13 years have passed since the release of the last “Harry Potter” film. Now HBO wants to remake the famous story – this time as a series. Everything that is known about this project so far can be found here on MeinMMO.
The success of Harry Potter is undeniable. With 120 million copies sold, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is one of the most successful books worldwide (via wordsrated). The films also thrilled millions of people around the world.
- The finale of the film series was the most successful.
- “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” grossed around 1.3 billion US dollars (via boxofficemojo).
- The film ranks 19th among the highest-grossing films of all time.
Furthermore, the “Wizarding World” franchise has continued to grow. Prequel films, a play, numerous PC games – Harry Potter exists in almost every medium. Only a series was missing. But HBO wants to change that now.
What kind of series is it? The new “Harry Potter” series was officially announced in April 2023. It is supposed to be a complete re-adaptation of the seven novels.
The whole project is being implemented by the US network HBO, which is also known for successful series like “Game of Thrones,” “The Sopranos,” “True Detective,” or “The Last of Us.”
Is there already a trailer? So far, there is no proper trailer. In a short teaser, HBO announced the new project, accompanied by nostalgia-inducing music:
“Harry Potter” series: Plot
Although no details about the plot have been officially released, we know that the series intends to closely follow the novels by J.K. Rowling. Accordingly, the plot should largely reflect the well-known story of Harry, the boy with the lightning scar.
This will especially please fans of the books. A series offers the opportunity to simply include more scenes from the source material. In film versions, due to the short timeframe, many details are often omitted.
Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO and Max, promises in an interview a “faithful adaptation” of the books (via deadline):
This new […] series will dive deep into each of the legendary books that fans have celebrated over the years.
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros., revealed in an interview (via thewrap):
We can’t wait to share a decade full of new stories with fans around the world […] .
What exactly this means is not yet known. If there are any new updates, we will add them here.
“Harry Potter” series: Start and Duration
When does the “Harry Potter” series start? A specific release date is not yet known. However, filming is said to begin in the summer of 2025. The series is planned for release in 2026.
How many seasons will there be? The series intends to dedicate one season to each of the seven novels. Accordingly, there will be a total of seven seasons.
Where can the series be watched? In the USA, the series will be available on Max (formerly HBO Max), the streaming service of Warner Bros.
In Germany, Max is not available yet. However, that should change in the next two years. If the new competitor of Netflix and co. keeps this plan, Harry Potter will likely also be available on Max in Germany.
So far, HBO series have mostly aired here on Sky or its streaming service WOW, or RTL+. However, the contracts seem to be expiring at the end of 2025. How things will proceed afterward is not yet known.
“Harry Potter” series: Cast
One of the most challenging points is likely the casting of the new actors. Many are so accustomed to Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson as Harry, Ron, and Hermione that they can hardly imagine other faces for the roles. The same goes for many supporting characters.
Will old actors return? For most roles, it is not an option to cast old actors. The release of the first film was already 23 years ago. Therefore, the actors are now simply too old for their original roles, or unfortunately already deceased.
Daniel Radcliffe himself made it clear, that he will not be involved in the new series and is very glad about it.
Are there any known actors yet? Currently, no actors have been officially confirmed by HBO. However, there are now rumors about various castings. Initial hints were given by an open casting call released in September 2024 (via castittalent). New faces were sought for the three lead roles: Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
The applicants had to meet the following criteria:
- Age: between 9 and 11 years
- Location: United Kingdom or Ireland
No special requirements were set regarding the external appearance. There also seemed to be an openness to a more diverse cast. At least the casting call contained the following addition:
We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting. We are seeking a qualified performer for each role, regardless of ethnicity, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity […].
Who are the actors? Insiders report of several actors whom HBO is likely considering as favorites for various roles. However, these are just rumors that may not necessarily relate much to the final cast.
- Dumbledore: Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies)
- McGonagall: Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters)
- Hagrid: Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso)
- Snape: Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror, I May Destroy You, Black Doves)
- Voldemort: Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders, Batman Begins)
- Molly Weasley: Jessica Hynes (Shaun of the Dead, Spaced)
“Harry Potter” series: Showrunner, Director, Producers, Filming Location
We already know a bit more about the team behind the camera. Many well-known names are involved. A downside for some: Author J.K. Rowling is also said to be involved in the series. She has recently been harshly criticized for various comments on transgender issues. However, it is not yet clear how much she will ultimately be involved in the series.
Showrunner:
- Francesca Gardiner (“Succession,” “His Dark Materials”)
Director (several episodes):
- Mark Mylod (“Succession,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Menu”)
Producers:
- J.K. Rowling (author of the source novel)
- David Heyman (all eight “Harry Potter” films, “Fantastic Beasts”)
- Neil Blair (“Fantastic Beasts”)
- Ruth Kenley-Letts (“Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life”)
The strong crew behind the series raises hopes for a successful remake. J.K. Rowling herself also believes so. Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod both have a “genuine passion for Harry Potter.” After Rowling read the script of the pilot episode and heard Mark’s vision, she was sure: “[…] the series will exceed all expectations” (via X).
Where will it be filmed? Just like the “Harry Potter” films, the new series is also set to be filmed at the “Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden” in London. Therefore, it could be that parts of the known sets will be reused. However, this has not been confirmed.
Many “Harry Potter” fans remain skeptical. Can the high expectations ever be met? Is a reboot really necessary, despite the generally successful film adaptations?
What do you think? Are you looking forward to the new series or do you have a more critical stance towards it? Feel free to let us know in the comments. If you’d rather watch the films, we have ranked all Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films for you in the ultimate ranking: All 11 Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films ranked – Which one is the best?
