HBO’s new eccentric comedy series, Fantasmas, is set to launch this summer, with six episodes confirmed for the first season. From the imagination of Julio Torres (Los Espookies, Problemista), he invites viewers to join comedic adventure that blurs boundaries between dreamscapes and reality.
While details for the upcoming show are still limited, the HBO press release announced the show will follow Torres on “fantastical six-part tale” searching for his gold oyster earring. The official logline continues that while “in his search to find the precious object, Julio reflects on the offbeat characters he encounters in [an] introspective, often eerie, and always comedic vignettes set in a dreamy, alternate version of New York City.”
Viewers familiar with Torres’ work should expect Fantasmas to carry his signature aesthetic, as seen in HBO’s teaser trailer. In previous mxdwn article, Torres commented on the “surreal aesthetics and alt-universe setting” within Los Espookies, saying that “the art department did an incredible job at training the viewer’s eye to be like ‘this is artifice in their world, and this is real.” Torres is bringing his experience as a creative on Los Espookies to the vibe of Fantasmas, with HBO commenting that the show is “a kaleidoscope of color and surrealism, [weaving] together stories of people looking for meaning, purpose, and connection in an increasingly isolating world.”
Additionally, Torres is credited with creating, writing, directing, executive producing and starring in Fantasmas. Joining the cast alongside Torres is visual artist Martine Gutierrez (Rotting in the Sun, Problemista) as Vanesja, Joe Rumril (The Everything Now Show, The Calling) as Bibo’s voice and Tomas Matos (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Fire Island) via HBO.
According to the press release, guest stars will include Emma Stone (Poor Things, La La Land), Julia Fox (No Sudden Moves, Uncut Gems), Paul Dano (The Batman, Little Miss Sunshine), Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs, Fargo), Alexa Demie (Euphoria, Waves), Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live, Shrill), Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live, Fire Island), Ziwe (Dickinson, ZIWE), singer Kim Petras (Kim Petras: I Don’t Want It All, Sam Smith & Kim Petras: Unholy) and many more.
Fantasmas will premiere on Friday, June 7th at 11:00 p.m. ET on HBO and stream on Max.