HBO's Westworld release date: Nolan brother's long-gestating project finally on the way

A few other new shows are premiering too

For a while, it seemed as if we wouldn't be seeing new fantasy series Westworld at all; production was halted in January, the series seeming fated to slip into some form of development hell.

Thankfully, new HBO programming president Casey Bloys - who was appointed following Michael Lombardo's departure last week - has wasted no time in making his mark - Westworld will premiere this Autumn.

The series. based on Michael Crichton's 1973 film, has an all-star cast comprised of Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton and Jeffrey Wright. A western sci-fi tale about the dawn of artificial intelligence, Westworld looks set to fill the fantasy void for Game of Thrones fans awaiting season seven.

JJ Abrams is executive producing alongside Jerry Weintraub and Bryan Burk while Jonathan Nolan - whose current series Person of Interest is drawing to a close - serves as chief writer and director.

HBO has also announced a slew of new comedies including Insecure, High Maintenance and Divorce, the latter of which reunites Sex and the City actor Sarah Jessica Parker with the network.

None of the shows have set premiere dates but it's a relief to know we'll be seeing Westworld in 2016 after all.