HBO Max’s new Harry Potter series. Image: Deadline
The magic returns to television screens this time around. HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced that production has started on their highly anticipated reboot series, based on J.K. Rowling’s bestselling Harry Potter books. The multi-season event series will adapt the seven-novel saga over a 10-year run, with season one premiering on HBO Max in 2027. Details are limited, but it’s already been confirmed to be the most book-faithful screen adaptation yet.
Story & Showrunners
Warner Bros. describes the series as a “faithful retelling” of Rowling’s seven-book original series, with each season covering one book in detail. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Ann Sarnoff stated:
“We would love to develop more original Harry Potter series, and we regularly talk to JK Rowling and her team. Whatever we do has to be true to the canon, and true to the ethos of the Wizarding World, and who Harry is.”
Series showrunner Francesca Gardiner is directing the first season, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. HBO has not directly revealed how many episodes are planned for each season, but the lead director of photography, Adriano Goldman, has revealed that season 1 of the series will have 8 episodes. He states:
“I’m not the only director of photography. There are eight episodes and three directors of photography, plus the second unit. But I act as the lead photographer, the main director of photography, because I shoot the first two episodes and the last one. In total, four of the eight episodes.”
Author J.K. Rowling is signed on as an executive producer and is reportedly deeply involved in story decisions, script approvals, and the casting process. Earlier this month, Rowling posted on social media that the first two scripts were “so, so, so good” in an apparent attempt to quell rumours from production rewrites.
Castings
At last, Warner Bros. has revealed their choices to play the lead roles, starting with the Golden Trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. There were approximately 32,000 children who auditioned for the lead roles following an open casting call in September, according to HBO.
Dominic McLaughlin is set to play Harry Potter.
Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger.
Alastair Stout will take on the role of Ron Weasley.
New casting of Harry, Hermione and Ron. Image: Wizarding World.
The three leads are unknowns, having been cast in a large international search for young actors who would be age-accurate on screen for the majority of the story (characters are 11 years old at the start of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone). The actors will receive professional coaching for their roles.
Production
The entire first season is currently filming at Leavesden Studios in the UK, where all eight Harry Potter films were shot. Shooting will continue through the middle of 2026, with post-production and visual effects work continuing into 2027. Leavesden allows the series to reuse and expand the sets built for the movies, including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Forbidden Forest, as well as new sets that did not appear in the films (some of which were built for the Fantastic Beasts series but have since been reconfigured).
Analysts predict the Harry Potter series is one of Warner Bros. Discovery’s most expensive gambles to date, a key element in their strategy for rebranded streaming service HBO Max to take on Disney+’s Star Wars and Marvel series. Executives also say the choice to retell the series at length in multiple seasons also allows them to return to the Wizarding World after the poorly-received Fantastic Beasts series.
Fan Reaction
Reaction on social media to the announcement and initial casting has been mostly positive.
One fan stated: “Ok. Yup. He was the perfect choice,” while someone else said: “He looks perfect as Harry, not gonna lie,” while another added: “HE IS PERFECT!”
As is the case with any reboot, many Potter fans are wary of replacing such iconic performances from Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Others expressed wariness about franchise fatigue or the general trend in Hollywood towards constantly reviving legacy franchises.
The Future
HBO Max has a long road until the premiere in 2027, and insiders say fans can expect announcements and additional casting announcements in the months and years to come. With two years of production work before the season premiere, HBO has plenty of time to build excitement and anticipation for the biggest streaming event of 2027.
Caitlin 
Clara 
Kath Smart