A Harry Potter TV series is set to debut in 2026 on HBO and HBO Max
NEED TO KNOW
A trio of newcomers will play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley
In March 2026, HBO released a trailer for the first season, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Hogwartsis headed to HBO!
Harry Potter is one of the most popular franchises in the world with seven books, eight movies, a stage play and theme parks. Now, the boy wizard is about to cast his spell over a new generation in the upcomingHarry PotterTV series, which is set to adapt the beloved novels.
Warner Bros. Discovery first announced its plans for anewHarry Potterseriesin April 2023. At the time,Bloombergreported that each season would be based on a single book, starting withHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stoneand ending withHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
A year later,Daniel Radcliffe, who originated the titular role, shared that while hewouldn't be participating in the series, he was just as excited as fans for the new adaptation.
"Like the rest of the world, [I'm] very excited to watch as an audience member," Radcliffe toldE! Newsin May 2024. "I don't know if it would work to have us do anything in it."
The following month, authorJ.K. Rowlingshared that she hadread the pilot scriptand was pleased with the direction of the show. She also announced that Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod would serve as executive producers, with the former also working as a writer and the latter as a director of multiple episodes.
In March 2026, HBO releasedthe first trailerfor theHarry PotterTV series and revealed when the series will premiere.
From the plot to the cast and release date, here's everything to know about the newHarry Pottershow.
What will theHarry PotterTV series be about?
Unlike other book-to-film adaptations — such asThe Hunger Gamestaking theprequel route with new releases— the upcoming series "will be a faithful adaptation of the beloved originalHarry Potterbooks," per anofficial press releasefrom Warner Bros. Discovery.
The release adds that "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."
The eight-episode debut season is based onHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first book in the series.
"There is nothing special about Harry Potter — at least that's what his Aunt Petunia always says," reads thelogline for season 1. "On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic. But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past."
Will J. K. Rowling be involved in theHarry PotterTV series?
Despiteher controversies regarding anti-transphobic comments, Rowling will be involved with the series to ensure its accuracy to her original storyline, Bloomberg reported in April 2023.
In their official March 2026 press release, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed that Rowling will serve as an executive producer along with Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
Rowling previously shared her reaction to the picks for writer and director of the show.
"Both have a genuine passion for #HarryPotter, and having read Francesca's pilot script and heard Mark's vision, I'm certain the TV show will more than live up to expectations," she wrote onXin June 2024.
Who is writing and directing theHarry PotterTV series?
In June 2024, HBO announced that the new series will be written and executive produced by Gardiner, whose past credits includeSuccession,Killing EveandHis Dark Materials.
Meanwhile, Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. He is best known for directing numerous episodes ofSuccession, which earned him two Emmy Awards, in addition to helming 2022'sThe Menu.
After their hiring was announced, Rowling shared she "interviewed" both Gardiner and Mylod and was "thrilled to announce [them] as our director and writer."
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Will the originalHarry Pottercast members appear in the TV series?
It's unlikely that any of the originalHarry Potterstars will return for the new series, as Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed that it "will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom."
After the show was first announced, Radcliffe toldComicBook.comin June 2023 that he hadno plans to participate.
"My understanding is that they're trying to very much start fresh and I'm sure whoever is making them will want to make their own mark on it and probably not want to have to figure out how to get old Harry to cameo in this somewhere," he said.
As for whether he would want to come back if he were asked, the Tony Award-winning actor said, "I'm definitely not seeking it out in any way."
"But I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world and I'm very excited to have that torch passed," he added. "But I don't think it needs me to physically pass it."
Bonnie Wright, who played Harry's future wife and best friend Ron Weasley's younger sister Ginny Weasley, echoed similar sentiments in September 2024, sharing her excitement to see the series adapted for TV.
However, she was more open to reprising Ginny. "Never say never, never say no," she told PEOPLE in September 2024. "I would be [open], I'm ready."
Who is in the new cast of theHarry PotterTV series?
Most of the ensemble forHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stonehas been revealed.
One character whose casting made headlines in February 2025 is headmaster Albus Dumbledore. After weeks of speculation,John LithgowtoldScreenRantthat he was asked to play the iconic mentor which "came as a total surprise."
"I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid," he said.
During an appearance on theSmartlesspodcast the following month, Lithgow said that though his deal to play Dumbledore had just been set, people had already been stopping him to talk about the show. "Can you believethis has already started?" the actor said.
In April 2025, HBO announcedseveral more members of the cast,including Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
The same announcement also confirmed other castings that had previously only been rumored: Janet McTeer as Professor Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape andNick Frostas Rubeus Hagrid.
Meanwhile, the newcomers who will play the series' main trio are Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
When will theHarry PotterTV series be released?
TheHarry PotterTV series will premiere on Dec. 25, 2026.
How many seasons will theHarry PotterTV series have?
The April 2023 press release from Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed that the new show will be "a decade-long series," however, it's unclear how many seasons that will entail.
Bloys noted that it would be up to the showrunner to decide how to split up the seven books, but the first season would mostly revolve aroundHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, while potentially including bits from other books.
Season 1 will consist of eight episodes.
Where can I watch theHarry PotterTV series?
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stonewill air on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.
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