3 weeks ago
Harry Potter HBO Series Sets 2026 Debut With Full Cast
The Harry Potter books are being made into a brand-new TV show.
The show will be shown on HBO and Max.
It will start with the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
The first season will come out at Christmas time in 2026.
New kids were picked to play Harry, Ron, and Hermione after 32,000 children tried out.
Dominic McLaughlin is Harry, Alastair Stout is Ron, and Arabella Stanton is Hermione.
Famous grown-up actors like John Lithgow are also in the show.
The author of the books, J.K. Rowling, is helping make the show.
Filming started in the summer of 2025 at a studio called Leavesden.
The people making it plan for the show to last ten years, telling one book at a time.
HBO and Max's Harry Potter series, a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's seven books, premieres Season 1 at Christmas 2026.
Season 1 adapts Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; HBO plans a 10-year run, conflicting with early reports of one season per book.
Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter), Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley) and Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger) were cast after 32,000 young actors auditioned.
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, the Succession duo, lead the series; J.K. Rowling serves as executive producer.
John Lithgow plays Albus Dumbledore, Nicholas Hoult joins Season 2 as Gilderoy Lockhart, and production began July 14, 2025 at Leavesden.
The series was renewed for Season 2, with Ginny Weasley to be recast after Gracie Cochrane's departure due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Who
- J.K. Rowling (executive producer), showrunner Francesca Gardiner, director/executive producer Mark Mylod, and a cast led by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, Arabella Stanton and John Lithgow, produced by Warner Bros. Discovery for HBO and Max.
- What
- A new Harry Potter television series based on Rowling's seven books, beginning with Season 1 adapting Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
- Where
- Filmed at Leavesden studios and set to air on HBO and Max, with a licensing agreement for Canada via Crave.
- When
- Announced in April 2023; filming started July 14, 2025; Season 1 premieres Christmas 2026.
- Why
- Warner Bros. Discovery aims to deliver a faithful long-form adaptation of the books and revive the Harry Potter franchise, which CEO David Zaslav said has been 'underused' for more than a decade.
Reboot Skeptics
Adaptation Supporters
Author's involvement amid trans-rights controversy
Reboot Skeptics
Actor Bel Powley said she 'strongly disagrees' with J.K. Rowling's anti-trans views, and Rowling has said celebrities who backed trans-rights movements 'can save their apologies,' fueling criticism of her executive-producer role.
Adaptation Supporters
HBO & Max content chief Casey Bloys said Rowling will be involved and her insights 'are going to be helpful,' adding that the company's priority is 'what's on the screen' and the story's affirmative themes.
Whether a television reboot is needed
Reboot Skeptics
The son of original Dumbledore actor Richard Harris said he doesn't understand the need for a Harry Potter TV reboot, and Daniel Radcliffe said new creators will likely want 'a clean break' rather than involving him.
Adaptation Supporters
Director Chris Columbus called the HBO reboot a 'spectacular idea,' and Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav argued the Harry Potter IP has been 'underused' for more than a decade.
Key facts
- Network
- HBO and Max
- Season 1 Premiere
- Christmas 2026
- Season 1 Source Book
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- Showrunner
- Francesca Gardiner
- Lead Trio
- Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, Arabella Stanton
- Albus Dumbledore
- John Lithgow
- Production Start
- July 14, 2025 at Leavesden
- Planned Run
- 10 consecutive years
Quotes
J.K. Rowling
Author of the Harry Potter 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,"”
deadline.com
“"I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!"”
deadline.com
Sources
Related news
Directors decline Harry Potter series over Rowling's anti-trans views
Kit Harington Replaces Nicholas Hoult as Harry Potter’s Lockhart
Nicholas Hoult Joins HBO's 'Harry Potter' Series as Gilderoy Lockhart
Kit Harington Joins HBO’s Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets Season
Nicholas Hoult Exits Harry Potter Season 2, Role Recast
Bel Powley Disagrees With Rowling's Views, Still Loves Potter
Anaya Bangar Hasn’t Played Yet, So Let Her Play
