All aboard the Hogwarts Express because Harry Potter is back.
In announcing its rebranded streaming service from HBO Max to Max in April 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed its plans to remake J.K. Rowling’s seven-book Harry Potter franchise into a television series.
The ambitious retelling of one of the most beloved film franchises that spanned eight films between 2001 and 2011 is the latest effort to mine Rowling’s Wizarding World cinematic universe.
1. Is there a Release Date for the Harry Potter TV Series?
You don’t have to wait for long, my fellow Potterheads! The Harry Potter TV series is expected to launch around 2025 or 2026.
At a Goldman Sachs conference this week, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav explicitly pointed out the need for more Hogwarts magic. Ignoring the Harry-less Fantastic Beasts films, the CEO insisted the boy wizard presents a vast opportunity, claiming that the IP has been “underused” lately.
“We haven’t done anything with Harry Potter for more than a decade,” he said, before going on to note that when one examines the performance of Warner Bros. over the last 20 years without accounting for its big three: Potter, Lord of the Rings and DC, the company’s performance is “relatively flat.”
2. Harry Potter TV Cast: Who’s returning, and are there any new characters?
New actors will be taking on the roles of the main characters in the upcoming series. However, no one has been chosen for the coveted roles yet. According to Warner Bros. TV Group Chairman Channing Dungey, the casting decision will be made after they secure a showrunner.
When it comes to the possibility of seeing beloved stars like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, or Rupert Grint return to the film franchise, it’s best never to say never.
Not only would it generate positive publicity for the series, but with new actors taking on the lead roles, there may also be opportunities for flashforwards or the popular multiverse narrative to bring back some familiar faces to the series.
In announcing the series, Max released a brief teaser that offers nothing about the new series, only acknowledging its existence. But it includes the original film series‘ iconic typeface and John Williams’ score, which left some scratching their heads.
If the streamer intends to remake Rowling’s stories from the ground up, will it still use the same branding and music? Not likely, but until anything gets made, the original’s compelling iconography and soundtrack will have to do.
4. Will J.K. Rowling be involved in the new Harry Potter TV series?
This might be the question in the minds of the Potterheads eagerly waiting for the show. You all can sigh with relief since J. K. Rowling is a part of the TV series.
A deal for J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the series had been the biggest hurdle in its path to the screen: The author has creative control over any exploitation of her work. That agreement was finalized in 2023.
According to sources, acclaimed author J.K. Rowling and her longtime collaborators Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts will be executive producing the upcoming series. This means that we can anticipate her involvement in the decision-making process.
Furthermore, David Heyman, who played a significant role in bringing the books to the big screen, is reportedly in talks to be involved. The series will be produced by Rowling’s own Brontë Film and TV in partnership with Warner Bros.
“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,” said Rowling in a statement.
5. What will be the plot of the TV Series?
Early reports had each season of the series focusing on one book in the Harry Potter book series, which consists of seven novels. Still, Bloys said the project would run for “10 consecutive years,” which would seem to defy the 1 season, 1 book assertion.
For those who say Fantastic Beasts could be leveraged to provide 10 seasons over 10 years, WBD brass said specifically during the announcement that FB will not be a part of the series.
“This new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, about the project, which he also assured fans would be “a faithful adaptation.”
6. About Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a film series based on the eponymous novel series by J. K. Rowling. The series is distributed by Warner Bros. and consists of eight fantasy films, beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and culminating with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
The film series follows Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, and his journey to take down the evil wizard Lord Voldemort and save Hogwarts, the Wizarding School he attended, with his best friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.
The series was mainly produced by David Heyman, and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson as the three leading characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.
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