Harry Potter TV Series: Release date, Will J.K. Rowling be Involved, cast, plot, & Everything we know so far

A new era of magic is on the horizon as the highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series is officially in the works. This exciting reboot, first announced by Warner Bros. Discovery in 2023, promises to reintroduce fans to the enchanting world of wizards and witches. It aims to deliver a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's beloved novels, inviting a fresh generation of viewers to experience the magic of Hogwarts. 

The original Harry Potter film series, which grossed over $7.8 billion worldwide, captivated audiences for over a decade, bringing the adventures of the Boy Who Lived to life through eight incredible films. Now, with a commitment to exploring the rich narrative and character development of the seven books, the TV series will dive deep into the lore that has enchanted fans for more than 25 years.

Recent updates from Warner Bros. Discovery's CEO, David Zaslav, have fans buzzing with excitement, confirming plans for a 2026 premiere. While specific casting choices remain under wraps, there's a palpable thrill in the air as fans anticipate how this new adaptation will breathe fresh life into cherished characters and storylines.

Get ready for an adventure filled with new revelations, character arcs, and all the magical moments fans have longed to see. As we unravel everything from casting news to behind-the-scenes details, stay tuned for the latest updates on this captivating new chapter in the Wizarding World. Your journey back to Hogwarts is just beginning!

Release date & Where to Watch

The highly anticipated Harry Potter series is set to premiere in 2026, with HBO aiming to provide fans with a fresh take on the beloved books. Initially announced as a Max original, the series will now air on HBO and stream on Max, following a strategic shift by the network to brand it as an HBO original.

Your Hogwarts letter is here.

Max has ordered the first ever #HarryPotter scripted television series, a faithful adaptation of the iconic books. #StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/3CgEHLYhch

— Max (@StreamOnMax) April 12, 2023

Plot

The new Max Original Harry Potter series promises to explore each of J.K. Rowling's iconic books in greater depth, offering fans a detailed and faithful adaptation. Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, assured fans that the series would maintain the same level of care and craftsmanship that the franchise is known for and that it would remain true to the source material.

Early reports suggested that each season would cover one book from the Harry Potter series, which consists of seven novels. However, Bloys indicated the project would span "10 consecutive years," raising questions about the traditional one-season-per-book approach. Despite speculation, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) clarified that the "Fantastic Beasts" series would not be included in this new show. Instead, the series will focus solely on the Harry Potter novels, with each season bringing these beloved stories to life for a new generation.

For fans who felt that the original films left out significant details due to time constraints, this series is a chance to revisit the Wizarding World with more room to explore the intricacies of Rowling’s universe. The show is expected to include fan-favorite events and characters omitted from the films, such as Nearly Headless Nick’s Deathday Party in "Philosopher’s Stone" and Hermione’s S.P.E.W. (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare) in "Goblet of Fire." 

Cast

The new Harry Potter TV series will feature an entirely new cast, recasting the iconic roles originally played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. 

HBO confirmed that the series aims to introduce a new generation of fans to the Wizarding World, with a fresh cast leading the way. Radcliffe and Watson, among other original cast members, have expressed their support for passing the torch but have no plans to reprise their roles.

Radcliffe, in particular, has made it clear that he’s content watching the new series as a fan and believes the creators will want to put their own stamp on the story without involving the original actors. He emphasized that the reboot deserves a "clean break" and that his involvement isn't necessary for the series to succeed.

Casting for the new series will begin once a showrunner is in place. As of late January 2024, Warner Bros. TV Group Chairman Channing Dungey mentioned that finding the right showrunner was the first priority before casting could begin. With Francesca Gardiner now on board as showrunner, the next step will be selecting young actors to embody the beloved characters, particularly as the first two books focus on 11 to 12-year-old children.

Trailer 

There isn't a trailer for the Harry Potter TV series yet, but you can watch the announcement video below.

Will J.K. Rowling be Involved?

Yes, J.K. Rowling will be involved in the new Harry Potter TV series as an executive producer. Given her creative control over the franchise, her participation was a significant factor in bringing the series to the screen. The agreement for her involvement was finalized in 2023, and she will be working alongside longtime collaborators Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts, as well as David Heyman, who developed the original films. Warner Bros. Television and Rowling's production company, Brontë Film and TV, are handling the production.

Despite the controversy surrounding Rowling's outspoken views on transgender issues, HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery remain committed to her involvement. Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, emphasized that Rowling's insights will be valuable for the series, stating, "She’s an executive producer on the show, and her insights are going to be incredibly helpful." Bloys also highlighted that the network is focused on what's on screen, underscoring their long-standing relationship with the Harry Potter franchise.

However, Rowling's involvement has sparked concern among fans, particularly given her strained relations with some of the film's original stars, like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who have publicly supported trans rights. Despite this, Warner Bros. Discovery continues to stand by Rowling's role in the new adaptation.

How many Seasons of the Harry Potter TV Series will There be?

Max has revealed that the Harry Potter TV series is planned to span a full decade, providing ten years of content for fans to enjoy. This announcement dispels the earlier theory that each season would correspond directly to one of the seven books in the series. While it's expected that the show will cover all seven books, it's possible, as with the film adaptations, that some of the books could be split into multiple seasons. However, it's still unclear whether the decade-long plan means there will be ten seasons in total or simply that the series will run for ten years. HBO has yet to confirm the exact structure of their adaptation.

Will There be Another Harry Potter-Related Project?

“We have the freedom to pursue anything we want,” Zaslav has said, though he clarified, “Some things will need to involve J.K. Rowling, while in other areas, we have full creative control. This is a comprehensive effort to bring Harry Potter to Max, but we're also exploring other projects.”

While the specifics of these boundaries remain uncertain, it is clear that Warner Bros. Discovery is eager to expand the Potter universe. Since taking charge of the merged company, Zaslav has repeatedly emphasized his focus on franchises, with the Harry Potter IP being a top priority. According to Deadline, there's a possibility that multiple writers from the recent pitches could be involved, and Max is open to developing more than one Harry Potter project.

Behind the Scenes

Four months after Deadline revealed Francesca Gardiner as a finalist for rebooting a classic kids' franchise, the Succession consulting producer has officially secured the showrunner role. Gardiner outpaced fellow contenders Tom Moran and Kathleen Jordan for the position.

Gardiner, who contributed as a consulting producer on seasons three and four of Succession, will also serve as the series' writer and executive producer. Joining her is Succession collaborator Mark Mylod, who will direct multiple episodes while also taking on executive producer duties. Mylod is known for his direction of standout Succession episodes, including the iconic "Connor’s Wedding," as well as his work on Game of Thrones and the film The Menu.

Warner Bros. Television and the streaming service initially announced the project in April 2023 and invited a select group of creatives to pitch their ideas. In addition to Gardiner, Tom Moran, and Kathleen Jordan were among the finalists. Moran is known for creating Amazon’s The Devil’s Hour, while Jordan is the creator of Netflix’s Teenage Bounty Hunters.

David Heyman, a key producer from the Harry Potter film series and the Fantastic Beasts films, is on board as an executive producer for the new series. Additional executive producers include Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and Gardiner and Mylod themselves.