Everything About HBO’s Upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ Series

The wizarding world is returning, this time as an episodic television series, thirteen years after ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’ wrapped up Harry’s film journey. Mark Mylod, who worked on ‘Succession’, will direct the new version, while Francesca Gardiner will serve as showrunner. Following Harry Potter’s discovery of his magical lineage and his experiences at Hogwarts alongside Ron and Hermione as they confront the sinister danger of Lord Voldemort, the series seeks to reintroduce the story of Harry Potter.

Nearly thirty years have passed since J.K. Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ was first adapted for the big screen by director Chris Columbus in 2001. With $7.7 billion in worldwide revenue, the original movie series is still a huge hit.

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The series intends to devote a full season to each of the seven books, in contrast to the films, providing the chance to explore character arcs and plotlines in greater detail. While maintaining recognizable features like the Great Hall’s appearance, the authors hope to build upon the novels and movies. Characters and Hogwarts employees who received less screen time in the movies will also be highlighted in the series.

J.K. Rowling will be an executive producer despite the recent controversy surrounding her public remarks against transgender and non-binary people. She played a key role in choosing the show’s writer and director, HBO has acknowledged.

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Approximately 32,000 auditions from the United Kingdom and Ireland have been submitted for the main parts of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Early in 2024, the creative team anticipates meeting with the shortlisted applicants. Other important roles are still being discussed; Paapa Essiedu is apparently being considered for the character of Severus Snape, and Mark Rylance is supposedly being considered for the role of Dumbledore. 

There have been no final casting decisions made. Filming will start at Leavesden Studios, where the films were first filmed, in the summer of 2025. In 2026, the series is anticipated to debut on Max.

–Farheen Ali