{"id":39947,"date":"2026-08-12T03:35:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T22:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=39947"},"modified":"2026-08-12T03:35:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T22:35:38","slug":"everything-we-know-about-the-2026-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=39947","title":{"rendered":"Everything We Know About The 2026 Show"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There will be <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/05\/harry-potter-renewed-season-2-hbo-jon-brown-co-showrunner-1236883218\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/05\/harry-potter-renewed-season-2-hbo-jon-brown-co-showrunner-1236883218\/\">another season<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/hbo-max\/\" id=\"auto-tag_hbo-max\" data-tag=\"hbo-max\">HBO Max<\/a>\u2018s <em>Harry Potter<\/em> TV series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new Harry, Ron and Hermione <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/05\/hbos-harry-potter-series-cast-harry-ron-hermione-1236411573\/\">have received<\/a> their Hogwarts admission letters, as have the newest additions \u2014 <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/08\/hbos-harry-potter-casts-the-weasley-children-fred-george-1236491867\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/08\/hbos-harry-potter-casts-the-weasley-children-fred-george-1236491867\/\">four out of Ron\u2019s six siblings<\/a>. Since those magical owl deliveries, the Ginny Weasley role will be recast for Season 2 due to <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/05\/harry-potter-ginny-weasley-recast-season-2-gracie-cochrane-1236914643\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/05\/harry-potter-ginny-weasley-recast-season-2-gracie-cochrane-1236914643\/\">Gracie Cochrane\u2019s departure from the series<\/a> \u201cdue to unforeseen circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/05\/hbos-harry-potter-series-cast-harry-ron-hermione-1236411573\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/05\/hbos-harry-potter-series-cast-harry-ron-hermione-1236411573\/\">Harry Potter TV Series Actors: Photos Of Who\u2019s Playing Harry, Ron &amp; Hermione<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dominic McLaughlin will portray The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter himself. Alastair Stout will play Harry\u2019s best friend Ronald Weasley, and Arabella Stanton will round out the classic trio of heroes as bookworm Hermione Granger, who matches the courage of the previous two Gryffindors.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"577\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter\" class=\"wp-image-1236456614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=150,85 150w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=1024,577 1024w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=178,100 178w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=125,70 125w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=1280,721 1280w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=1000,563 1000w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=681,383 681w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=450,253 450w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=250,140 250w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=296,166 296w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=248,139 248w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=200,112 200w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=270,152 270w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=60,34 60w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=352,198 352w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=110,62 110w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=285,161 285w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=320,180 320w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=640,361 640w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Harry-Potter.jpg?resize=800,451 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four months after\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/02\/harry-potter-series-writer-finalists-francesca-gardiner-tom-moran-and-kathleen-jordan-1235839792\/\">Deadline revealed that Francesca Gardiner was one of three finalists<\/a>\u00a0to win the prize to reboot the classic kids franchise for the small screen, the <em>Succession<\/em> consulting producer for Seasons 3 and 4 <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/06\/harry-potter-showrunner-director-1235983341\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/06\/harry-potter-showrunner-director-1235983341\/\">won the showrunner gig<\/a>. Gardiner beat Tom Moran and Kathleen Jordan to win the job. Mark Mylod, who worked with Gardiner on <em>Succession<\/em> will direct multiple episodes of the series in addition to executive producing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/02\/john-lithgow-playing-albus-dumbledore-hbo-harry-potter-series-1236301779\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/02\/john-lithgow-playing-albus-dumbledore-hbo-harry-potter-series-1236301779\/\">John Lithgow On Saying \u201cYes\u201d To Playing Albus Dumbledore In HBO\u2019s \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Series: \u201cI\u2019m Afraid, But I\u2019m Very Excited\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chris Columbus, who directed the first two films in the franchsie adapted from J.K. Rowlings best-selling books, <em>Harry Potter and the Sorcerer\u2019s Stone<\/em> and <em>Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets<\/em>, approves of HBO\u2019s television reboot, <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/01\/harry-potter-director-chris-columbus-hbo-reboot-1236262082\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/01\/harry-potter-director-chris-columbus-hbo-reboot-1236262082\/\">calling it a \u201cspectacular idea.