HBO's highly anticipated 'Harry Potter' TV series is set to bring the beloved characters back to life, with filming scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025. The show will be shot at Leavesden, and it's expected to air in 2026 or 2027.
The young trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione will be played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton, respectively. These actors, between the ages of 9 and 11, were chosen through an open casting call, following the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who were around the same age when cast in the film series.
Francesca Gardiner, a consulting producer on HBO’s 'Succession,' has been selected as the showrunner, beating out other finalists like Tom Moran and Kathleen Jordan. Mark Mylod, another 'Succession' collaborator, will direct multiple episodes and serve as an executive producer. The writers' room includes Laura Neal, known for her work on 'Killing Eve.'
Several notable actors are in talks for key roles. John Lithgow confirmed he will play Albus Dumbledore, while Nick Frost is nearing a deal to portray Rubeus Hagrid. Janet McTeer is in negotiations for Professor Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu is closing the deal to play Severus Snape.
The series will be a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's seven books, with each season potentially focusing on one book. However, HBO's Casey Bloys mentioned a 10-year run, which could suggest additional content beyond the original novels.
Visual effects company Framestore, which worked on the 'Harry Potter' films, is in talks to bring the magical world to life once again. Costume designer Holly Waddington, an Oscar winner for 'Poor Things,' has also joined the team.
Chris Columbus, director of the first two 'Harry Potter' films, praised the TV reboot, calling it a "spectacular idea." As the project moves forward, fans can expect a blend of new and familiar elements, ensuring a fresh yet authentic experience.Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is eagerly anticipating the return of the Harry Potter franchise, with CEO David Zaslav expressing his excitement to analysts on the Q4 earnings call. During a recent trip to London, Zaslav, along with HBO CEO Casey Bloys and Warner Bros. Television Chairperson Channing Dungey, met with J.K. Rowling and her team. Both parties are thrilled about reigniting the beloved series.
Despite some recent successes, such as the third season of "Hacks" winning an Emmy for Best Comedy, WBD is in need of the magic that Harry Potter can bring. Bloys provided an update on the anticipated TV series, suggesting it might debut in late 2026 or early 2027, despite casting calls indicating a March start date.
J.K. Rowling's production company saw a 74% drop in profits in 2022, but the stage show "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" has been a post-pandemic success, earning her $10.5 million in 2023. The video game "Hogwarts Legacy" also became a bestseller, moving 22 million units, demonstrating the continued demand for Hogwarts content.
Zaslav emphasized the importance of the Harry Potter IP, stating that it has been "underused" and that the franchise is one of the key differentiators for the company. He noted that without the major franchises like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and DC, the company's performance has been relatively flat.
The new series will be available on Max, which offers three pricing tiers: Max Ad Light ($9.99/month or $99.99/year), Max Ad Free ($15.99/month or $149.99/year), and Max Ultimate Ad Free ($19.99/month or $199.99/year). Additionally, the series will be accessible to cable subscribers through HBO, similar to other WBD content like "House of the Dragon."
Casting for the main trio of Harry, Hermione, and Ron is underway, with 32,000 young actors auditioning. The series is committed to inclusive and diverse casting, and the producers are looking for fresh faces to play these iconic roles. John Lithgow is in final talks to play Albus Dumbledore, a role previously portrayed by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the films.
Rumors suggest that big-name actors like Sharon Horgan, Paapa Essiedu, Brett Goldstein, and Mark Strong are being considered for roles such as Professor McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, and Dumbledore, respectively, though no official deals have been made.
Veteran actors from the film series, including Gary Oldman and Jason Isaacs, have expressed interest in returning, but their involvement remains uncertain. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the films, has stated that he is fine with not being involved in the new series, wishing the new cast and crew all the best.
David Yates, who directed the last four Harry Potter films and the Fantastic Beasts trilogy, has not been approached for the TV series, and he seems content with that decision. With the torch being passed to a new generation, the Harry Potter TV series is poised to bring the magic back to screens in 2026.The Harry Potter franchise is set to expand with a new TV series, scheduled for release on HBO in 2026. The project has been in the works for some time, with the primary challenge being the involvement of J.K. Rowling, who holds creative control over any adaptations of her work. An agreement was finally reached in 2023, paving the way for the series.
Rowling, along with longtime collaborators Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts, will serve as executive producers. David Heyman, who was instrumental in developing the film series, is also in talks to join the production team. The series will be produced by Brontë Film and TV, a company founded by Rowling and Blair in 2012, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television.
In a statement, Rowling expressed her excitement about the project, noting that the long-form television format will allow for a deeper exploration of the characters and world. “Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series,” she said.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has been a key figure in bringing the series to life. He met with Rowling several times in the UK, and despite the ongoing controversy surrounding her comments on transgender issues, he has remained supportive. When asked about these controversies, Casey Bloys, the head of HBO, emphasized that the focus is on the content and not the online discourse. “Our priority is what’s on the screen,” Bloys stated. “Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority — what’s on screen.”
While Rowling’s involvement is confirmed, it remains to be seen how this will affect the participation of the original film cast, given the strained relations between the author and some of the actors, such as Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who have publicly supported trans rights. Bloys made it clear that while Rowling’s insights are valuable, the project is not entirely dependent on her.
The series is expected to be a significant investment, with a budget comparable to or exceeding that of other high-profile HBO productions like "Game of Thrones" and "House of the Dragon." Bloys indicated that the company is committed to making a quality show, regardless of the cost. “We’re free to do anything we want,” Zaslav said, adding that while some areas require collaboration with Rowling, others can proceed independently.
The appetite for more Harry Potter content is evident, with the recent success of spin-off shows like "Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking." As the project moves forward, fans can expect a decade-long run on HBO Max, promising a rich and detailed expansion of the beloved wizarding world.
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