Four episodes in, Rooster has made its core deal clear: Greg Russo is not just doing a drive-by dad check-in—he’s getting absorbed by Ludlow’s weird little ecosystem, where every personal crisis becomes campus business. Episode 3 locked him into the faculty lane, and Episode 4 doubled down on the show’s preferred texture: Greg dodging the performative school-social stuff to throw himself into helping a student, while Katie comes out the other side of her suspension and starts testing what moving forward even looks like in the same hallways where the mess started.
Episode 5 is the first time the show widens the circle again. It is not just Greg and Katie reacting to the fallout—new people and old patterns show up at the exact moment the campus starts feeling like home, which is when it gets dangerous.
As for when to stream it: Episode 5 premieres Sunday, April 5, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, and it will be available to stream at the same time on HBO Max.
Rooster notes: Episode 5
Episode 5 is titled Mr. Razzles. The early synopsis tees up a very Greg problem: his ex-wife arrives on campus for a dedication ceremony, and the visit pulls him toward the version of himself he is always pretending he has outgrown. At the same time, Katie reconnects with Archie, and Dylan keeps settling into a new role that is starting to fit a little too well.
Rooster FAQ
What is Rooster about?
It’s an HBO comedy set on a college campus, centered on an author and his complicated relationship with his daughter. Steve Carell plays the author, Greg Russo, and Charly Clive plays his daughter, Katie.
When does episode 5 air?
It premieres on HBO on Sunday, April 5, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, and it will stream the same night on HBO Max.
How many episodes are there?
Season 1 has 10 episodes. HBO says new episodes will roll out weekly on Sundays through May 10.
Who’s starring?
The official cast list includes Steve Carell, Charly Clive, Danielle Deadwyler, Phil Dunster, John C. McGinley, and Lauren Tsai. Additional reporting has also linked Connie Britton to the ensemble.