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At its Max <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/streaming\/\" id=\"auto-tag_streaming\" data-tag=\"streaming\">streaming<\/a> event in April 2023, <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/warner-bros-discovery\/\" id=\"auto-tag_warner-bros-discovery\" data-tag=\"warner-bros-discovery\">Warner Bros. Discovery<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/04\/harry-potter-max-series-jk-rowling-1235322187\/\">confirmed a new era is coming for Harry Potter fans<\/a>. The company announced a TV series based on all seven books about the boy wizard written by <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/j-k-rowling\/\" id=\"auto-tag_j-k-rowling\" data-tag=\"j-k-rowling\">J.K. Rowling<\/a>. On June 25, it was revealed that the series is <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/06\/harry-potter-welcome-to-derry-moving-from-max-to-hbo-1235983023\/\">moving to HBO in a rethink of WBD\u2019s big-budget streaming strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See below for the most current answers to the most important questions about the project. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there a trailer for the \u2018Philosopher\u2019s Stone\u2019-based Season 1 of the Harry Potter TV show?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, the first <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/03\/harry-potter-series-release-date-christmas-name-trailer-1236765325\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/03\/harry-potter-series-release-date-christmas-name-trailer-1236765325\/\">teaser trailer<\/a> was released March 25.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the Harry Potter TV series about?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years,\u201d said\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/casey-bloys\/\">Casey Bloys<\/a>, Chairman and CEO, HBO &amp; Max Content about the project, which he also assured fans would be \u201ca faithful adaptation.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/09\/harry-potter-dumbledore-jared-harris-tv-reboot-1236097643\/\">The Story Behind Francesca Gardiner\u2019s HBO Hire: Meet The Showrunner Tasked With Casting Another Spell On \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Fans<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/04\/harry-potter-tv-series-hbo-max-jk-rowling-produce-1235317141\/\">Early reports<\/a> had each season of the series focusing on one book in the Harry Potter book series, which consists of seven novels, but Bloys said the project would run for \u201c10 consecutive years,\u201d which would seem to defy the 1 season, 1 book assertion. For those who say <em>Fantastic Beasts<\/em> could be leveraged to provide 10 seasons over 10 years, WBD brass said specifically during the announcement that <em>FB <\/em>will not be a part of the series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whatever the case, Bloys promised that, as the company embarks on its new Harry Potter adventure, \u201cWe do so with the full care and craft of this franchise.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will there be more seasons of HBO\u2019s \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 TV show?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, HBO has <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/05\/harry-potter-renewed-season-2-hbo-jon-brown-co-showrunner-1236883218\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/05\/harry-potter-renewed-season-2-hbo-jon-brown-co-showrunner-1236883218\/\">renewed the series for a second season<\/a>, elevating Jon Brown from writer on Season 1 to co-showrunner for Season 2 with Francesca Gardiner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/09\/harry-potter-dumbledore-jared-harris-tv-reboot-1236097643\/\">Original Dumbledore Actor\u2019s Son Doesn\u2019t See Need For \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 TV Reboot: \u201cI Don\u2019t Understand\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deadline broke the news that Nicholas Hoult will <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/08\/nicholas-hoult-harry-potter-season-2-gilderoy-lockhart-1237001668\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/08\/nicholas-hoult-harry-potter-season-2-gilderoy-lockhart-1237001668\/\">portray Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Gilderoy Lockhart<\/a> in Season 2 of the series. Kennth Branagh originated the somewhat aloof professor, who steps into the role after Professor Quirrell was revealed to be hosting the feeble Lord Voldemort on the back of his bald head. Little does Lockhart know what he\u2019s getting into.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Has HBO\u2019s \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 TV series started production?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, cameras began rolling as of July 14, 2025. HBO had confirmed that the show would <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-series-to-begin-shooting-summer-at-leavesden-1236195321\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-series-to-begin-shooting-summer-at-leavesden-1236195321\/\">start shooting<\/a> in the summer of 2025 at Leavesden. The April 2025 casting timeline supported this as well. Showrunner\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/francesca-gardiner\/\">Francesca Gardiner<\/a>\u00a0and EP\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/mark-mylod\/\">Mark Mylod<\/a>\u00a0made a surprise appearance at the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/max\/\">Max<\/a>\u00a0Showcase in London to reveal the big step in <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/production\/\" id=\"auto-tag_production\" data-tag=\"production\">production<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who is creating the Harry Potter series?