Warner is reissuing Harry Potter as an HBO series and is shooting a live-action adaptation that will once again film all 7 fantasy books by the lightning scar bearer with a new cast.
After years of speculation about a possible Harry Potter series, it was officially announced in April 2023: not as an adaptation of the almost unfilmable play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but as a new edition of the 7 Harry Potter novels. We’ll keep you posted on all developments until the start of the big fantasy series. At this point you will find the following information:
- Start
- die wichtigsten Fakten
- erste Trailer & Bilder
- Cast & Crew (inklusive Besetzungs-Gerüchten)
- Handlung und Vorlage
- Changes (compared to the films)
- Controversies and criticism
Streaming start: When is the Harry Potter series coming?
In 2019, Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling announced that there were “no plans to develop the Harry Potter story as a television series” and in 2021, the rumors were denied. It was not until April 12, 2023 that the tide turned: after the third Fantastic Beasts film in 2022 fell well short of expectations and basically killed the Newt-Scamander films, with even the director not believing in a quick continuation of the spin-offs, Warner and the Wizarding World were looking for alternatives to hold on to the popular brand. Thus, the Harry Potter remake in series form was born.
principal photography is expected to begin in April 2025. Originally, a possible release in 2026 was mentioned, but according to the latest reports, the series could start at the end of 2026 or even as late as 2027. The Harry Potter series will then be released in the US on HBO and its streaming service Max (formerly HBO Max). It is not yet known whether this means that, as is usual with other HBO series such as Game of Thrones, there will be a German version on Sky/WOW or another channel.
The most important facts about the Harry Potter series at a glance:
- 7 books = 7 seasons: Each season of the new Harry Potter series is to implement a volume of J.K. Rowling’s template – from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1) to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (7).
- A 10-year plan: the 7 seasons of the Harry Potter series are to be implemented within a decade, not least so that the new young stars do not age too quickly.
- J.K. Rowling is not involved as the driving creative force or screenwriter, but as an executive producer behind the scenes. Without her blessing, the Harry Potter series would not have been possible.
- HBO is the US quality channel (known for Game of Thrones, for example) that will produce the Harry Potter series as an original. The series will still run on Max (formerly HBO Max), the streaming service originally responsible for the Warners, which originally announced the remake. It is not yet known where the German broadcast will take place.
First trailer & images of the Harry Potter series on HBO
Since the Harry Potter series is still in its early stages, there are no images that provide a first glimpse. However, HBO Max has already released a teaser with floating candles, which announced the new edition via video to the well-known film music and Hogwarts silhouette.
Cast and crew: The cast of the Harry Potter series
In addition to Neil Blair (Fantastic Beasts) and Ruth Kenley-Letts (Strike), novelist J.K. Rowling will also be involved in the series adaptation as an executive producer. Also returning is producer David Heyman, who was already instrumental in the 8-part film series about the young wizard.
In early 2024, several candidates applied to be the creative mind behind the Harry Potter series. After the number of applicants was narrowed down to three finalists, the series finally got its leading team in June 2024:
- Francesca Gardiner (Succession) was chosen as showrunner of the Harry Potter series, with plenty of fantasy remake experience and an affinity with Hermione.
- Mark Mylod (The Menu, Game of Thrones), on the other hand, was the first to be named as a Harry Potter series director.
J.K. Rowling praised Gardner’s script for the first episode and Mylod’s vision:
I am delighted to announce our director and screenwriter, both of whom I interviewed as part of the production team. Both are truly passionate about Harry Potter and after reading Francesca’s script for the first episode and hearing Mark’s vision, I am sure the series will more than live up to expectations.
The new Harry Potter cast: Casting has begun
All roles will be recast in the remake of the Harry Potter series. According to initial rumors, a more diverse cast is being sought. That means: just as Noma Dumezweni’s character in the theater play, Hermione could be played by a black actress in the series. The open casting call for the three main roles sought children from the UK between the ages of 9 and 11 who had to fulfill various video requirements.
No one from the adult Harry Potter cast (introduced in more detail in the link) has yet been officially announced, but there are already some unverified rumors:
- Professor Dumbledore: The Harry Potter series is said to already have a favorite for the role of the new Dumbledore: Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) could play the headmaster of Hogwarts in the future.
- Voldemort: Fans and also the former Voldemort actor Ralph Fiennes would like to see Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) as the new villain. Chris Columbus would be thrilled too.
- Professor Quirrell: According to recent rumors, Cillian Murphy could instead be in the running to play Harry’s Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in his first year at Hogwarts.
- Professor Snape: The favorite for the role of Snape is said to be Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You; Black Doves), which fits with the series’ change to show the teacher in his 30s.
- Hagrid: Possible candidates for Hagrid are Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso)
- Professor McGonagall: Professor McGonagall, on the other hand, could be played by Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters) in the future.
- The Reddit leaks that Jessica Hynes (Shaun of the Dead) and Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) could be in the running for starring roles (possibly as Molly Weasley and Mr. Ollivander) are currently less likely to be true than the other casting rumors.
- Petunia Dursley: Scooper Daniel Richtman also claims to have found out that Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) was offered the role of Harry’s aunt.
Whether the characters will be weighted in the same way in terms of their importance as in their Harry Potter movie appearances, which were timed to the second, or whether they will be closer to their book appearances remains to be seen.
Will old Harry Potter movie stars return for the new series?
Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe said that he always knew that the books would be made into new films, but thought that a guest appearance on his part would be “probably strange”. Daniel Radcliffe ruled out his return to Harry Potter because the series creators were aiming for a fresh start and he would not actively seek a cameo. However, he recommended from his own experience that the new young actors be protected. It also seemed unlikely that Emma Watson would be involved again to help her career move on, although she had announced in 2009 that she would like to play Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter remake.
On the other hand, James Phelps and Oliver Phelps, as the former Weasley twins, expressed interest in returning to the series, albeit on condition of new Harry Potter roles. Meanwhile, Ginny actor Bonnie Wright would prefer a fun return in a potential film adaptation of the play.
After Tom Felton’s dramatic career changes, an appearance by the Draco star in the Harry Potter remake is not unlikely. When asked specifically about a potential series appearance, Tom Felton sees himself in the role of his father Lucius Malfoy. His co-stars Jason Isaacs (Mr. Malfoy) and Matthew Lewis (Neville), on the other hand, jokingly recommended themselves for the roles of Dobby and Lupin. The Neville actor did not rule out a return in principle and expressed his desire to play a grown-up Neville. When asked about his potential return to the series, Gary Oldman also recommended himself for Dumbledore, after his Sirius Black appeared in the films “not enough”.
Plot and template of the Harry Potter reboot
For those who don’t know the Harry Potter plot, here it is in a nutshell: an orphan boy with a lightning bolt scar grows up oppressed by his aunt’s family. At the age of 11, he learns that he is a magician and attends the magical boarding school Hogwarts. While he finally finds real friends here in Ron and Hermione, he also has to face the truth that as a baby he brought down the powerful evil wizard Lord Voldemort… and that this confrontation is far from over.
In addition, there are illustrated collector’s editions of the first volumes* that provide additional images for the Harry Potter stories.
Changes: The series compared to the Harry Potter films
The chances of the series being reissued lie primarily in the inclusion of details omitted from the books (such as Peeves or Hermione’s bond with her house-elfs). Warner Bros. Television Group CEO Channing Dungey has already confirmed that the series would “explore the story of the books in more detail”. For this reason, Chris Columbus, who directed the first and second Harry Potter films, also thinks the remake is a “great idea”.
Then, criticized details such as the fake hair of several Harry Potter characters could be corrected. Will Harry get green eyes this time and Hermione bigger teeth? Bonnie Wright wished for the series to treat Ginny better. Harry Potter producer David Heyman also stated :
We are still at the very beginning. […] Hopefully it will be something very special. The series gives us the opportunity […] to explore the books even deeper.
What series changes can Harry Potter fans expect?
For example, the following changes to the Harry Potter films are already known about the series
- This time, Poltergeist Peeves, who was left out of the movies, is supposed to be in the series.
- It also looks like Harry’s parents’ generation (James, Lily and the rest of the Marauders, as well as Snape) will be rejuvenated and thus more faithful to the books.
- According to unconfirmed Reddit leaks from anonymous insider sources, Warner wants to adopt iconic logos from the films (such as the Hogwarts castle and the house crests) for the series and continue to follow the rule of only casting British cast members, but this time to shoot some of them in a volume and also to shed more light on the relationships of the adults.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Robert Obershelp explained that Harry Potter should become like Batman in the future: They would discuss different versions of the character and ask, “Which Harry are you?” He also teased a connection to the video game sequel Hogwarts Legacy 2 to Variety, with which the series wants to “coordinate”.
Meanwhile, competitors in the fantasy genre, such as the series Fourth Wing, which has thematic parallels, are also planning to compete with Harry Potter. Even in Germany, a fantasy trilogy that is strongly reminiscent of Harry Potter is coming to the cinema. Furthermore, J.K. Rowling’s fantasy children’s book sequel The Christmas Pig is to be filmed.
- Incidentally, the series will be reissued as an audio book before the Harry Potter series.
- In addition, a Harry Potter baking show called Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking will be released in advance.
Controversies and criticism of the Harry Potter series
With its longer narrative time and episode and season structure, a series is actually the ideal format for a Harry Potter film adaptation. Nevertheless, neither Harry Potter 8 nor the series reboot were considered to be particularly creative ideas for breathing new life into the franchise. (Which Martin Scorsese, of all people, showed.) For Warner, however, the remake was probably the quickest and most reliable way to resurrect the wizarding world.
In addition, the announcement of the Harry Potter series came at a critical time when the rift between many fans and Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans comments. Stars like Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe distanced themselves from her, which widened the gap.
The criticism of the Harry Potter series also included the short time span between the book and the film series (only a little over 20 years after the beginning and 10 years after the end of the first adaptation). The enduring popularity of the eight movies with their iconic locations and stars threatened to get in the way of the new film adaptation – either because it was too close to or too far away from it. Would it be able to improve on the successful first adaptation of the series?
Podcast discussion: Is the Harry Potter series a good idea?
Many fans saw the announcement, complete with the familiar lettering, as a “desperate act” and as a newly launched milking of the Harry Potter brand, which also lives not least from the sale of merchandise. Wouldn’t there have been much more exciting alternative series ideas for Harry Potter (e.g. about the Marauders or as an animated series)?
The son of the late Dumbledore actor Richard Harris, the well-known actor Jared Harris, did not hide his scathing opinion of the Harry Potter remake, saying that the “fantastic films should be left alone” instead of tarnishing them with a remake. Bizarrely, an unauthorized Indonesian Harry Potter film adaptation, made as a low-budget series, rode the wave of success of the brand for a long time without being discovered.
