‘Game Of Thrones,’ 'Veep' Returning April 12 #TCA15

Pasadena--HBO will return its hit drama series Game Of Thrones for a fifth season April 12, the network announced during its Television Critics Association press tour presentation Thursday.

Game Of Thrones will be joined by season two of dramedy Silicon Valley, and the fourth  season of the Emmy-winning comedy Veep, said network officials.

The network also announced it will return talk show Real Time With Bill Maher for a 14th and 15th season. HBO will also premiere on Feb. 8 Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst and on May 4 Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief and Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, said network officials. Other projects include Night Will Fall (Jan. 26); Rosie O'Donnell: A Heartfelt Stand Up (Feb. 14); It's Me. Hilary: The man Who Drew Eloise (March 23); Living with Lincoln (April 13); Tales Of The Grim Sleeper (April 27); Southern Rites (May 18); and The Lion's Mouth Opens (May 25).

On the original movie front, the network has tapped actress/performer Queen Latifah to star in Bessie, which chronicles the iconic blues singer Bessie Smith. The film, director by Dee Rees (Pariah) will debut this Spring, according to HBO. The network will also air the Edward Snowden documentary film CitizenFour on Feb. 23.

Finally, HBO will produce a special featuring comedian Tig Notaro.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.