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/succession\/\">Succession<\/a><\/em>\u00a0duo\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/francesca-gardiner\/\">Francesca Gardiner<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/mark-mylod\/\">Mark Mylod<\/a>\u00a0have signed up as its writer and director, respectively. Gardiner will serve as showrunner and executive producer, and Mylod will direct multiple episodes in addition to serving as executive producer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holly Waddington, who won an Oscar in her craft for <em>Poor Things<\/em>, serves as costume designer, Deadline <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-series-poor-things-costume-designer-holly-waddington-1236195657\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-series-poor-things-costume-designer-holly-waddington-1236195657\/\">reported exclusively<\/a>. <em>Killing Eve<\/em> scribe Laura Neal has <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-wirter-francesca-gardiner-life-plan-for-books-1236188681\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-wirter-francesca-gardiner-life-plan-for-books-1236188681\/\">joined the writers room<\/a>. Deadline <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-wirter-francesca-gardiner-life-plan-for-books-1236188681\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-wirter-francesca-gardiner-life-plan-for-books-1236188681\/\">exclusively profiled<\/a> showrunner Francesca Gardiner with insight from her colleagues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/06\/harry-potter-showrunner-director-1235983341\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/06\/harry-potter-showrunner-director-1235983341\/\">\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 HBO Series Finds Its Creative Team In \u2018Succession\u2019 Duo Francesca Gardiner &amp; Mark Mylod<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rowling was understood to be involved in this pitching process when the group of writing candidates pitched their takes on the IP.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Framestore VFX is in talks to recreate the magical world it brought to life in the eight movies adapted from J.K. Rowling\u2019s seven books. Warner Bros. Discovery is also speaking to other companies about visual effects, but Framestore is in <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/11\/harry-potter-series-hbo-talks-with-vfx-framestore-1236182476\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/11\/harry-potter-series-hbo-talks-with-vfx-framestore-1236182476\/\">prime position<\/a> to clinch a contract, we hear. A deal is not yet done.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When will the Harry Potter series be released?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Season 1, based on <em>Harry Potter and the Philosopher\u2019s Stone<\/em>, will <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/03\/harry-potter-series-release-date-christmas-name-trailer-1236765325\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/03\/harry-potter-series-release-date-christmas-name-trailer-1236765325\/\">release Christmas 2026 on HBO and HBO Max<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/03\/harry-potter-jessie-cave-miriam-margolyes-adult-fans-1235870174\/\">\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Alum Jessie Cave On Miriam Margolyes\u2019 Take On Adult Fans: \u201cI Really Don\u2019t Like That She Said That\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a Goldman Sachs conference in 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav pointed out the need for more Hogwarts magic explicitly. Ignoring the Harry-less <em>Fantastic Beasts<\/em> films, the CEO insisted the boy wizard presents a huge opportunity, claiming that the IP has been \u201cunderused\u201d of late.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe haven\u2019t done anything with <em>Harry Potter<\/em> for more than a decade,\u201d he said, before going on to note that when one examines the performance of Warner Bros. over the last 20 years without accounting for it\u2019s big three \u2014 <em>Potter<\/em>, <em>Lord of the Rings<\/em> and DC \u2014 the company\u2019s performance is \u201crelatively flat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/05\/j-k-rowling-harry-potter-star-alan-rickman-about-severus-snape-big-secret-1235904742\/\">J.K. Rowling Reveals How She Told \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Star Alan Rickman About Character\u2019s Big Secret<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zaslav called that type of big-ticket IP \u201cone of the big differentiators of this company.\u201d And he seems to be counting on it to make a big difference.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen you put those franchises in, it\u2019s the best-performing studio in the world. We need to deploy our best capital, and we need to do it with the best creative people in the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to watch the new \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 series<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It will, of course, be on Max once the series is ready. The service has three price tiers: Basic with Ads, which goes\u00a0for $10.99 a month or $109.99 a year; Standard\u00a0will be priced at $18.49 a month, or $184.99 a year, and will allow two concurrent streams; and Premoum which costs $22.99 a month, or $229.99 a year, and allows access to four concurrent streams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/03\/miriam-margolyes-adult-harry-potter-fans-1235851621\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/03\/miriam-margolyes-adult-harry-potter-fans-1235851621\/\">Miriam Margolyes Says Adult \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Fans Worry Her: \u201cThey Should Be Over That By Now\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, WBD\u2019s other current epic literary adaptation, <em>House of the Dragon<\/em>, is available not only on the company\u2019s streaming service, but also to cable subscribers on HBO. The <em>Potter<\/em> series will follow suit, according to execs. So if you have HBO via your cable provider, you\u2019re all set.