High Maintenance: Stoner Stories from New York - Series

High Maintenance is not a classic stoner series – but an artful trip through urban life with weed. Each episode tells a new story about people in New York, connected by a nameless weed supplier. The series shines with subtle humor, social sensitivity and an authentic look at modern city life. Back to overview: Top stoner series.

High Maintenance: Stoner stories from New York
Die besten Serien für Kiffer

A man, a bicycle and lots of weed: the nameless dealer in “High Maintenance” delivers weed to various people in NYC – and each time a new world opens up. The series is poetic, funny and sometimes sad. It shows that smoking weed is not just a cliché, but part of the reality of modern life.

5 facts about the HBO series

Launch as a web series: 2012 on Vimeo
TV version from 2016 on HBO
Inventor & main actor: Ben Sinclair
Each episode tells its own mini-story
Mix of humor, drama & social criticism

Trailer: One dealer, many stories & lots of weed

High Maintenance is not just about smoking weed. The series shows the realities of different people’s lives in a wide variety of facets. Whether lonely artists, polyamorous couples or stressed mothers – “The Guy” (as the dealer is called) gets everywhere.

What is High Maintenance like? Evaluation
Here is our rating for High Maintenance:

Humor ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cult ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Leading actor: The dealer without a name

Häufig von anderen gelesen

“The Guy” is the central theme – a relaxed guy on a bike who delivers, listens and observes. But the main role always belongs to the people he meets. That’s what makes the series unique.

Ben Sinclair as “The Guy”
Numerous guest roles per episode
Every episode = new perspective

Ben Sinclair as dealer “The Guy”

He seems unassuming, friendly and wise. Always ready for a joint, a cup of tea or a chat. His calm demeanor makes him the perfect companion through New York’s stoner cosmos.

Co-editor of the series
Plays without great pathos – but real

“The Guy” is full of personal elements

For his role, Ben Sinclair went far beyond mere acting. He researched intensively, delved deep into the world of cannabis life and added many personal experiences to the character.

Behind the scenes with the main cast: how the grand finale is created

Ben Sinclair gives exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into how the epic season finale of High Maintenance is brought to life. From the set to the final days of filming. He lets us in on the magic that makes the series so unique.

Why is The Guy so special?

He never judges, but listens. He knows the city better than any cab driver – not because he talks, but because he observes. A modern-day stoner on two wheels.

Weed as access to society
Not a hero’s journey – but portraits of people

What makes the series so different?

High Maintenance breaks with the classic sitcom format. No fixed supporting characters, no studio laughs – but real emotions, queer realities of life, everyday chaos and lots of quiet moments. The series thrives on diversity and sensitivity.

Every episode a microcosm

Each episode stands on its own. You can jump in anywhere – and always get a little life story in which weed plays a supporting role, but is never unimportant.

Ideal for binge or in between
Intelligent, charming, modern

New York as the leading actor

In addition to the “Guy”, the city itself is a star. From Bushwick to Manhattan – every corner is given space. A feast for fans of urban atmosphere.

Real NYC vibes
Diversity instead of clichés

Similar series for stoners with depth

If you like High Maintenance, these shows might be your thing too:

Weeds: Suburban mom deals weed

A suburban mother becomes a dealer – blackly humorous, exciting and full of taboo-breaking. Weeds is a classic with a bite. Weeds tells a continuous story with a classic story arc, while High Maintenance is structured episodically – each episode sheds light on new characters and worlds surrounding weed, more subtle and often more profound.

Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin
8 seasons full of weed and madness
About the series: Weeds

Family Business: Weed instead of butchery

French humor meets start-up vibes in the series Family Business. A family rebuilds their lives – with cannabis instead of roast veal. Family Business is a crazy family comedy with lots of speed and slapstick – High Maintenance, on the other hand, is quieter, more urban and focuses on quiet, human stories in the shadow of the joint.