HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter series is taking shape, with pre-production officially underway and a tentative release window set for late 2026 or early 2027. Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, confirmed in a recent interview with Deadline that the project has entered its initial stages of development.
According to Bloys, the writing team has begun work on the series, and director Mark Mylod has started his involvement. The production is currently in the process of hiring department heads and casting key roles. This news comes on the heels of Warner Bros. Television’s announcement of an open casting call in the UK for the iconic trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.
The casting call specifies that actors should be between 9 and 11 years old by spring 2025, though Bloys clarified that this doesn’t necessarily indicate the start of production. ‘We haven’t announced any production start date,’ Bloys stated, emphasizing that it’s too early to lock in an exact airdate for the series.
The Harry Potter series is set to be a major undertaking for HBO, with plans to adapt each of J.K. Rowling’s seven books into individual seasons. This ambitious project will begin with ‘The Philosopher’s Stone’ and conclude with ‘Deathly Hallows,’ offering fans a comprehensive retelling of the beloved story.
The creative team behind the series boasts impressive credentials. Francesca Gardiner has been appointed as showrunner and writer, while Mark Mylod is set to direct multiple episodes. Both Gardiner and Mylod have previously collaborated on HBO’s critically acclaimed drama ‘Succession,’ suggesting a high level of quality for the Harry Potter adaptation.
Executive producers for the series include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, David Heyman, Gardiner, and Mylod. The production is a joint effort between HBO, Brontë Film and TV, and Warner Bros. Television, bringing together a wealth of experience in high-end television production.
While the announcement has generated considerable excitement among fans, reactions have been mixed. Some viewers are eagerly anticipating a fresh take on the wizarding world, while others express concerns about revisiting such an iconic franchise. Despite these divided opinions, the series is poised to become one of HBO’s flagship projects, given the enduring popularity of the Harry Potter brand and the caliber of talent involved.
The Harry Potter series represents a significant investment for HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery, with the potential to attract a new generation of viewers while satisfying long-time fans. As the project moves forward, it will likely face the challenge of balancing nostalgia with innovation, aiming to capture the magic of the original books while offering a fresh perspective for television audiences.
As pre-production continues and more details emerge, fans and industry observers alike will be closely watching the development of this ambitious series. With its late 2026 target release, HBO’s Harry Potter adaptation is set to be one of the most anticipated television events of the coming years, promising to reignite the wizarding world for a new era of streaming content.
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