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re in Canada, WBD has <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/05\/warner-bros-discovery-canada-bell-media-harry-potter-game-of-thrones-dc-hbo-1235353403\/\">struck a multi-year licensing agreement<\/a> with Crave for the likes of\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/harry-potter\/\">Harry Potter<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/game-of-thrones\/\">Game of Thrones<\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/dc\/\">DC<\/a>\u00a0Universe and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/hbo\/\">HBO<\/a>\u00a0content.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which actors are starring in the series? Are any of the original <em>Harry Potter<\/em> stars returning?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John Lithgow <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/02\/harry-potter-tv-series-casting-john-lithgow-dumbledore-1236285903\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/02\/harry-potter-tv-series-casting-john-lithgow-dumbledore-1236285903\/\">will<\/a> play the beloved Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, previously portrayed in the films first by Richard Harris in <em>The Sorcerer\u2019s Stone<\/em> and <em>The Chamber of Secrets<\/em> films and then by Michael Gambon in the rest of the movie installments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A whopping 32,000 young actors <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-series-to-begin-shooting-summer-at-leavesden-1236195321\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-series-to-begin-shooting-summer-at-leavesden-1236195321\/\">auditioned for the lead roles<\/a> of Harry, Hermione and Ron, Gardiner revealed at the end of 2024.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The choices of Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Ronald Weasley as the trio were the result of a specific set of requirements.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Harry Ron Hermione Harry Potter series\" class=\"wp-image-1236411575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=60,40 60w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=352,235 352w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=110,73 110w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=285,190 285w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=320,213 320w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harry.jpg?resize=800,533 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are committed to inclusive, diverse casting,\u201d the casting call noted at the bottom in language that has become an industry standard. \u201cFor every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warner Bros. wanted young actors, given that they\u2019re proceeding through Rowling\u2019s books in order. \u201cThe tricky part is the first two books, where the kids are on the younger end, around 11 or 12,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2024\/tv\/news\/warner-bros-tv-channing-dungey-ted-lasso-harry-potter-golden-bachelorette-1235881452\/#recipient_hashed=a76886990ce467532a650796f24b3f4f1f4ffc575a3d29870a3a3a406dc15b8a&amp;recipient_salt=e523bef1b0ca3d07a6889c54213ad4eb4190512eec372b5a448316c4010b4d41\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2024\/tv\/news\/warner-bros-tv-channing-dungey-ted-lasso-harry-potter-golden-bachelorette-1235881452\/#recipient_hashed=a76886990ce467532a650796f24b3f4f1f4ffc575a3d29870a3a3a406dc15b8a&amp;recipient_salt=e523bef1b0ca3d07a6889c54213ad4eb4190512eec372b5a448316c4010b4d41\" target=\"_blank\">said Warner Bros. TV  Group Chairman Channing Dungey<\/a> of the casting process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rory Wilmot has been cast as Neville Longbottom,\u00a0Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/04\/daniel-radcliffe-terrified-of-alan-rickman-in-first-harry-potter-films-1235882719\/\">Daniel Radcliffe Was \u201cTerrified\u201d Of Alan Rickman In First Three \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Films<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tristan and Gabriel Harland will portray Fred and George Weasley. Ruari Spooner will play Percy Weasley, and Gracie Cochrane will star as Ginny Weasley in Season 1. Cochrane will not reappear as the youngest Weasley sibling from Season 2 onwards.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"724\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1236491898\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg 3508w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=150,106 150w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=300,212 300w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=1024,724 1024w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=1536,1086 1536w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=2048,1448 2048w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=141,100 141w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=60,42 60w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=352,249 352w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=110,78 110w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=285,201 285w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=320,226 320w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=640,452 640w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=800,566 800w, https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Weasleys.jpg?resize=1280,905 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">L-R: Gracie Cochran, Tristan and Gabriel