HBO Max launches 'Rush', ER series that keeps viewers on edge, twist

**HBO Max Unveils Paris‑Based Medical Drama ‘Rush’ at La Rochelle Festival**

The HBO Max banner lit up the stage at this year’s La Rochelle Fiction Festival when the streaming giant introduced its next French‑language original, “Rush.” The show follows a tight group of mobile medical teams operating across Paris, from street corners to metro cars, private homes and iconic landmarks.

Every call becomes a race against time, where personal battles collide with life‑saving decisions.

“Rush” is the product of creator Nils‑Antoine Sambuc, known for *Belphégor* and *In Treatment FR*, and co‑writers Gaëlle Bellan, Maya Haffar and Maxime Crupeaux. Executive producer Neal Baer—formerly of *ER*—oversees the series.

The show echoes the tone of HBO’s Emmy‑winning *The Pitt*, which won two awards Monday night, including another for lead Noah Wyle, and is set for a third season.

Earlier this year, Sarah Aubrey, HBO Max’s content boss, revealed the studio’s strategy to replicate *The Pitt*’s global success. She said the network wanted “to replicate the success of Emmy‑winner The Pitt around the world,” with France among the first destinations.

In March she added that production was underway for similar medical dramas in France and Italy, though nothing yet has been announced for the Italian version.

## Background & Context The decision to launch a Paris‑set medical drama reflects HBO Max’s long‑standing commitment to local storytelling. France has long been a crucial territory outside the U.S., and the company has commissioned French originals for years.

The launch of *Privilèges* and *Paolo* earlier this year paved the way for “Rush” and its companion thriller, “Bodycam.”

“Rush” shares thematic DNA with *The Pitt*, but its setting in Paris allows for fresh visual storytelling—from the bustle of Gare du Nord to the quiet corners of Montmartre. The series is structured around a core ensemble of mobile teams, each episode featuring new medical crises that test both skill and character.

The announcement also included “Bodycam,” a thriller/horror concept that follows two beat cops who shoot an unarmed teenager and then try to cover it up after the teen takes one of their body‑cams. The plot escalates as the police force faces a string of mysterious attacks, culminating in a missing officer.

The creators are Timothée Hochet, Benjamin Adam, Mehdi Ouahab, Hélène Faure and Maxime Berthémy.

## What People Are Saying At the festival, Clémentine Bobin, Director of Original Scripted Production for HBO Max France, emphasized the studio’s creative philosophy.

“Our slate of local series is built around a simple belief, stemming from the deep HBO legacy: the most compelling stories offer bold takes on familiar narratives and genres, take risks, champion strong voices, and offer a distinctive perspective on the world,” she said.

Bobin added that after launching *Privilèges* and *Paolo*, “Rush and Bodycam continue to build on that ambition.” She noted each show has a “strong creative vision” and that the familiar genre framework acts as a toolbox for telling unique, engaging, and deeply contemporary stories.

Sarah Aubrey echoed this sentiment at Series Mania, explaining the model behind the new French series.

“To me that’s the model to emulate: Take a genre and a set of characters audiences feel very familiar with and want in their homes every week, and overlay that with a creator who is really excited to tell a specific story authentically,” she said. “Then you get something special that is also popular.”

## What Happens Next While “Rush” premiered at La Rochelle, no official release date has been announced yet. Production details remain under wraps, but the involvement of seasoned writers and an experienced executive producer suggests a polished rollout plan.

The Italian counterpart to the medical drama remains in an uncertain phase, with no updates from HBO Max since March. Industry observers note that the studio may be assessing audience reception to “Rush” before committing to a similar format overseas.

HBO Max’s French originals continue to receive positive buzz from festival critics, and the network has indicated it will push “Rush” into additional markets once its French launch is complete.

The upcoming seasons of *The Pitt* and the new French titles may signal a broader strategy of blending global genre appeal with localized storytelling.

As the industry watches, “Rush” promises to bring the urgency of emergency medicine to the heart of Paris, while “Bodycam” adds a darker edge to HBO Max’s expanding French catalog. The next few months will reveal how audiences respond to these bold new ventures.