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Credit: Warner Bros.Your letter of invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will arrive soon. Yes, we’re talking about the Harry Potter TV series.
Talks of a Harry Potter TV series have done the rounds for years, but fans never expected one to be conjured up. However, in April last year, Warner Bros. announced that a Harry Potter reboot is in development for HBO.
The new series will be made up of seven seasons, each dedicated to one of the seven books from JK Rowling: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Related: New ‘Harry Potter’ “Return to Azkaban” Project Coming This Year
The new series will span ten years, just like the Harry Potter film series, which started in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and ended in 2011 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 (2011). Recently, it was reported that it will film in Leavesden studios, home to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour — The Making of Harry Potter.
It’s been nearly 13 years since Deathly Hallows — Part 2 took theaters by storm. That’s not a very long time in the world of film, so to no surprise, many Harry Potter fans aren’t exactly on board for the upcoming reboot, having already voiced their disbelief on social media.
Related: ‘Harry Potter: Magical Mischief’ REVIEW
But what will likely attract viewers is the fact that the reboot will be a “faithful adaptation” of the seven books. Despite how widely celebrated the eight Harry Potter films are, it’s no mystery that they omit many elements from their literary counterparts.
Following the announcement last year, JK Rowling shared the following statement via X (Twitter) account, The Rowling Library, in which she promises “a degree of depth” in the show the films couldn’t explore, which is sure to appease many fans:
“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.”
J.K. Rowling on the new Harry Potter TV series that will adapt the seven novels: pic.twitter.com/zjclkn4MiY
— The Rowling Library (@rowlinglibrary) April 12, 2023
But what else has been revealed about the upcoming Harry Potter TV series? Here’s everything we know.
Harry Potter TV series cast
Who’s playing the new Harry, Ron, and Hermione?
The Harry Potter TV series has much to live up to, not just because the films are beloved classics, but because their many actors have become synonymous with their Wizarding World counterparts. It’s almost impossible to imagine anyone replacing the likes of Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Gary Oldman, Julie Walters, and Ralph Fiennes, to name a few.
However, every Harry Potter character will be recast for the upcoming series, including the Boy Who Lived. Though it was reported last year that the reboot had already found its new Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger, Warner Bros. is yet to confirm anything, while a casting call is reportedly underway.
Recently, Warner Bros. Television Studios Group chairwoman and CEO Channing Dungey told Variety that it will be “tricky” to recast the franchise’s younger characters, especially the first years, saying:
“We’re in conversations with several different writers to figure out who’s going to be the person to lead that franchise for us. The first step for us is figuring out who this showrunner is going to be, and once we get that locked down, then we can start having those [casting] conversations. The tricky part is the first two books, where the kids are on the younger end, around 11 or 12.”
Warner Bros. has also said it is “making a concerted effort” to ensure the new casting is diverse. Should this turn out to be true, it’s likely characters such as Hermione will be portrayed by non-White actors, especially when you consider the fact that JK Rowling insists the character’s skin tone and ethnicity are never revealed in the books.
With Rowling serving as EP on the show and reportedly having the “final say” on casting, it’s possible Harry will be portrayed by a non-White actor too. The Harry Potter films have faced criticism over the years, with many feeling there isn’t enough diversity. Last year, Marvel star Anthony Mackie attacked the franchise for not having enough Black actors.
Meanwhile, there are rumors and expectations that actors from the films will appear in cameos. Daniel Radcliffe has repeatedly stated that it’s unlikely he will appear, while Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) has thrown his wizard hat in the ring. Neville Longbottom actor Matthew Lewis and Lucius Malfoy actor Jason Isaacs have also expressed an interest in returning to play different characters.
Related: New ‘Harry Potter’ Installment Set During ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ Gets Teaser and Release Date
Harry Potter TV series trailer
Is there a trailer yet?
You might be surprised to know that there is already a teaser for the Harry Potter reboot. Shortly after the series was announced last year, Warner Bros. and HBO swiftly conjured up a mini teaser. Well, sort of.
The bad news? Fans wasted no time criticizing the video online for being derivative of the Harry Potter film series, from the footage of Hogwarts to the use of the iconic John Williams score and even the same font!
Check out the first teaser for the Harry Potter reboot below:
Related: All 5 ‘Harry Potter’ Timelines Explained, Including the Reboot
Harry Potter TV series synopsis
What’s it about?
The Harry Potter TV series will consist of seven seasons across a 10-year period. Each season will be based on one of the seven Harry Potter books.
Harry Potter had no idea he was a wizard until a letter of invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry flies through his letterbox (hundreds of them, in fact). He soon enters the Wizarding World, where he discovers he’s infamous, as a dark wizard known as Tom Riddle/Lord Voldemort murdered his parents when he was just a baby.
Each of the seven stories revolves around a new year at Hogwarts, during which Harry faces new enemies while getting closer to his climactic showdown with Voldemort. But Harry isn’t alone — best friends Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid, Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, and many others are at his side.
It is unknown how many episodes will be in each season of the Harry Potter series.
Warner Bros. also recently alluded to more television shows set in the Wizarding World.
Harry Potter TV series streaming service
Where can I watch it?
The Harry Potter TV series will stream exclusively on HBO.
Harry Potter TV series release date
When’s it out?
There’s currently no release date for the Harry Potter TV series, however, Warner Bros. recently told IGN it is aiming for a 2026 release. In the meantime, why not revisit all eight Harry Potter films, which are now streaming on Netflix.
Why not also check out the open-world game Hogwarts Legacy (2023), which allows you to enrol at Hogwarts, where you’ll learn how to brew potions and master spells, and explore the Wizarding World, where you’ll uncover a dark secret that could change everything.
Related: Is Jude Law Returning for HBO’s New ‘Harry Potter’ Shared Universe?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 (2010), and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 are all now streaming on Netflix.
Lately, it seems like the HBO reboot has dominated the Daily Prophet news, but there’s a lot more going on in the Wizarding World. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London — The Making of Harry Potter is about to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) with “Return to Hogwarts,” there’s a video game titled Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions (TBA) in development, and a new Wizarding World-themed land is set to open at Universal Studios’ Epic Universe in Orlando.
This article was originally published on August 23, 2023.
Will you be watching the Harry Potter TV series? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!