Hoarland and Ruari Spooner with Alistair Stout in forefront and James Phelps, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright and Oliver Phelps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some big names were <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-casting-rumors-sharon-horgan-brett-goldstein-mark-strong-1236196667\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-casting-rumors-sharon-horgan-brett-goldstein-mark-strong-1236196667\/\">in the conversation<\/a> earlier on to play major characters in the series with Sharon Horgan (<em>Bad Sisters<\/em>), Paapa Essiedu (<em>I May Destroy You<\/em>), Brett Goldstein (<em>Ted Lasso, Shrinking<\/em>) and Mark Strong among names that were circulating for McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid and Dumbledore. Deadline first reported that John Lithgow was <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/02\/harry-potter-tv-series-casting-john-lithgow-dumbledore-1236285903\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/02\/harry-potter-tv-series-casting-john-lithgow-dumbledore-1236285903\/\">nearing final talks<\/a> for the role of Albus Dumbledore, the aloof yet powerful headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Lithgow <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/02\/john-lithgow-playing-albus-dumbledore-hbo-harry-potter-series-1236301779\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/02\/john-lithgow-playing-albus-dumbledore-hbo-harry-potter-series-1236301779\/\">confirmed the casting<\/a> to <em><a rel=\"nofollow\" data-id=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/harry-potter-show-john-lithgow-dumbledore-casting-confirmed\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/harry-potter-show-john-lithgow-dumbledore-casting-confirmed\/\" target=\"_blank\">Screen Rant<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More recently, Deadline broke the news that British actor-comedian\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/tag\/nick-frost\/\">Nick Frost<\/a> was <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/03\/harry-potter-series-hagrid-casting-nick-frost-1236350650\/\">nearing a deal<\/a> to play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid. Cryptically, on March 20 Frost posted to\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DHavILot523\/?hl=en\">Instagram<\/a>, \u201cIt\u2019s happening, it\u2019s actually happening.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Janet McTeer <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/03\/harry-potter-series-mcgonnagall-snape-casting-1236313232\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/03\/harry-potter-series-mcgonnagall-snape-casting-1236313232\/\">will portray<\/a> Professor Minerva McGonagal, the transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor house at Hogwarts, while Paapa Essiedu<a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/03\/harry-potter-series-mcgonnagall-snape-casting-1236313232\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/03\/harry-potter-series-mcgonnagall-snape-casting-1236313232\/\"> will portray<\/a> potions professor and Slytherin house head, Severus Snape.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/01\/harry-potter-director-chris-columbus-hbo-reboot-1236262082\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/01\/harry-potter-director-chris-columbus-hbo-reboot-1236262082\/\">\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Director Chris Columbus Praises HBO\u2019s Upcoming TV Reboot: \u201cA Spectacular Idea\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/06\/harry-potter-cast-draco-lucius-malfoy-petunia-vernon-dursley-1236427857\/\">slew of new cast members<\/a> includes Bertie Carvel who, <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/06\/harry-potter-cornelius-fudge-casting-bertie-carvel-1236427115\/#recipient_hashed=7453ee81fdc25773db7eef3055ad0be47c42a7a3ee7a419167342cc24e755f07&amp;recipient_salt=43de632e207e5f9d21ae1d9fb83d52f868fc664d1f616058e653230809e6732f&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=exacttarget&amp;utm_campaign=Deadline_BreakingNews&amp;utm_content=613301_06-08-2025&amp;utm_term=10215725&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=exacttarget&amp;utm_campaign=1749423620-Breaking+News+Alert&amp;utm_content=613301_6-8-2025&amp;utm_id=613301\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/06\/harry-potter-cornelius-fudge-casting-bertie-carvel-1236427115\/#recipient_hashed=7453ee81fdc25773db7eef3055ad0be47c42a7a3ee7a419167342cc24e755f07&amp;recipient_salt=43de632e207e5f9d21ae1d9fb83d52f868fc664d1f616058e653230809e6732f&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=exacttarget&amp;utm_campaign=Deadline_BreakingNews&amp;utm_content=613301_06-08-2025&amp;utm_term=10215725&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=exacttarget&amp;utm_campaign=1749423620-Breaking+News+Alert&amp;utm_content=613301_6-8-2025&amp;utm_id=613301\">as Deadline revealed exclusively<\/a>, will be playing minister of magic Cornelius Fudge. Lox Pratt (Netflix\u2019s <em>Lord of the Flies<\/em>) is slated to play Draco Malfoy, with Johnny Flynn as his father Lucius Malfoy. In more family castings, Bel Powley is set as Petunia Dursley and Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Harry\u2019s aunt and uncle. Additionally, Katherine Parkinson will play Ron\u2019s mom, Molly Weasley.