Amidst all the buzz around “Game of Thrones” over the weekend, you’d be forgiven if you didn’t know “Silicon Valley” and “Veep” also made their season premieres Sunday night. Well, apparently enough people watched both returns for HBO’s liking, as both were just renewed for third and fifth seasons, respectively.
The renewal news come via HBO in a press release, where HBO’s president of programming notes he’s “immensely proud that they will return to HBO next year.” But it’s not all sunshine and lollipops for the Julia Louis-Dreyfus-lead sitcom, because The Hollywood Reporter reported over the weekend how “Veep” showrunner, Armando Iannucci, will not return for this newly-announced season. There’s apparently no ill-will or bickering, but rather “The Thick of It” creator wants to spend more time with his family in his U.K. origins, and this American show has restricted him from such activities.
Taking over for Iannucci’s position is “Seinfeld“/”Curb Your Enthusiasm” scribe David Mendel, who clearly has an established working relationship with the lead actress. As Mendel takes over creative decisions on the show, Iannucci apparently works with the British Film Institute on a new comedy about the death of Stalin.
“We have had conversations with Armando for some time about the challenges of maintaining his family life in London and producing a show in the states,” an HBO rep told THR in a statement. “Armando is not replaceable but we are confident that “Veep” will continue to be produced at the highest levels with new showrunner David Mandel.”
Oddly enough, the renewal press release makes no mention of Iannucci’s upcoming absence, and still credits him as the showrunner for the show. These are not the only shows HBO has renewed of late, as they continued John Oliver‘s “Last Week Tonight” and “Game of Thrones” through 2016 as well.
