HBOHBO is sending audiences back to the world of witchcraft and wizardry with a new Harry Potter TV show, with a completely new cast and plans to adapt all seven books.
There’s no denying that even now, there’s still a market for a series set in Harry Potter. Some fans have been calling for a new TV show since the last of the Harry Potter movies (Deathly Hallows Part 2) released in 2011, and now, their wish is being granted.
Eventually, another adaptation of the Harry Potter books was confirmed — and met with a mostly negative response. Yet, excitement is starting to build as the project has confirmed its biggest roles.
So, here’s everything we know so far about the TV adaptation, including major cast news.
Does the Harry Potter TV show have a release date?
The Harry Potter TV show will be released on HBO in late 2026/early 2027, but there’s no exact date right now.
MaxThe show was announced as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s presentation on April 12, 2023, primarily to reveal that HBO Max and Discovery+ would merge into a new streaming service named Max.
Originally, the show was planned to release in 2026, though a significant delay was announced at the tail end of 2024. Describing it as a “10-year journey” for the cast and crew, Warner Bros’ JB Perrette claimed it might end up being “the biggest event” in the world by the time it comes out.
Filming began mid-summer 2025, and reports indicate Season 1 and Season 2 are being filmed back to back.
Warner Bros. Disvoery CEO Zaslav previously told investors the series was eyeing a 2026 release on Max. However, the show has now pivoted as part of a streaming shake-up, with both Harry Potter and the IT prequel Welcome to Derry moving from Max to HBO, as reported by Deadline.
Francesca Gardiner is confirmed to be the series showrunner, with Mark Mylod serving as an executive producer and director of multiple episodes.
Who’s in the new Harry Potter cast?
Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter in the new TV show, starring alongside Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
This came off the back of an enormous casting call, with more than 30,000 kids auditioning for the coveted roles.
“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,” showrunner Francesca Gardiner said.
“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.”
On July 14, 2025, the studio shared its first official look at McLaughlin as the titular wizard:
The first actor to be cast in the upcoming Harry Potter TV show was John Lithgow, tasked with portraying the iconic Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore.
In the original films, Richard Harris portrayed Dumbledore in The Philosophers’ Stone and Chamber of Secrets, but after his death, Michael Gambon took over for the remaining six films.
Five other roles have since been confirmed:
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrel
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
Reacting to his casting on Instagram, Frost wrote: “Thank you for trusting me with such a loyal, gentle and courageous half-giant like Rubeus Hagrid. Robbie, I promise I won’t let you down.”
We later got our first look at Frost’s Hagrid, and he certainly looks the part:
On June 9, 2025, a further nine roles were confirmed, including:
- Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
- Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
- Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
- Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil
- Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown
- Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
- Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
- Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
On July 14, 2025, four more roles were announced: Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
The new actor for Voldemort has reportedly been locked in, though it’s yet to be announced publicly, and according to Redanian Intelligence, HBO is looking to keep it that way. There’s a chance we don’t learn of Voldemort’s casting until the character appears on screen.
Are any original actors returning?
The original Harry Potter cast will not be the stars of the TV show. Some supporting cast could return or cameo but it’s unlikely.
Warner Bros.A press release confirmed the series will have a “new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail, much-loved characters, and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years.”
Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint have publicly spoken out against JK Rowling’s views on transgender people, so don’t hold your breath waiting for those actors to appear.
As for the original supporting cast, there’s a chance they could appear in some capacity, likely in cameo-style roles. But given this would muddy the canon and make things confusing for no good reason, we don’t expect it to happen.
Harry Potter TV show plot details
The Harry Potter show will last 10 years and faithfully adapt all seven books, following Harry, Ron, and Hermione at Hogwarts and beyond.
There have been conflicting reports over how many episodes will make up the first two seasons. While initial rumors pointed to six episodes for both Season 1 and Season 2, reliable insider Daniel Richtman has since reported both seasons with consist of eight episodes.
Max previously said it will be “produced with the same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for… each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”
According to Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, it will be a “faithful adaptation.”
As well as allowing for the story to be told on screen in more depth than the movies, it also paves the way for a new generation of actors to grow up in their roles as the original kids did.
Warner Bros.In many ways, TV, as a long-form format, makes sense for a long book series like Harry Potter. Television is the home of long character arcs, expansive world-building, and natural character development. There’s more time to tell more story.
The drawbacks are in the budget and scope. Even the most expensive TV series typically won’t visually stand up to a big blockbuster. While the first couple of Harry Potter movies can be hammy in their effects, much of the film series was shot on-location, and the CGI improved with every entry.
While even the best movies couldn’t go into depth to the same degree a long TV series can, they were beloved by fans and well-received by critics. Holding a candle to their legacy will be hard. Not to mention the retreading of the same major story beats.
Is there a trailer?
There’s an announcement teaser for the Harry Potter TV show but no full trailer yet.
If the series does release in 2026, then late 2025 would be a good time for a teaser trailer.
The announcement video revealed the logo for the show, which is the same as the movies. It also features the theme, composed by John Williams, just like the movies.
How to watch the Harry Potter TV show
The Harry Potter TV show will broadcast exclusively on HBO in the US in 2027.
It’s not clear how this will impact the worldwide release of the Harry Potter TV show.
How many seasons will there be?
The Harry Potter TV show is expected to have seven seasons, one per book. This is unconfirmed.
Max previously said it will be a “decade-long series,” which fits with the timeline of seven seasons when breaks between filming and any potential delays are accounted for.
Is JK Rowling involved in the Harry Potter TV show?
JK Rowling is an executive producer on the Harry Potter TV show, so she is involved financially and creatively to some degree.
HBO has vehemently defended her involvement, claiming the production will “only benefit from her involvement.”
Wizarding World is a trademark of Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. She is compensated for content that uses the world and characters and is often creatively involved, as is the case here. Some fans say they will not watch it for that reason.
For more Harry Potter houses and lore, find out how to watch the Harry Potter movies, or learn about Horcruxes and if Harry Potter is on Netflix.
