Grab your cloak, wand and chocolate frog – Warner Bros. Discovery is currently working on a brand new series based on the story of Harry Potter, coming to Max, HBO’s exclusive streaming service.
But what do we know about this new magic show? We did the digging, so you don’t have to. You can also read about how all the Harry Potter films are coming to Netflix.
Harry Potter HBO and Max Series Release Date
HBO originally announced that it would release the Harry Potter series in 2026. That was according to Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav (via The Hollywood Reporter), who met with JK Rowling to discuss the show.
However, in September, HBO and Max CEO and Chairman Casey Bloys confirmed to Deadline that it was too early to give a confirmed release date, but that it would likely be too late. 2026 or even 2027.
Director Mark Mylod, who also worked on Succession, has started work on the project just like the writers. However, the filming date will depend on the age of the actors – even though the original casting call stated a date of April 2025.
There will be more than a decade of content provided the show is successfully renewed year after year.
Cast and crew of the Harry Potter Max series
No cast members have been confirmed yet, but the main golden trio will likely be newcomers, just like Dan, Rupert and Emma were.
Casey Bloys said the following during the casting: “We didn’t go to agencies. We have our own internal process where we’ve thought about people, but we haven’t wanted to go out into the world. Now that the news is out… we are going into the case.”
An open casting call has since been posted on social media for Harry, Ron and Hermione. They must be aged between 9 and 11 years old and based in Great Britain or Ireland by April 2025.
Warner also claims that they are committed to inclusive, diverse casting…regardless of ethnicity, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law.
Francesca Gardiner has been named as showrunner and executive producer. She previously worked on Succession and His Dark Materials.
She’s not the only HBO heavyweight joining the show. Mark Mylod is on board as executive producer and director, a fellow Succession alumni with work also on Game of Thrones and The Last of Us.
We also know that JK Rowling is on board as executive producer. This news has received a lot of backlash due to the author’s transphobic views. She is joined by Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
No former Harry Potter actors have been confirmed to return.
Harry Potter HBO Max plot
Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed that the new series will delve deep into the original story covered in all seven books. The show will be told over ten years, so it could run for more than seven seasons, defying long-standing rumors of one season per book.
Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery
Here’s Warner’s official statement about the new show:
“The stories from each of Rowling’s Harry Potter books will become a ten-year series, produced with the same epic craftsmanship, love and care that this global franchise is known for. The series will feature a new cast leading a new generation of fandom, full of fantastic details, beloved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over twenty-five years.
“Each season will be authentic to the original books and Harry Potter, bringing 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 will be available to watch worldwide to view.”
This means fans can expect to see characters and plot points not explored in the films, such as Peeves, SPEW, and the Marauders backstory.
The casting call for the Golden Trio confirms that filming will take place in Britain, as expected.
How to watch the new Harry Potter series
The show is being developed for Max, HBO’s streaming service available in the US, Latin America and parts of Europe. In America, prices start from $9.99 per month for ad-supported content.
There’s no Max here in the UK – most shows are broadcast on Sky and Now. By the time this show comes out, Max may have expanded internationally. Either way, we’d expect a UK release to be planned, given the British heritage of this franchise.
