'Veep' season 5 news: Series renewed despite Armando Iannucci's departure

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After all the waiting for the series renewal confirmation, HBO finally revealed that "Veep" will return for season 5. The announcement about the show's return alongside the second season order for "Silicon Valley" was made by HBO president Michale Lombardo on Monday. 

"VEEP and SILICON VALLEY are terrific series, and I'm immensely proud that they will return to HBO next year," Lombardo said. "Along with 'Game of Thrones' and 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,' both of which have already been renewed for 2016, they give HBO a stellar Sunday night like no other." 

However, the upcoming fifth season of the hit political satire might undergo a major overhaul, after series creator Armando Iannucci announced that he will be leaving the show after its current fourth season. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news about Iannucci's decision to leave "Veep" last week after talking with a representative from HBO. 

"We have had conversations with Armando for some time about the challenges of maintaining his family life in London and producing a show in the states," the HBO rep shared. "Armando is not replaceable but we are confident that Veep will continue to be produced at the highest levels with new showrunner David Mandel. David has worked with HBO for many years as executive producer, writer and director for Curb Your Enthusiasm." 

HBO's original comedy series managed to receive praises from critics and earned several major awards since its release in 2012, including the TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. 

The cast is led by actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and two Critics' Choice Television Awards for her role as former Maryland senator and current U.S. president Selina Meyer. She is joined by Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer, Matt Walsh as Mike McLintock, Tony Hale as Gary Walsh, Sam Richardson as Richard Splett, and Gary Cole as Kent Davison, among others. 

The current "Veep" season 4 premiered on April 12, alongside HBO's epic hit "Game of Thrones."