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cast as Hogwarts students are Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, and Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Responses about a potential return from veteran guest stars in the series ranged from willing to coy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/08\/harry-potter-bel-powley-jk-rowling-anti-trans-views-1237030272\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/08\/harry-potter-bel-powley-jk-rowling-anti-trans-views-1237030272\/\">\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 TV Series Actress Bel Powley \u201cStrongly Disagrees\u201d With J.K. Rowling\u2019s Anti-Trans Views<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Slow Horses<\/em> star Gary Oldman told <em>IndieWire<\/em> at the red carpet for the 76th Emmys that he would be open to returning to the series, <a data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/09\/gary-oldman-harry-potter-tv-reboot-dumbledore-1236092639\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/09\/gary-oldman-harry-potter-tv-reboot-dumbledore-1236092639\/\">suggesting a portrayal of Dumbledore<\/a>. The team behind the reboot has not approached him yet with any ideas. The actor also shared that he felt his original character, Sirius Black, was not present in enough of the films.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the red carpet premiere for Season 3 of HBO\u2019s original series <em>The White Lotus<\/em>, star Jason Isaacs joked that he hopes to return in the role of Hermione Granger.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"\/>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As for a return of any of the film franchise\u2019s stars \u2014 like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson or Rupert Grint \u2014 never say never. It would certainly be a PR boost for the series and, while new actors have been cast in the primary roles, there are always flashforwards or the currently en vogue multiverse plot ploy that could create space for more familiar faces in the series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Daniel Radcliffe has said he is fine with sitting on the sidelines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy understanding is that they\u2019re trying to very much start fresh and I\u2019m sure whoever is making them will want to make their own mark on it and probably not want to have to figure out how to get old Harry to cameo in this somewhere,\u201d Radcliffe <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/07\/daniel-radcliffe-harry-potter-tv-series-not-seeking-role-1235430064\/\">told ComicBook.com<\/a>. \u201cSo I\u2019m definitely not seeking it out in any way. But I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world and I\u2019m very excited to have that torch passed. But I don\u2019t think it\u00a0needs me to physically pass it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-paapa-essiedu-hbo-series-severus-snape-1236194555\/#recipient_hashed=c9315ea0ef6c06f40c629b73e518d4f930ad674c9666f297d50197dcabaebc18&amp;recipient_salt=9a01cc8a1dcd2ad46119df242fb0d235185b2354885750052fbaf5787d837e66&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=exacttarget&amp;utm_campaign=Deadline_BreakingNews&amp;utm_content=570733_12-04-2024&amp;utm_term=31133901\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-paapa-essiedu-hbo-series-severus-snape-1236194555\/#recipient_hashed=c9315ea0ef6c06f40c629b73e518d4f930ad674c9666f297d50197dcabaebc18&amp;recipient_salt=9a01cc8a1dcd2ad46119df242fb0d235185b2354885750052fbaf5787d837e66&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=exacttarget&amp;utm_campaign=Deadline_BreakingNews&amp;utm_content=570733_12-04-2024&amp;utm_term=31133901\">HBO Circling Paapa Essiedu\u00a0For Severus Snape Role In \u2018Harry Potter\u2019 TV Show<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Radcliffe <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/05\/daniel-radcliffe-watch-max-harry-potter-series-1235926558\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/05\/daniel-radcliffe-watch-max-harry-potter-series-1235926558\/\">echoed these thoughts<\/a> in an interview <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=v3d0_tx-KUM\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=v3d0_tx-KUM\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">with <em>E! News<\/em><\/a> saying he is \u201cexcited to watch as an audience member.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When asked if he would be in it, he said \u201cI don\u2019t think so, I think they very wisely want to [have] a clean break.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another longtime Potter player who likely won\u2019t be involved is David Yates, who directed the last four movies,<em>\u00a0Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix\u00a0<\/em>(2007),\u00a0<em>Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince\u00a0<\/em>(2009) and\u00a0<em>Deathly Hallows Part One and Two\u00a0<\/em>(2010 and 2011). In addition, Yates took on the\u00a0<em>Potter\u00a0<\/em>spinoff\u00a0<em>Fantastic Beasts\u00a0<\/em>trilogy. He says there has been no conversation about his involvement with the series, and it sounds like he\u2019s ok with that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHuge affection and a lovely group of people I worked with,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/09\/harry-potter-max-series-david-yates-tiff-1235544983\/\">Yates told Deadline<\/a>. \u201cBut we haven\u2019t had a conversation since we finished it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s been about \u2018Let\u2019s just park it, and be done for a while,&#8217;\u201d he said of the <em>Potter<\/em> franchise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNever say never, I would say, but I\u2019m excited about moving on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is J.K. Rowling involved in the new Harry Potter TV series?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. A deal for J.K. Rowling\u2019s involvement in the series had been the biggest hurdle in its path to the screen: The author has creative control over any interpretation of her work. That agreement was finalized in 2023.