The first episode was directed by Alexander Payne. Payne helps make "Hung" along with Lipkin, Burson, and Blueprint Entertainment. Lipkin and Burson’s script was the first big purchase by HBO's new owner Sue Naegle in April 2008. This move led the writers to immediately work on five more episodes for the series, a total of ten episodes. On December 18, 2008, it was said that HBO picked up the dark comedy. The show premiered on June 28, 2009.