You probably think you know what a Jodie Comer series looks like by now. High stakes, sharp clothes, maybe a little light international assassination. But the Big Swiss television show is shaping up to be something way weirder, and honestly, a lot more uncomfortable than anything we saw in Killing Eve.
The buzz around this HBO project has been simmering since 2022, but as we move through 2026, the details are finally solidifying. It’s not just another prestige drama; it’s a story about a woman who transcribes sex therapy sessions and becomes hopelessly, dangerously obsessed with a patient. It's awkward. It's voyeuristic. And if you’ve read Jen Beagin’s source material, you know it’s deeply, hilariously dark.
The Big Swiss Television Show: What’s the Real Story?
At its core, the show follows Greta, a woman living in a drafty, bee-infested old house in Hudson, New York. She lands a job transcribing audio for a sex therapist who goes by the name "Om."
Basically, Greta spends her days eavesdropping on the most intimate, embarrassing, and raw moments of strangers' lives.
Then she hears "Big Swiss."
That’s the nickname Greta gives to Flavia (played by Comer), a tall, stoic Swiss woman who seems completely detached from her own trauma. While most of the patients are sobbing about their pasts, Big Swiss is... well, she's different. Greta becomes so infatuated with Flavia’s voice and her "aura the size of a barge" that she starts stalking her in real life.
It’s a "meet-cute" born out of a massive privacy violation. When they finally meet at a dog park, Greta doesn't tell Flavia she’s been listening to her talk about her sex life for weeks. She uses a fake name. They start a relationship. You can see where this is going—it’s a ticking time bomb of a premise.
Why the A24 and Adam McKay Pairing Matters
This isn't just a random HBO pick-up. The production pedigree here is actually insane. You’ve got A24—the studio that basically owns the "elevated weird" genre—teaming up with Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries.
McKay, the guy behind Succession and The Big Short, has a specific knack for finding the comedy in systems that are fundamentally broken. Combine that with A24’s visual style, and the Big Swiss television show is likely to feel less like a standard rom-com and more like a fever dream.
Reports from late 2025 indicated that filming was centered around Hudson, NY, to capture that specific, chilly, upstate vibe described in the book. If they get the setting right, the house itself—uninsulated and literally buzzing with bees—will be a character in its own right.
What Most People Get Wrong About Jodie Comer’s Role
There’s a common misconception that Jodie Comer is playing the "spy" or the "lead" in the traditional sense. In reality, while she is the titular "Big Swiss," the story is anchored by Greta.
Flavia (Big Swiss) is the object of the gaze. She’s the mystery.
Comer’s challenge here is playing someone who is described as having "the penetrating, cult-leader variety" of eyes. It’s a role that requires a lot of silence and presence, which is a massive pivot from the high-energy, accent-shifting performance of Villanelle.
The "Anti-Trauma" Angle
One thing that makes this story stand out—and something the TV adaptation is leaning into—is how it handles mental health.
Most modern shows are "trauma porn." They want to dig into the wound and stay there.
But Big Swiss (the character) refuses to be defined by what happened to her. She’s almost aggressively fine. This creates a fascinating friction with Greta, who is still very much haunted by her own history. The show explores whether you can actually choose to just... not be traumatized anymore. Or if that’s just another form of dissociation.
Production Hurdles and the 2026 Timeline
Let’s be real: this show has been in development hell for a minute.
It was announced years ago, and for a while, fans were worried it had quietly died. But with the production list updates showing active shooting through the end of 2025 and into early 2026, the engine is finally running.
The delay actually worked in the show's favor. Jen Beagin’s book had time to become a cult hit, building a built-in audience that is hungry for a faithful, gritty adaptation. HBO has reportedly treated this as a "limited series," which usually means they aren't looking to stretch it out for five seasons. They want to tell one tight, explosive story and get out.
What to Expect Next
If you’re looking for a release date, all signs point to a late 2026 premiere. HBO usually likes to slot these prestige A24-collabs in the autumn window to catch the awards cycle.
If you want to be ready for the Big Swiss television show, here is your "to-do" list:
- Read the book by Jen Beagin first. The show will inevitably change things, and the prose in the novel is so unique that it’s worth experiencing before the TV visuals take over your imagination.
- Don't expect a hero. Every character in this story is flawed. Greta is a literal stalker. Flavia is emotionally distant. Om is a bit of a hack. If you go in looking for someone to root for, you might be disappointed. Go in looking for the mess.
- Watch for the supporting cast announcements. While Comer is the big name, the chemistry between Greta and Sabine (her roommate) is the heart of the home life in the story.
The Big Swiss television show isn't going to be "safe" TV. It’s going to be the kind of show people argue about on social media because of its "problematic" protagonist and its weird, dark humor. But honestly? That’s exactly why it’s worth watching. It’s refreshing to see HBO take a swing on something this specific and strange.
Keep an eye on official HBO Max (or "Max") trailers dropping in the coming months. The first teaser will likely focus on the audio-transcription gimmick—expect a lot of close-ups of headphones and the sound of Flavia's voice. That’s where the obsession starts, and that’s where the show will win or lose its audience.