High Maintenance (2016)
An intimate, anthology-style HBO comedy that finds unexpected humanity in the lives of New York City's most colorful cannabis customers.
High Maintenance - Series Information
- Original Title: High Maintenance
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: Katja Blichfeld, Ben Sinclair
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 34
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 16, 2016 (United States - TV-MA), September 16, 2016 (Brazil - 16), September 16, 2016 (Mexico - C)
- Networks: HBO
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: 纽约草王 (CN)
High Maintenance - Plot
Jump into the daily routines of a diverse group of New Yorkers and how they light things up. "The Guy" is a nameless pot deliveryman whose client base includes an eccentric group of characters with neuroses as diverse as the city.
High Maintenance - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a feel for the show's warm, wandering New York spirit:
Stay green.
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High Maintenance - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Katja Blichfeld
- Ben Sinclair
Main Cast
- Katja Blichfeld
- Ben Sinclair
- Kathryn Boswell
- Greta Lee
- Jack Ferver
- Jason Sol
- Cavan Rogers
- Bob the Drag Queen
- Neimah Djourabchi
- Andy Taylor
Writers
- Ben Sinclair
- Katja Blichfeld
- Rebecca Drysdale
- Mel Shimkovitz
- Paul Thureen
Executive Producers
- Katja Blichfeld
- Ben Sinclair
- Russell Gregory
High Maintenance - FAQs
Did High Maintenance start as a web series?
Yes — before landing on HBO, High Maintenance began as an independent web series on Vimeo in 2012, created by Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair. The couple self-financed the early episodes, building a devoted following that eventually caught HBO's attention and led to a full television pickup in 2016.
Is High Maintenance worth watching?
Absolutely. High Maintenance earned widespread critical praise for its warmth, originality, and quietly profound character sketches. Its anthology format means each episode feels like a short film, and the cumulative effect is a deeply humane portrait of city life. It's one of HBO's most underrated gems.
Where can you stream High Maintenance?
High Maintenance is available to stream on HBO Max and through the HBO Max Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own episodes, they can be purchased on Amazon Video and Google Play Movies. Availability may vary depending on your region.
Who plays The Guy in High Maintenance?
Ben Sinclair plays The Guy, the unnamed cannabis deliveryman at the heart of the series. Sinclair also co-created the show alongside his then-wife Katja Blichfeld, who appears as a recurring character named Schrijver. Their real-life dynamic infuses the series with an authentic, lived-in chemistry.
Why does The Guy have no name in High Maintenance?
The Guy's anonymity is a deliberate creative choice by creators Blichfeld and Sinclair. By keeping him nameless, the show positions him as a neutral, almost mythic figure — a catalyst who passes through other people's lives without dominating them. The real stories belong to his clients, not to him.
How was High Maintenance received by critics?
The series earned strong reviews throughout its run, with critics consistently praising its empathetic writing, inventive structure, and the way it captured New York's social texture. Reviewers highlighted its ability to find genuine emotional depth in brief, seemingly mundane vignettes about ordinary people.
Why did High Maintenance end after four seasons?
HBO cancelled High Maintenance in 2020 after four seasons, with the decision coming during a broader round of programming cuts. Creators Blichfeld and Sinclair had also divorced during the show's run, which added personal complexity to the collaboration. The series concluded with 34 episodes across its HBO run.
What shows are similar to High Maintenance?
If you enjoyed High Maintenance, Broad City and Master of None share its sharp New York sensibility and affection for everyday oddity. Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld offer a more comedic take on city life, while Disjointed explores cannabis culture from a different but equally playful angle.
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