HBO Max celebrated its launch in Germany with a vibrant event in Berlin on January 16, 2024, coinciding with the world premiere of its new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The party took place at the Martin-Gropius-Bau, a modern art museum near Potsdamer Platz, showcasing an impressive blend of high culture and urban flair.
Guests were treated to a unique atmosphere that resembled an art exhibit. The venue featured display crates designed as interactive stations inspired by popular HBO Max titles. Highlights included a striking Superman-themed vodka luge and a replica emergency room from The Pitt, complete with the show’s recent Emmy Award for Best Drama Series, which had been shipped directly from New York for the occasion.
The event also included a makeup area where attendees could receive glamorous transformations from Doniella Davy, known for her work on Euphoria. Celebrity portraits were captured by renowned German fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth, enhancing the event’s star-studded appeal.
The celebration followed a red carpet event at the Zoo Palast theater, where the cast and crew of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms were in attendance. Notable figures included Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, and Bertie Carvel, alongside HBO executives such as Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, and JB Perrette, President and CEO of Global Streaming and Games.
As HBO Max expands its reach to over 100 countries, including Germany and Italy, the company aims to complete its European rollout with launches in the U.K. and Ireland set for March 2024. The Berlin crowd braved the cold weather to show their support, with the loudest cheers reserved for George R.R. Martin, the creator of Game of Thrones, who arrived wearing an elegant bowler hat.
The evening also showcased a whimsical side, particularly through the vibrant attire of Dexter Sol Ansell, who dazzled in a rainbow-colored suit designed by the same tailor who outfitted his father for The X Factor in 2004. Ansell expressed excitement about his role as Egg in the new series, noting the challenges of working alongside taller co-stars, including Claffey, who stands at nearly 6’6”.
Showrunner Ira Parker described the new series as a distinct departure from its predecessors, emphasizing its smaller, more grounded narrative. “We’re a little grittier, a little more of the earth,” Parker remarked, adding that humor, including occasional scatological jokes, is woven into the storytelling.
The festivities continued across the street with a public event celebrating the upcoming Harry Potter series. The historic Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was transformed into a magical setting, complete with cleverly disguised drones representing Dementors, captivating attendees eager for a taste of Hogwarts.
Amidst the excitement, a number of notable German celebrities, including Karoline Herfurth and Florence Kasumba, mingled with the HBO Max crowd, further enhancing the event’s allure. The night exemplified HBO Max’s ambitious entry into the German market, where enthusiasm for both Game of Thrones and Harry Potter remains exceptionally high.
