Warner Bros. Discovery is gearing up to bring the magical world of Harry Potter to HBO with an upcoming television series, set to begin filming in the summer of 2025. The series, which is expected to air in 2026 or 2027, will be a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's seven iconic books.
The creative team behind the series includes Francesca Gardiner, who was selected as the showrunner after a competitive pitch process. Gardiner, known for her work on "Succession," will also serve as an executive producer. Mark Mylod, another "Succession" veteran, will direct multiple episodes and executive produce. Laura Neal, a scribe from "Killing Eve," has joined the writers' room, adding to the impressive lineup of talent.
Casting for the series is well underway, with some notable names in the mix. John Lithgow confirmed his role as Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer is in negotiations to play Professor Minerva McGonagall. Paapa Essiedu is close to finalizing a deal to portray Severus Snape. Other actors being considered for key roles include Sharon Horgan, Brett Goldstein, and Mark Strong.
For the young leads, an open casting call has been issued for the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, with the requirement that the actors be between the ages of 9 and 11 by April 2025. This age range aligns closely with the original casting of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in the film series.
Visual effects company Framestore, which worked on the original Harry Potter films, is in talks to recreate the magical world for the TV series. Holly Waddington, an Oscar-winning costume designer, has also been recruited to bring the characters' outfits to life.
While the initial plan was for each season to focus on one book, recent statements suggest the series might span a longer timeframe, potentially running for 10 consecutive years. However, executives have clarified that the "Fantastic Beasts" series will not be part of this new project.
Chris Columbus, director of the first two Harry Potter films, has expressed his support for the TV reboot, calling it a "spectacular idea." Warner Bros. Discovery is committed to bringing the franchise to life with the utmost care and craft, ensuring that fans can once again immerse themselves in the beloved wizarding world.J.K. Rowling, despite her production company's 74% drop in profits in 2022, saw a significant rebound with the stage version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child becoming a post-pandemic hit, earning her $10.5 million in 2023. This success, along with the massive popularity of the video game Hogwarts Legacy , which sold 22 million units, indicates a continued appetite for Harry Potter content.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav highlighted the need for more Hogwarts-related projects, emphasizing that the Harry Potter IP has been underutilized. He noted that without major franchises like Harry Potter , Lord of the Rings , and DC, Warner Bros.' performance over the past 20 years has been relatively flat. Zaslav is counting on these big-ticket IPs to drive future success.
The upcoming Harry Potter TV series will be available on Max, with three price tiers: Max Ad Light at $9.99/month or $99.99/year, Max Ad Free at $15.99/month or $149.99/year, and Max Ultimate Ad Free at $19.99/month or $199.99/year. The series will also be accessible to cable subscribers on HBO, similar to other popular shows like House of the Dragon .
John Lithgow is in final talks to play Albus Dumbledore, a role previously portrayed by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. Over 32,000 young actors have auditioned for the lead roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Names like Sharon Horgan, Paapa Essiedu, Brett Goldstein, and Mark Strong are rumored for roles such as Professor McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, and Dumbledore, but no deals have been finalized.
Warner Bros. is committed to inclusive and diverse casting for the main trio, with a focus on young actors. The casting process, especially for the younger characters, is challenging but ongoing. The production team is keeping details close, with no official offers made to any agencies yet.
Veteran stars from the film franchise, such as Gary Oldman and Jason Isaacs, have expressed interest in returning, though no formal approaches have been made. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, is supportive of the reboot but does not expect to be involved, preferring to watch as an audience member. Similarly, director David Yates, who helmed the last four Harry Potter films and the Fantastic Beasts trilogy, has not been approached and is content with moving on to new projects.
J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts are executive producers, ensuring Rowling's creative control over the series. The agreement for her involvement was finalized in 2023. David Heyman, who developed the original films, is also in talks to join the project. Brontë Film and TV, founded by Rowling and Neil Blair in 2012, is producing the series in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television.
HBO’s ambitious decade-long exploration of the Wizarding World moves forward with a 2026 premiere target for its Harry Potter television adaptation. The project, described by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav as a “full deployment” of the franchise, aims to delve deeper into J.K. Rowling’s universe than previous films, with the author serving as executive producer.
\While Rowling’s creative input remains central, tensions linger over her polarizing public statements on gender issues. Former film stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, vocal supporters of trans rights, appear unlikely to participate given Rowling’s recent criticism of celebrities advocating youth transition. HBO’s Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys sidestepped questions about off-screen controversies, stressing the series will focus on themes of “love and self-acceptance” from the original books.
\Production budgets are expected to rival or exceed House of the Dragon ’s $200M+ spend, with Warner Bros. leveraging its 20-year franchise expertise. Bloys confirmed the studio isn’t solely reliant on Rowling’s involvement, citing successes like the Hogwarts Legacy video game as proof of the IP’s adaptability. Writers’ rooms are reportedly considering multiple Potter-related spinoff concepts, though the flagship series remains the priority.
\Behind the scenes, Warner Bros. Discovery continues expanding its Wizarding World portfolio despite recent organizational shakeups. Former executive Tom Ascheim, who initially managed franchise strategy, departed post-merger, but Zaslav’s team views Potter as critical to Max’s streaming growth. The CEO nostalgically recalled reading the books to his children, framing the series as both a cultural touchstone and long-term business play.
\Casting remains underway for young leads, with 32,000 child actors reportedly auditioning. While original film cast reunions seem improbable, rumors persist about established stars like Cillian Murphy being approached for roles like Voldemort. The creative team plans to begin filming this summer at Leavesden Studios, aiming to balance fan expectations with fresh interpretations.
\As Warner Bros. navigates Rowling’s controversial public profile, executives emphasize separating art from author. Bloys noted the studio’s comfort handling complex source material, drawing parallels to Game of Thrones adaptations. With Rowling retaining approval rights on key decisions but granting creative flexibility elsewhere, the series seeks to honor literary roots while establishing its own visual identity for a new generation.
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