HBO has released the official trailer, key art, and episode details for The Baby series, which debuts Sunday, April 24 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
The eight-episode limited series, from creators Siân Robins-Grace and Lucy Gaymer, is a horror comedy co-production with SKY and produced by SISTER and Proverbial Pictures.
The Baby series presents a darkly funny, raw examination of motherhood from the perspective of a woman who doesn’t want to be one. Michelle De Swarte (The Duchess) stars as 38-year-old Natasha, who is furious that her closest friends are all having babies.
But when she is unexpectedly landed with a baby of her own, her life dramatically implodes. Controlling and manipulative but incredibly cute, the baby twists Natasha’s life into a surreal horror show.
As she discovers the true extent of the baby’s deadly nature, Natasha makes increasingly desperate attempts to get rid of it. She doesn’t want a baby. But the baby definitely wants her.
The series also stars Amira Ghazalla (The Rhythm Section) as Mrs. Eaves, the 70-year-old enigma who has spent the last fifty years living out of her car and seems to be everywhere the Baby is, and Amber Grappy as Bobbi, Natasha’s younger sister, a children’s magician who would love nothing more than to be a parent, to give love and to receive it.
The additional cast members include Patrice Naiambana (SPECTRE) as Natasha’s father, Lyle, Sinéad Cusack (Marcella) as her mother, Barbara, Shvorne Marks (Endeavour) as Mags, and Isy Suttie (Peep Show) as Rita.
The cast is rounded out by Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education) as Helen, Seyan Sarvan (HBO Max’s It’s a Sin) as Nour, Karl Davies (The Tower) as Jack, and Divian Ladwa (Ant-Man and The Wasp) as Fooze.
The executive producers include Jane Featherstone, Carolyn Strauss, Naomi de Pear for SISTER, and Siân Robins-Grace and Nicole Kassell. The co-executive producer is Katie Carpenter, and the producer is Lucy Gaymer.
The series is directed by Nicole Kassell, Stacey Gregg, Faraz Shariat, and Ella Jones and written by Siân Robins-Grace, Susan Soon He Stanton, Kara Smith, Anchuli Felicia King, and Sophie Goodhart.
THE BABY SERIES EPISODES
Season 1, Episode 1: “Episode One”
Debuts: SUNDAY, APRIL 24 (10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT)
After yet another friend makes a surprise pregnancy announcement, a dejected Natasha (Michelle De Swarte) heads to a remote cabin to get her head straight – only to be confronted by exactly what she sought to get away from a baby.
Written by Siân Robins-Grace; Directed by Nicole Kassell
Season 1, Episode 2: “Episode Two”
Debuts: SUNDAY, MAY 1 (10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT)
Inexplicably reunited with the baby, Natasha (Michelle De Swarte) scrambles to locate his mother and uncovers an alarming pattern of events on a thumb drive. Later, after her friends confuse the situation further, Natasha reaches out to her estranged sister, Bobbi (Amber Grappy).
Written by Siân Robins-Grace; Directed by Stacey Gregg
Season 1, Episode 3: “Episode Three”
Debuts: SUNDAY, MAY 8 (10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT)
Despite Mrs. Eaves’ (Amira Ghazalia) shocking solution to her baby problem, Natasha (Michelle De Swarte) finds herself willing to do anything in exchange for her help – even if it’s the herculean task of nap time. Meanwhile, Bobbi (Amber Grappy) and her partner Sam (Gensis Lynea) prepare for an important meeting with their adoption social worker.
Written by Sophie Goodhart; Directed by Stacey Gregg
Season 1, Episode 4: “Episode Four”
Debuts: SUNDAY, MAY 15 (10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT)
With the baby now in Bobbi’s (Amber Grappy) hands, Natasha (Michelle De Swarte) must reunite with her mother, Barbara (Sinéad Cusack), whom she hasn’t seen in fifteen years. While Bobbi discovers an unmatched ability to put the child to sleep, Natasha confronts her family’s fractured history, and Barbara celebrates having children and grandchildren under the same roof.
Written by Susan Soon He Stanton; Directed by Faraz Shariat
Season 1, Episode 5: “Episode Five”
Debuts: SUNDAY, MAY 22 (10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT)
As Natasha (Michelle De Swarte) and Mrs. Eaves (Amira Ghazalia) remain trapped in Barbara’s (Sinéad Cusack) summer solstice ritual, the baby’s complicated origin, connection to Mrs. Eaves (Amira Ghazalia), and trauma-filled path to Natasha are revealed.
Written by Kara Smith; Directed by Faraz Shariat
Season 1, Episode 6: “Episode Six”
Debuts: SUNDAY, MAY 29 (10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT)
Desperate to leave the Jupiter House, Natasha (Michelle De Swarte), Bobbi (Amber Grappy), and Mrs. Eaves (Amira Ghazalia) find their plans thwarted by the chaos and destruction of the other suddenly possessed children. Later, Bobbi receives the social worker’s long-awaited call.
Written by Anchuli Felicia King; Directed by Faraz Shariat
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills to provide the latest news on streaming, movies, and TV shows. He previously created the websites ComingSoon, SuperHeroHype, and ShockTillYouDrop.