A faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga begins in 2026, with new stars taking over iconic roles like Dumbledore, Snape, and Hagrid.
April 15, 2025: Accio nostalgia! The Wizarding World is officially returning to our screens — this time as a live-action series on HBO’s streaming platform, Max. A fresh take on J.K. Rowling’s seven-book epic, the new Harry Potter TV series is scheduled to premiere in 2026 and promises a “faithful adaptation” of the novels that captivated millions.
📺 A Decade of Magic in the Making
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav confirmed the series during a quarterly earnings call in February 2025. He revealed that HBO and Warner Bros. recently met with J.K. Rowling, who remains closely involved in the project.
“We spent some real time with J.K. and her team,” said Zaslav. “Both sides are thrilled to be reigniting this franchise… and we can’t wait to share a decade of new stories with fans around the world.”
The series will explore one book per season, although whether that spans seven or ten years remains to be seen.
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🎬 New Cast, New Era
While original stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint won’t return in lead roles, the torch has officially been passed to a new generation of actors.
In April 2025, six cast members were announced:
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
- Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
🎤 What Do the OG Cast Members Think?
Both Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint have expressed support for the reboot, though they don’t plan to appear in it.
“It would be very weird for me to show up,” Radcliffe told Access Hollywood. “I think the Potter books were always meant to be bigger than one version or one actor.”
Grint echoed a similar sentiment:
“It’s hard to let go… but it would be nice to pass the baton,” he told GQ UK.
Meanwhile, Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort) is open to reprising his dark lord role:
“Sure, of course,” he told Variety. “No question about it.”
🏰 What to Expect from the Reboot
According to HBO’s official statement, the reboot will dive deeper into the original stories, giving each season room to explore the characters and events that were often trimmed down in the films. While the original film series remains available on Max, the new show aims to reintroduce the magical world to both diehard fans and new viewers.
“Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon,” said HBO chief Casey Bloys. “It’s clear there’s an enduring love for the Wizarding World, and this is an opportunity to revisit Hogwarts in a whole new way.”
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