Credit: Marvel StudiosNew casting information has come to light regarding Warner Bros.’s highly-anticipated new Harry Potter TV show.
The Harry Potter movie franchise stands as a monumental achievement in cinematic history. Its eight films have captured audiences worldwide and earned over $7.7 billion. Adapted from J.K. Rowling’s globally beloved book series, the films transport viewers to a magical world filled with unforgettable characters and a story that resonates across generations.
Anchored by the performances of Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), the cast was further elevated by acting legends like Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall), and Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort).
Beyond the movies, its influence extends to theme parks, merchandise, and spin-offs like the Fantastic Beasts series, cementing its place as a cornerstone of modern storytelling. That said, while the Fantastic Beasts franchise was set to usher in a new era for the Wizarding World, the muddled movies have since been halted, despite Rowling’s original plan of a five-film series.
Warner Bros. seems unlikely to revisit the magical misadventures of its Harry Potter prequel series. The reason? Not just the lukewarm box office performance but the studio’s grand plans for an ambitious reboot of the beloved franchise.
An all-new, big-budget TV series is currently in the works for HBO, promising to bring the Wizarding World to life like never before. With a decade-long production timeline, each of the seven books in the Harry Potter series will be given its own dedicated season, culminating in a monumental new addition to the Wizarding World canon.
In a major development this past June, Francesca Gardiner was tapped as the series showrunner, while Mark Mylod joined the project as a director and executive producer. A familiar face to Potterheads, David Heyman—who produced the original film series—will also serve as an executive producer. Notably, J.K. Rowling herself will play an integral role in the creative process.
“HBO chief Casey Bloys told reporters at a press event on Nov. 12 that Rowling was ‘very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director,’ and her anti-trans statements ‘haven’t affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff’ for the show,” Variety revealed.
With these names behind the project, the Harry Potter TV series is shaping up to be a bold new chapter for the franchise—a magical endeavor that could reignite the spark for fans old and new.
That said, there is always the chance of backlash when reinventing something so beloved. Already, the reported casting of the project has drawn attention, with names like Mark Rylance and Paapa Essiedu reportedly in the running to play Professor Albus Dumbledore and Professor Severus Snape, respectively.
Recently, more actors have surfaced as potential contenders for some of the Wizarding World’s big names. In addition to Rylance, Mark Strong has been rumored to be in talks to star as Dumbledore, while Irish actress Sharon Horgan is said to be in line for Deputy Headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall alongside Hollywood star Rachel Weisz.
The news of the many names tapped for main roles comes after writer Francesca Gardiner revealed some 32,000 children had sent in audition tapes to play the lead characters of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. The trio were, of course, played by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson in the eight-film series.
But what of the loveable Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid? The late Robbie Coltrane memorably brought the half-giant to life in the movies, debuting in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Now, this new generation of Harry Potter storytelling will reportedly see Ted Lasso breakout star Brett Goldstein step into the shoes Coltrane left behind.
Goldstein, known for his role as the blunt Roy Kent in Apple’s Emmy-winning Ted Lasso series, joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2022 as Zeus’s (Russell Crowe) son Hercules.
Appearing in only the post-credits scene of Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder, Goldstein has yet to reprise his role as the Greek god in the MCU, but chances are he will show up again as the franchise exits Phase Five.
While Warner Bros. Discovery has not confirmed any casting yet, it has acknowledged the rumor mill, saying, “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
The HBO Harry Potter series is set to begin filming in Leavesden Studios in the summer of 2025, situating it for a 2026 release. In addition to the filming start date, it was loosely confirmed that each season would consist of eight one-hour episodes. As fans already know, each season will adapt one of Rowling’s books in its entirety.
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