Harry Potter TV Show: Release Date, Cast, Story, And Everything Else To Know (original) (raw)

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Warner Bros. must be in possession of the Deathly Hallows, because they're working on resurrecting the Harry Potter franchise yet again--this time, as a TV show.

"We've not been shy about our excitement around Harry Potter," Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav recently said during the group's February earnings call.

It's been more than two decades since the Wizarding World first came to life on the big screen, and 13 years since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 wrapped up the seven-book, eight-film adaptation. Since then, there's been a slew of other spin-offs, including the Fantastic Beasts films, the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play, and multiple theme park destinations.

But being a Potter fan has become complicated for many in recent years. In the summer of 2020, author J.K. Rowling faced backlash for spreading and defending anti-transgender rhetoric, despite trans readers and activists speaking out about how her doing so was harmful.

Still, the controversy hasn't stopped Warner Bros. from continuing to cash in on the ever-growing franchise, including announcing a new Ministry of Magic-themed world at Universal's Epic Universe, a new Universal Studios theme park coming to Orlando next year.

Given that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter isn't going to stop turning anytime soon, here's everything we know so far about the TV reboot being developed right now.

When is the Harry Potter TV show release date?

According to Max, the first season of the series is slated to stream in 2026. A specific release date has not been announced.

Where will the Harry Potter TV show air?

The series will stream on Max, which was originally known as HBO Max.

What is the Harry Potter TV show about?

Akin to the Percy Jackson series, which adapted a series of YA novels into films before taking the TV show route last year, each season of the Potter show is expected to cover one book in the series for a total of seven seasons.

Is J.K. Rowling involved in the Harry Potter TV show?

Warner Bros. executives, including Zaslav, recently visited London to meet with Rowling about the show, though they haven't shared specifics about what--if any--her involvement will be.

"We spent some real time with J.K. and her team," Zaslav told shareholders. "Both sides are just thrilled to be reigniting this franchise. Our conversations were great, and we couldn't be more excited about what's ahead. We can't wait to share a decade of new stories with fans around the world on Max."

Rowling notably did not make a new appearance in Max's 2022 Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts reunion special, save for some archival footage. Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, along with a slew of supporting actors, made appearances to reminisce about growing up on the set.

Who's cast in the Harry Potter TV show?

Casting announcements have not yet been made, and there's no telling if anyone has signed on for the series. However, Warner Bros. has said the cast will be all-new compared to the original film series.

Back in January, Chairman and CEO of the Warner Bros. Television Group Channing Dungey spoke to Variety about what needed to take place before they started looking for a new gang of British child actors.

"We're in conversations with a number of different writers to figure out who's going to be the person to lead that franchise for us," she said. "The first step for us is figuring out who this showrunner is going to be and once we get that locked down, then we can start having those [casting] conversations. The tricky part is the first two books, where the kids are on the younger end, around 11 or 12."

Open Casting Call

Max has launched an open casting call for the Harry Potter TV show. Open to children in the UK only, the casting call is looking to find actors to play the lead roles--Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

To be considered, you must be aged 9-11 in April 2025 and a resident of the UK or Ireland.

Head to the Cast It Talent website to learn more.

Never say never, but it seems unlikely that any of the big players would return to the wizarding world. There are a handful of reasons why, including the once-tween/teen actors aging out of their roles and unwillingness to attach themselves to another project with Rowling.

Radcliffe, who played the titular role, told ComicBook last year that he wasn't interested in the new project.

"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," Radcliffe stated. "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. But I don't think it needs me to physically pass it."

Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom, said earlier this year during a Harry Potter panel that he was "too old to play Neville again," but wouldn't say no to joining the reboot in another capacity.

"The character I enjoyed was Professor Lupin," Lewis told audiences at MegaCon in Orlando, Florida. "If I was to have a go, that would be one that I'd do."

Several of the actors have passed since appearing in the films, including:

• Michael Gambon (second Albus Dumbledore): Died in 2023 at age 82
• Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid): Died in 2022 at 72
• Leslie Phillips (voice of the sorting hat): Died in 2022 at 98
• Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy): Died in 2021 at 52
• Robert Hardy (Cornelius Fudge): Died in 2017 at 91
• John Hurt (Garrick Ollivander): Died in 2017 at 77
• Alan Rickman (Severus Snape): Died in 2016 at 69
• Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley): Died in 2013 at 65
• Richard Harris (first Albus Dumbledore): Died in 2002 at age 72

Some Potter alums remain connected to the franchise, continuing to appear at fan events and theme park launches.

Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) joined Lewis at MegaCon in February. Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) also reunited with Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), Jessie Cave (Lavender Brown), Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas) and Devon Murray (Seamus Finnigan) in late March at the Enter the Wizard World convention in France.