Joshua Jackson Promises 'Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll' in HBO Max Family Drama

Joshua Jackson says his new HBO Max series delivers "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll." The show is called "How to Survive Without Me," and Jackson offered the first details Thursday on the carpet at the Airbnb.org Gala in Los Angeles.

Husbands Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers co-created the series with Bash Doran. The story follows a large family six months after the death of its matriarch, Beverly. Rita Wilson will play Beverly as a series regular. Ray Romano plays her widower, Leo. Kaley Cuoco and Jackson play two of their children, Kate and Cooper.

"The show starts six months after the matriarch of this large family has passed away, and because she was the glue that held this family together, she writes a book for her children that they can only read when they're together," Jackson told Variety. "So from beyond the grave she reaches out to her five adult children and her husband to make sure that the family stays together."

Then came the caveat. "And then it's HBO, so it's sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll," Jackson said.

What does the role demand of Jackson?

The actor, now in his mid-forties, joked about keeping pace with the network's reputation. "I'm getting too old for this shit," Jackson cracked. "I gotta keep it together."

He gestured at his own endurance. "I hope this show's on for a couple of years, but if the pilot and the first couple of episodes are anything to judge by," he said, patting his stomach, "I gotta really stay on top of things."

The series marks another first: Jackson has colored his hair for the first time to look younger on screen. "This is how I know I'm getting old, for the first time, they're like, 'Hmm, I don't know,'" he said. "And from Greg [Berlanti], too! I've known him since I was literally a child. We were both kids."

The professional history runs deep. Jackson first worked with Berlanti on "Dawson's Creek" starting in 1998, almost 30 years ago.

Where did Jackson speak?

The venue was the Airbnb.org Gala, which honored the charitable arm of Airbnb. The organization provides free emergency housing during crises.

Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, traced the origin to a single act of hospitality. "Fourteen years ago, after Hurricane Sandy hit, one host opened her home to people who had nowhere else to go," Chesky said. "That simple act of generosity grew into Airbnb.org. Since then, we've helped provide more than 1.6 million nights of free housing to people in crisis. Now, every time someone books a home on Airbnb, they'll help someone else find a place to stay when they need it most. That's Airbnb at its best."

The gala carried no fundraising ask. Airbnb instead announced a further $500 million commitment to Airbnb.org. The idea began in 2012, when a host opened her home to people displaced by Hurricane Sandy; other hosts followed, and in 2020 the effort inspired Airbnb to found Airbnb.org as an independent nonprofit. Since then it has provided more than 1.6 million nights of free housing to more than 250,000 people worldwide.

Jimmy Kimmel hosted the evening. José Andrés designed the dinner. Charli xcx gave a surprise performance. The guest list included Charlize Theron, Cynthia Erivo, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Paul Bettany, Matthew McConaughey, Zoe Saldaña, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Greta Lee, Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Alba and many others.

Emily Bader, star of the upcoming "13 Going on 30" sequel, praised the model. "I think it's really cool that they're giving back to the community," Bader said. "It's not that difficult to give is what it's representing."

HBO Max has not announced a premiere date for "How to Survive Without Me," but Jackson's read on the early episodes suggests a shoot already underway and a run he intends to last.