Plot Synopsis

Created and executive produced by Armando Iannucci, AVENUE 5 is a half-hour comedy series set 40 years in the future, when the solar system is a booming, multibillion-dollar business. Ryan Clark is the confident and suave captain of Avenue 5, a space cruise ship with luxury amenities like gourmet buffets, a spa, an observation deck and yoga classes. As the series begins, Avenue 5's eight-week journey around Saturn is underway and its systems are optimal. But when the ship suddenly encounters technical difficulties, it's up to Ryan and his crew to calm the disgruntled passengers and find a way to deal with unexpected events onboard -- though they may or may not be equipped for the task. Season 1 episodes include:

"I Was Flying" (Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT): When a malfunction occurs aboard the luxury space cruise ship Avenue 5, it's up to engineer Billie McEvoy to warn Captain Ryan Clark, Avenue 5 owner Herman Judd and his right-hand-woman Iris Kimura that the incident may have a cataclysmic knock-on effect. As Rav Mulcair manages the situation from mission control back on Earth, Matt Spencer, the head of customer relations, tries his best to calm frayed nerves on board, and persistent passenger Karen Kelly discovers the crew may know more than they're letting on. Story by Armando Iannucci; teleplay by Armando Iannucci & Simon Blackwell & Tony Roche; directed by Armando Iannucci.

"And Then He's Gonna Shoot Off..." (Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT): As Rav and her team meet with a NASA representative to plot a potential rescue mission, Ryan learns that Cyrus an engineer working in a hidden part of the ship, has a surprisingly optimistic theory about the ship's future. Judd donates a lavish personal item to help commemorate a fallen crew member. Karen becomes a vocal advocate for passengers. Mia and Doug receive marital counseling from Matt. Story by Armando Iannucci & Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith; teleplay by Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith; directed by Natalie Bailey.

"I'm a Hand Model" (Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT): With Avenue 5 staff slacking in their customer service, Ryan offers Karen the opportunity to channel her unique talent for speaking the passengers' language. Judd outlines the plan for a rescue mission and tasks Iris with organizing a vigil on Earth to raise the money to fund it. Rav endures a barrage of messages from the ship and handles an unruly press conference. Story by Armando Iannucci & Peter Fellows & Ian Martin; teleplay by Peter Fellows & Ian Martin; directed by Natalie Bailey

"Wait A Minute, Then Who Was That On The Ladder?" (Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT): With Judd worried about his reputation, Iris arranges a meet-and-greet with several passengers in his luxury suite. Frustrated by a bridge crew with no answers, Ryan and Billie bond with the engineers below deck. Matt encourages Frank to become the man he always wanted to be. Story by Armando Iannucci & Peter Fellows & Ian Martin; teleplay by Peter Fellows & Ian Martin; directed by Natalie Bailey.

"He's Only There to Stop His Skeleton from Falling Over" (Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT): Billie seeks her moment in the limelight after stepping in to help Ryan during the ship's newest crisis. Iris vets comedian Jordan Hatwal's material for the Halfway Home Party, which Judd has decided should go on as planned. Doug tries to get in the way of Mia's (Jessica St. Clair) newfound sexual freedom. Story by Armando Iannucci & Peter Baynham; teleplay by Peter Baynham; directed by Annie Griffin.

"Was It Your Ears?" (Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT): As Avenue 5 celebrates the birth of a space baby, Ryan and Billie try to identify the source of an incessant beeping, and Judd shares his latest grand idea at Karen's passenger-crew liaison meeting. In the nation's capital, Rav appeals to the President for rescue funds but, in exchange, is faced with an ethical dilemma. Story by Armando Iannucci & Jon Brown; teleplay by Jon Brown; directed by Peter Fellows.

"Are You a Spider, Matt?" (Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT): Judd enlists Ryan to help charm Harrison Aimes, an uber-wealthy passenger who has a strange effect on Judd. Meanwhile, the passengers become transfixed by a divine image circling the ship and Rav deals with the fallout when the ship's moral quandary hits the media. Story by Armando Iannucci & Charlie Cooper & Daisy Cooper; teleplay by Charlie Cooper & Daisy Cooper; directed by Becky Martin.