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rowling and longtime collaborators Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts are exec producing, so she is expected to be involved in the decision-making on the series. David Heyman, who developed the films, was in talks to do the same. Rowling\u2019s Bront\u00eb Film and TV is producing with Warner Bros. Television. Bront\u00eb Film and TV was founded by Rowling and her literary agent, Neil Blair, in 2012.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMax\u2019s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I\u2019m 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,\u201d said Rowling in a statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When asked by a fan if she\u2019s writing the series, Rowling <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/06\/jk-rowling-praises-harry-potter-hbo-series-working-closely-writers-1236439354\/\">replied<\/a>, \u201cNo, but I\u2019ve worked closely with the extremely talented writers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-ralph-fiennes-cillian-murphy-lord-voldemort-hbo-series-1236193566\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-ralph-fiennes-cillian-murphy-lord-voldemort-hbo-series-1236193566\/\">\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Star Ralph Fiennes Says He \u201cWould Be All In Favor\u201d Of Cillian Murphy To Take Over Voldemort Role In HBO Series<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since Warners launched its streaming service, there\u2019s always been a goal to reinterpret Warners\u2019 biggest franchise for streaming. Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, taking the reigns after the merger last year, met with Rowling several times in the UK. He\u2019s even spoken up in support of the author, who has been involved in an ongoing controversy over <a data-id=\"1235259271\" data-type=\"post\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/02\/j-k-rowling-witch-trials-podcast-trailer-1235259271\/\">her comments on transgender issues<\/a>. Asked about the streaming event about those controversies, Bloys demurred.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think this is the forum [to discuss that],\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated and not something we\u2019re going to get into.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur priority is what\u2019s on the screen,\u201d Bloys continued. \u201cObviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That\u2019s our priority \u2014 what\u2019s on screen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As for how close the author will be to the series, Bloys said, \u201c[Rowling] will be involved. She\u2019s an executive producer on the show. Her insights are going to be helpful on that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rowling <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/06\/jk-rowling-praises-harry-potter-hbo-series-working-closely-writers-1236439354\/\">has said<\/a> she approves of the scripts she\u2019s seen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO\u00a0<em>Harry Potter<\/em>\u00a0series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!\u201d she wrote on\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jk_rowling\/status\/1936549633678860790\">X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The author\u2019s involvement could prove a hurdle to having the principals from the films involved in the series. Relations between Rowling, Radcliffe and Emma Watson can\u2019t be great, given the author recently said she was <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/04\/j-k-rowling-transgender-radcliffe-watson-1235881316\/\">\u201cbloody angry\u201d<\/a> over stances taken by trans rights activists, which she sees being in opposition to women\u2019s rights. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rowling claimed that \u201cthousands are complicit, not just medics, but the celebrity mouthpieces, unquestioning media and cynical corporations.\u201d Asked specifically whether she would forgive Radcliffe and Watson for their unabashed pro-trans rights stance on the issue Rowling replied, \u201cCelebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women\u2019s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bloys was clear, however, that WBD wasn\u2019t entirely dependent on Rowling for the project.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe TV show is new and we\u2019re excited about that. But, remember, we\u2019ve been in the Potter business for 20 years. This is not a new decision for us, we\u2019re very comfortable being in the Potter business.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-series-to-begin-shooting-summer-at-leavesden-1236195321\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/12\/harry-potter-series-to-begin-shooting-summer-at-leavesden-1236195321\/\">\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Series To Begin Shooting Over The Summer At Leavesden; Showrunner Reveals 32,000 Kids Auditioned For Lead Roles<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At his most recent appearance speaking on the show, Bloys said \u201cwe are totally comfortable with\u201d working alongside the author of the source material. He pointed out that the company had \u201chuge success\u201d with last year\u2019s\u00a0<em>Hogwarts\u00a0<\/em>video game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said he would rather \u201cdo what the creatives want to do\u201d than \u201clisten to fan conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much will the Harry Potter TV series cost to produce?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou know we make shows at this scale with <em>House of the Dragon<\/em>, <em>Game of Thrones<\/em>,\u201d said Bloys. \u201cI imagine will be that scale or higher. The shorter answer is whatever it takes to make a quality show.