the show will lean into comedy rather than playing Grodd as a straight villain. Given Tatro’s background in comedy and the mockumentary format, audiences can expect a humorous take on the character.
Full Cast List Includes Returning Superman Actors
Several actors from the 2025 Superman movie are returning for this series alongside Gisondo:
- Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard
- Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant
- Wendell Pierce as Perry White
The series also adds new cast members including Mary Holland, Eduardo Franco, Arian Moayed, Dan Perrault, Andrew Leeds, and Tim Baltz. Dan Perrault, who co-created the series, also appears as part of the cast.
American Vandal Creators Lead the Project
Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, the creators of the critically acclaimed Netflix mockumentary series American Vandal, serve as showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Yacenda will direct all eight episodes.
The duo has a strong track record with the mockumentary format. American Vandal won a Peabody Award for its first season and received an Emmy nomination for best writing for a comedy series. They also created the Paramount+ mockumentary series Players, which was set in the world of eSports.
Yacenda and Perrault previously spoofed the sports documentary genre with parodies of ESPN’s “30 for 30” series, covering events from Rocky IV and Angels in the Outfield for CollegeHumor.
DC Studios Heads Express Excitement
James Gunn and Peter Safran, the co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios, serve as executive producers on the series. They shared their thoughts on the project:
“Between Skyler’s wonderful performance and the fantastic chemistry of the Daily Planet cast, we knew coming out of Superman that this would be a fun world to explore. We’re excited to work with the brilliant Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda to take the audience down some of the darker and funnier streets and alleyways of the DCU as Jimmy spotlights the Metropolis criminal justice system for his docuseries.”
Amy Gravitt, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming and Head of HBO & HBO Max Comedy Series, also expressed enthusiasm:
“We are thrilled to be working with Tony and Dan, alongside James, Peter, the entire DC team and our colleagues at WBTV, to bring these iconic DCU characters to HBO Max in a new and unexpected way. We already know Skyler Gisondo is pitch-perfect as Jimmy Olsen and we can’t wait for fans to experience Jimmy Tatro’s captivating and hilarious portrayal of Grodd.”
Showrunners Promise a Unique Series
Yacenda and Perrault described their vision for the series in a statement:
“We’re excited by the challenge of creating a series that feels less like an entry into the DCU and more like an artifact from it. A Daily Planet original documentary made for the people of Metropolis. We hope it’ll appeal to fans of the comics, comedy and true crime. And while we can’t speak for audiences here yet, we already know it’s a huge hit in Metropolis. They love this series.”
The showrunners also included a playful quote from Wendell Pierce‘s character Perry White in a mock Daily Planet press release:
“Everyone thinks they know Grodd: the power-hungry gorilla who killed his father for the throne of Gorilla City. But once you start to look beneath the fur, you start to realize there’s a lot more to that primate.”
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Release Date and Streaming Information
As of August 2026, The People v. Gorilla Grodd does not have an official premiere date. The series is still in development, and production has not yet begun. When the show does arrive, viewers can expect eight half-hour episodes.
The series will stream exclusively on HBO Max in the United States. International release details have not been announced yet. Given that the series comes from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television, it will likely follow similar distribution patterns to other HBO Max DC series.
The People v. Gorilla Grodd joins HBO Max’s DC lineup, which currently includes Lanterns and Peacemaker. Lanterns premiered on August 16, 2026, to positive reviews and strong viewership. The new series takes a lighter comedic tone compared to the darker Lanterns.
The series is produced by DC Studios in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Also Read: James Gunn Praises Gorilla Grodd as The Flash Villain’s Big DCU Debut Gets Closer: What We Know
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