"This Is Physically Hurting Me" (Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT): While Karen oversees an effort to jettison non-essential passenger items, Billie tries to teach an inattentive Ryan how to dock the ship. Matt learns of Judd's plan to make the "ultimate sacrifice" by returning to Earth. Meanwhile, the passengers suspect all is not as it seems with the journey. Story by Armando Iannucci & Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith; teleplay by Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith; directed by David Schneider.

"Eight Arms But No Hands" (Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT): A search party commences for Matt, who's in hiding with a guilty conscience -- and the airlock codes. Iris questions Karen about her rumored affair with Ryan. Rav seeks an apology from Judd for ruining her life, as chaos ensues when a seat on a rescue shuttle suddenly becomes available. Story by Armando Iannucci & Sean Gray and Ian Martin & Peter Fellows; teleplay by Ian Martin & Peter Fellows and Sean Gray; directed by Will Stefan Smith
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The sophomore season of AVENUE 5 premiered on Monday, October 10, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT on HBO. Picking up five months after failing to reroute the vessel, Season 2 follows the crew -- including fiery engineer Billie, unpredictable head of customer relations Matt, and faithful right-hand Iris -- as they struggle to lead, calm, control, and, if need be, hide from increasingly unruly passengers. On Earth, they're lauded as heroes, and in space, everyone can hear them scream. Guest stars for the new season are: Andy Buckley, Jessica St. Clair, Kyle Bornheimer, Adam Palsson, Daisy May Cooper, Lucy Punch, Leila Farzad, Jonathan Aris and Arsher Ali. Season 2 episodes include:

"No One Wants an Argument About Reality" (Monday, October 10, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT): After five long months, the passengers of Avenue 5 eagerly await their impending return to Earth -- while behind the scenes, Ryan and the crew struggle to find a way to reveal the much longer timeline of their journey home. Later, a disgraced Karen comes to blows with a newly famous Frank.

"What an Unseasonal Delight" (Monday, October 17, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT): With the ship facing a fiery threat, Billie hatches a plan that could just save some of the passengers...and the eels. Meanwhile, Iris makes a risky bid on Earth, Ryan finds himself in the middle of a three-way couples' quarrel, and Mia shares some shocking news with Doug.

"Is It a Good Dot?" (Monday, October 24, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT): When the ship crosses paths with a rogue space station, Ryan and the crew jump at the opportunity to socialize, while Billie angles for help with Avenue 5's mounting eel problem. Then, after Rav discovers the true purpose of Storm Falcon's mission, Ryan must steer his team through a difficult moral quandary.

"How It Ends: As a Starter and a Main" (Monday, October 31, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT): Now stuck with an unsavory stowaway, Ryan and Billie lock down the ship -- with potentially dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, Iris and Judd attempt to blackmail Lucas, Karen claws her way back to the top, and Frank fends off an attack.

"Let's Play with Matches" (Monday, November 7, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT): After a failed revolt, the passengers put the ship's leadership to a vote, bringing forth a pack of unlikely candidates. Meanwhile, back on Earth, the Office of the Other President proposes a plan that could spell doom for Avenue 5.

"Intoxicating Clarity" (Monday, November 14, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT): With a "new" leader at the helm, life on deck reaches a semi-status quo -- until the discovery of a mysterious blip and dissident uprising threaten to upend the passenger's tenuous peace. Later, life imitates art as the shocking conclusion of TV's Avenue 5 puts those aboard the real ship in peril.

"I Love Judging People" (Monday, November 21, 2022 at 10:30pm ET/PT): The crew turns to a Judd-designed ranking algorithm to deal with their latest threat. As Ryan's rating mysteriously tanks, Billie searches for her more worthy counterpart, and Judd attempts to make amends with an estranged Iris.

"That's Why They Call It a Missile" (Monday, November 28, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT): With the ship divided, both sides find themselves in an all-out fight to survive. Then, Ryan takes part in a shotgun wedding, and Rav reaches a personal breakthrough.