After more than a decade away, the beloved satirical comedy The Comeback is making its own comeback. HBO has confirmed a third and final season starring Lisa Kudrow, bringing Valerie Cherish’s hilarious and cringeworthy journey in Hollywood to a definitive close. The new season is currently in production and will arrive in 2026.
Fans of the cult classic were surprised with the announcement in June 2025, exactly twenty years after the show first premiered. The series co-creators, Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King, released a joint statement, saying, “Valerie Cherish has found her way back to the current television landscape. Neither of us are surprised she did.”
What is The Comeback About?
The Comeback is a mockumentary series that follows the life of Valerie Cherish, a fictional actress played by Lisa Kudrow. Valerie was once the star of a 1990s sitcom and is desperately trying to revive her career. The show documents her attempts to stay relevant, often with painfully funny results.
The first season, which aired in 2005, followed Valerie as a reality TV crew filmed her return to television as a supporting character on a new sitcom. The series was initially canceled after one season but gained a dedicated cult following. This led to a surprise second season in 2014, which saw Valerie pitching a reality show pilot and ending up playing a fictionalized version of herself in an HBO drama.
The Final Season’s Story and Teaser
While specific plot details for Season 3 are being kept secret, HBO released a teaser that gives fans a hint of what to expect. In the video, Lisa Kudrow is back in character as Valerie, who is promoting a new show.
Valerie tells her director, “This is the last one, all right? Last time. Never doing this again.” She then tries to feign excitement, saying, “Well, I’ve got a new show. How’s that? And I’m so excited about it,” but grows increasingly annoyed as the director asks for multiple takes. This glimpse suggests Valerie is once again navigating the frustrations of the entertainment industry.
Amy Gravitt, Executive Vice President of HBO & Max Comedy Programming, praised the character’s resilience: “No matter what the industry throws at her, Valerie Cherish is a survivor. On the 20th Anniversary of her debut, Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow have brilliantly scripted her return to HBO and we can’t wait to see that.”
Who is Returning for the Cast?
The main cast from the original series is set to return for this final season. Lisa Kudrow leads as the endlessly optimistic Valerie Cherish. She will be joined by:
- Dan Bucatinsky as Billy Stanton, Valerie’s publicist.
- Laura Silverman as Jane Benson, the producer of Valerie’s reality show.
- Damian Young as Mark Berman, Valerie’s husband.
The show will also welcome four new actors to the main cast. Tim Bagley and Matt Cook, who had minor roles in Season 2, are returning in larger capacities, though it is not yet confirmed if they are playing the same characters. They are joined by Jack O’Brien and Ella Stiller.
When and Where to Watch
The Comeback Season 3 does not have an exact premiere date yet, but it is scheduled to debut in 2026. It will air on HBO and be available to stream on Max at the same time. Filming began in the summer of 2025 in Los Angeles.
For those who need to catch up or relive the magic, the first two seasons of The Comeback are currently available to stream on Max.
Also Read: Chad Powers Season 1 Release Time: When and How to Watch on Hulu
