Harry Potter TV Series: Everything We Know So Far About HBO's Adaptation

The Boy Who Lived is coming back to life.

HBO Max announced in April 2023 that it had ordered a TV series based on the massively popular Harry Potter novels, with original book author J.K. Rowling attached as an executive producer. And though the expansive project's debut is still a ways off, we're going to make like Hermione and get a jump on our studying, via the following round-up of intel about HBO Max's sweeping series. (Update: HBO's sweeping series, that is. As of June 2024, the Harry Potter project is among several upcoming HBO Max shows to get rebranded as HBO originals, guaranteeing that the series will air on the linear premium cable network in addition to streaming on HBO Max.)

"We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way," HBO boss Casey Bloys said at the time of the series' announcement. "Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World. In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new [HBO] Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years."

But how, exactly, will HBO's version take shape? How many seasons will it run? Who will star? For answers to those questions and more, keep scrolling to see everything we know so far, and be sure to bookmark this page for all the latest news — until we can get in on that owl-based postal service, at least.

HBO's upcoming series is described as a "faithful adaptation" of Rowling's novels, so it stands to reason that the project will follow young wizard Harry Potter as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and repeatedly faces off against the villainous Lord Voldemort.

In June 2024, the network announced that Francesca Gardiner (His Dark Materials) would serve as writer, executive producer and showrunner of the HP series, while Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones) would direct multiple episodes and exec-produce.

Ostensibly, seven — matching the number of books in Rowling's series — but it's not completely clear. When the Harry Potter TV series was first ordered, HBO Max noted its plans for the show to span a decade. It has yet to be confirmed, though, if that equates to 10 seasons, or simply a 10-year lifespan for the show, regardless of season count. Eight Harry Potter films were previously made, with the final Deathly Hallows novel getting split into two movies; it remains to be seen what approach HBO will take with its own adaptation.

In May 2025, HBO revealed that newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton (pictured above) will respectively star as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

"After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron," Gardiner and Mylod said in a statement at the time. "The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there."

As for the adult characters, the following six cast members are among those to be confirmed: John Lithgow (3rd Rock From the Sun) as Albus Dumbledore; Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) as Severus Snape; Janet McTeer (Ozark) as Minerva McGonagall; Nick Frost (Into the Badlands) as Rubeus Hagrid (pictured below); Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch; and Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell. (See the full Harry Potter cast list here.)

There are currently no Harry Potter movie cast members confirmed to return in any capacity for HBO's series.

Daniel Radcliffe, who filled the title role in all eight Harry Potter films, previously told ComicBook.com that although he's "excited to have that torch passed" to a new generation of cast members, "I don't think [the show] needs me to physically pass it."

"My understanding is that they're trying to very much start fresh, and I'm 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," he added. "So I'm definitely not seeking it out in any way. But I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world."

Indeed, Rowling is on board as an executive producer, news that was met with many fans' ire after Rowling's statements on sex and gender in recent years have widely been deemed transphobic.

"Max's commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I'm 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," Rowling said in a statement when the Harry Potter series was first announced. Days later, having seen the criticism of her involvement with the show, Rowling weighed in more sarcastically in an X post: "Dreadful news, which I feel duty bound to share. Activists in my mentions are trying to organise yet another boycott of my work, this time of the Harry Potter TV show. As forewarned is forearmed, I've taken the precaution of laying in a large stock of champagne."

Production on the series officially began in July 2025 at England's Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The show is confirmed to premiere sometime in 2027, but a more exact release date has yet to be announced.