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Per Deadline reporting,  <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2022\/08\/house-of-the-dragon-hbo-biggest-marketing-campaign-1235096571\/\"><em>House of the Dragon<\/em> cost nearly $200 million<\/a> and was the subject of HBO\u2019s biggest marketing campaign ever, valued at over $100M in media spend (that\u2019s a combo of ad spot value and hard cash shelled out). So fans can expect a similar outlay for the <em>Potter<\/em> series \u201cor higher,\u201d according to HBO\/Max boss Bloys.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will there be other Harry Potter-related projects?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re free to do anything we want,\u201d Zaslav has said, before hedging a bit. \u201cSome areas we need to do with J.K., other areas we have the full ability to go forward. This is a full deployment on Max of Harry Potter. We can still develop other properties.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s unclear where those boundaries lie, but it is clear that Warner Bros. Discovery would like more Potter. Since he took control of the merged company, Zaslav has stressed multiple times his focus on franchises, with mining the<em>\u00a0<\/em>Harry Potter\u00a0IP identified as a top priority. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deadline understands that there may also be an opportunity for more than one of the above-mentioned writers to be involved and that Max is open to the possibility of developing more than one idea based on\u00a0<em>Harry Potter.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One such effort,<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/11\/harry-potter-wizards-of-baking-ratings-1236181750\/\"> <em>Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking<\/em>\u00a0<\/a>has already been a ratings success, proving yet again there is still an appetite for the IP.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long has this been in the works?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Max and its then-parent company WarnerMedia\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/the%20rumblings%2C%20first%20reported%20by%20thr%2C%20come%20after%20last%20week%20warner%20bros%20appointed%20its%20kids%2C%20young%20adult%20and%20classics%20president%20tom%20ascheim%20to%20manage%20the%20wizarding%20world%20and%20potter%20franchises%2C%20which%20includes%20theme%20parks%2C%20tours%20and%20the%20%249.1%20billion-grossing%20theatrical%20library%20that%20spans%20the%20harry%20potter%20and%20spinoff%20fantastic%20beasts%20titles.xn--%20under%20that%20remit%2C%20ascheim%20became%20warnermedias%20senior%20rep%20in%20its%20relationship%20with%20rowling%20and%20her%20representatives-z679g.\/\" target=\"_blank\">started exploring<\/a>\u00a0a potential\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0TV series a couple of years ago. At the time, Warner Bros. appointed Kids, Young Adult and Classics president Tom Ascheim to manage the Wizarding World and Potter franchises, which include theme parks, tours and <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/gallery\/harry-potter-movies-in-chronological-order\/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone-from-top-rupert-grint-daniel-radcliffe-emma-watson-2001\/\">the $9.1 billion-grossing theatrical library<\/a> that spans the\u00a0<em>Harry Potter\u00a0<\/em>and spinoff\u00a0<em>Fantastic Beasts\u00a0<\/em>titles. Under that setup, Ascheim became WarnerMedia\u2019s senior rep in its relationship with Rowling and her representatives, and exploratory conversations for a Max series got underway.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the Discovery acquisition was completed a year ago, that unit was disbanded and<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2022\/05\/tom-ascheim-exits-warner-bros-president-global-kids-young-adults-and-classics-1235021790\/\">\u00a0Ascheim exited the company<\/a>. However, the importance of the<em>\u00a0<\/em>Harry Potter\u00a0IP has only grown post-merger.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zaslav spoke about <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/04\/harry-potter-max-series-jk-rowling-1235322187\/\">his family\u2019s own personal connection<\/a> to the series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy wife and I, we read (the <em>Harry Potter<\/em> books) to each of our three kids,\u201d said Zaslav, going off script at the Max announcement. \u201cIt\u2019s really moving, for ten consecutive years, people will see\u00a0<em>Harry Potter\u00a0<\/em>on HBO; I mean it\u2019s really something.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED NEWS:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2024\/02\/harry-potter-series-writer-finalists-francesca-gardiner-tom-moran-and-kathleen-jordan-1235839792\/\">\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Series Closing In On Writer As Names Of The 3 Finalists Emerge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/04\/harry-potter-series-starts-search-for-showrunner-1235323363\/\"><strong>\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Series Starts Search For Showrunner<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/04\/harry-potter-max-series-jk-rowling-1235322187\/\"><strong>\u2018Harry Potter\u2019 Series A Go With J.K. Rowling Executive Producing, Set For 10-Year Run On Max<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There will be another season of HBO Max\u2018s Harry Potter TV series. The new Harry, Ron and Hermione have received their Hogwarts admission letters, as have the newest additions \u2014 four out of Ron\u2019s six siblings. Since those magical owl deliveries, the Ginny Weasley role will be recast for Season 2 due to Gracie Cochrane\u2019s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39948,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/deadline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Screen-Shot-2023-04-12-at-2.00.34-PM.png?w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39947"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39947\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}