EXCLUSIVE: HBO is developing Blackout Room, a high-concept mystery thriller drama executive produced by The Last of Us co-creator, executive producer and showrunner Craig Mazin.
Written and executive produced by Nine Days filmmaker Edson Oda, who is also set to direct, Blackout Room takes place In a near future where every single moment of everyone’s life is streamed 24/7 to the rest of the world. One woman becomes the object of global obsession when her son somehow disappears without a trace.
Also executive producing are Jacqueline Lesko and Cecil O’Connor of Mazin’s Word Games.
As he continues to shepherd acclaimed post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us — now as the sole showrunner following the recent departure of co-creator/executive producer Neil Druckmann — Mazin also has been building a development slate under his HBO overall deal.
In addition to Blackout Room, Mazin, along with Lesko and O’Connor, executive produces another series project from a filmmaker, Celine Song’s Damage, which is in the works at HBO. It is set in the world of competitive E-Sports.
Oda is known for writing and directing Nine Days in his feature debut. It premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, with Oda winning the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. Nine Days, starring Winston Duke, also was nominated for Best First feature at the 2021 Independent Spirit Awards, with Benedict Wong nominated for Best Supporting Male.
The Last of Us, whose recent second season landed 16 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, has been renewed for a third season.