HBOs puzzle-filled robot show that always packed extra sides of hedonism and murder is close to making its return, as fans apparently dug up a teaser trailer for season four of Westworld before its scheduled debut.

HBO media relations director Chris Godefroy confirmed it was an Easter Egg set up for dedicated fans, and as weve seen ahead of previous seasons, there will be more to come. You can watch it right here on HBOs YouTube channel (via Reddit), to see that many of our android friends, foes, and friends who didnt know they were androids will continue to have roles to play. This link showed up on Thrillists Instagram story over a picture of NYC, teasing a setting in the upcoming season.

On Tuesday HBO made the news official, confirming returning cast members Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Luke Hemsworth, Aaron Paul, and Angela Sarafyan. It also mentioned new recurring guest star Ariana DeBose, who recently won an Oscar for her performance in West Side Story.

Id go more into the potential plot lines revealed in the flashes and scenes, but even after sticking around for seasons one and two, I dont really remember watching season three of this show. Launching roughly two months ahead of the debut of HBO Max and squarely in the center of early coronavirus pandemic lockdowns here in the US on March 15th, 2020, the third season didnt quite have the impact of the first two.

The teaser wraps up by promising a release date for season four on June 26th, 2022, with eight episodes planned. The early warning is appreciated, because now I have time to try and watch season three again.

Correction May 9th, 11:15PM ET: Updated to note the trailer link is an Easter Egg ahead of the new season, not a leak, as it first popped up in an Instagram story for fans to find.

Update May 10th, 3:15PM ET: Added cast information from the official PR.

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HBO leaks Westworld S4 teaser trailer and June 26th release date - The Verge