Harry Potter (TV series)
The Wizarding World is getting a fresh, immersive retelling like never before. J.K. Rowling's beloved Harry Potter novels are being brought to life once again, this time as a television series on HBO, promising a decade-long, faithful adaptation of each book. Prepare to delve deeper into the magic, characters, and intricate plots that captivated millions, as a new generation of wizards and witches prepares for Hogwarts. A decade-long commitment will ensure each book receives a faithful, in-depth season, offering more narrative detail than the original film adaptations. A fresh, diverse cast will portray the iconic characters, chosen through an extensive global search to bring new life to the beloved roles. The series represents HBO's largest production to date, involving a vast creative team and extensive filming across the UK to authentically recreate the Wizarding World.
AI Summary
The Wizarding World is getting a fresh, immersive retelling like never before. J.K. Rowling's beloved Harry Potter novels are being brought to life once again, this time as a television series on HBO, promising a decade-long, faithful adaptation of each book. Prepare to delve deeper into the magic, characters, and intricate plots that captivated millions, as a new generation of wizards and witches prepares for Hogwarts.
- A decade-long commitment will ensure each book receives a faithful, in-depth season, offering more narrative detail than the original film adaptations.
- A fresh, diverse cast will portray the iconic characters, chosen through an extensive global search to bring new life to the beloved roles.
- The series represents HBO's largest production to date, involving a vast creative team and extensive filming across the UK to authentically recreate the Wizarding World.
The Return to Hogwarts
After enchanting generations through books and films, the world of Harry Potter is being reimagined for television. HBO is developing a monumental series, pledging a faithful, decade-long journey through each of J.K. Rowling's seven beloved novels. This isn't just a remake; it's an opportunity to explore the intricate details and beloved moments that the films, by necessity, had to condense.
This ambitious undertaking is a massive co-production, involving HBO, Warner Bros. Television, Brontë Film & TV, and Heyday Films. Guiding this epic narrative are showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, serving alongside executive producers including J.K. Rowling herself. Warner Bros. Discovery has even declared it HBO's biggest production to date — a testament to its scope.
A Season for Every Book
The first season, officially titled 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,' will span eight episodes, covering the entirety of Harry's first year. Fans can mark their calendars: the magic is scheduled to begin on December 25, 2026, premiering on HBO in the United States and globally on HBO Max. It promises to be a holiday treat for families worldwide.
The Story Unfolds Anew
In its inaugural season, we'll follow 11-year-old Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger as they navigate the wonders and perils of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Beyond forging unbreakable bonds of friendship, the trio will confront the looming shadow of Lord Voldemort's potential return, a danger that only Harry, the Boy Who Lived, truly understands.
A New Generation of Wizards
Bringing these iconic characters to life required a global search for fresh talent. Dominic McLaughlin steps into the role of Harry Potter, the famous orphan who discovers his magical heritage. Alastair Stout joins him as Ron Weasley, Harry's loyal best friend and a member of the sprawling Weasley wizarding family.
Rounding out the golden trio is Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, the brilliant Muggle-born witch who quickly becomes the brains of their operation. Interestingly, Stanton will also lend her voice to a younger Hermione in upcoming audiobook adaptations of the first three novels, further cementing her connection to the character.
Legendary Mentors and Potions Masters
The adult cast features some truly distinguished names. Veteran actor John Lithgow takes on the revered role of Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts' wise and enigmatic Headmaster. Janet McTeer will embody the stern yet fair Minerva McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor and Professor of Transfiguration, with her signature sharp wit and imposing presence.
Paapa Essiedu portrays the complex Severus Snape, the Potions Master and Head of Slytherin, whose mysterious past intertwines with Harry's parents. Nick Frost, known for his comedic roles, embraces the warm-hearted, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, groundskeeper and Harry's first friend in the magical world. These seasoned actors promise fresh interpretations of beloved characters.
Hogwarts Classmates and Rivals
The halls of Hogwarts will be filled with many familiar faces from the books. Rory Wilmot joins as the timid but courageous Neville Longbottom, a fellow Gryffindor, while Lox Pratt embodies the cunning Slytherin rival, Draco Malfoy. Leo Earley and Elijah Oshin are Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, completing Harry's Gryffindor dormitory circle.
The chaotic but charming Weasley twins, Fred and George, will be played by Tristan and Gabriel Harland, respectively, with Ruari Spooner as their prefect older brother, Percy. Alessia Leoni and Sienna Moosah join as fellow Gryffindor students Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown, while Finn Stephens and William Nash take on Draco's loyal, if dim-witted, companions, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle.
Familiar Faces Return
Adding a delightful nod to the film series, Warwick Davis returns to the Wizarding World, reprising his role as Professor Filius Flitwick, the Charms master and Head of Ravenclaw House. Joining the Hogwarts faculty is Sirine Saba as Professor Pomona Sprout, the Herbology expert and Head of Hufflepuff, promising to nurture both magical plants and young wizards alike.
The Wider Wizarding World
Beyond Hogwarts, the series introduces a host of key recurring characters. Harry's miserable Muggle guardians, Vernon and Petunia Dursley, are played by Daniel Rigby and Bel Powley, with Amos Kitson as their spoiled son, Dudley. Paul Whitehouse takes on the role of the cantankerous Hogwarts caretaker, Argus Filch, a character he previously nearly played in the films.
Other vital figures include Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Draco's aristocratic father, and Bertie Carvel as the often-flustered Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Luke Thallon plays the nervous Professor Quirinus Quirrell, while Katherine Parkinson brings warmth as Molly Weasley. We'll also meet Anton Lesser as the mysterious wandmaker Garrick Ollivander, and Leigh Gill as the goblin Griphook.
Even legendary historical figures will appear, with Lambert Wilson cast as the immortal alchemist Nicolas Flamel and Marthe Keller as his wife, Perenelle Flamel. This expansive cast ensures that the rich tapestry of Rowling's world can be fully explored, from the darkest corners of the Ministry to the coziest nooks of the Burrow.
Crafting the Magic: Production Story
Before this new series, J.K. Rowling's seven fantasy novels, published between 1997 and 2007, became a global phenomenon. These books were famously adapted into eight blockbuster films from 2001 to 2011, collectively grossing over $7.7 billion worldwide. The cultural impact of both the books and films is undeniable, sparking a desire for an even deeper dive into the Wizarding World.
From Rumors to Reality
Talk of a Harry Potter television series began circulating as early as January 2021, though initial reports were quickly denied by HBO Max and Warner Bros. However, by May 2022, whispers intensified with reports of Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav meeting with J.K. Rowling to discuss future Wizarding World projects for the streaming service.
The official announcement finally came in April 2023, during a Warner Bros. investors meeting. CEO Zaslav unveiled plans for the series, revealing its ambitious scope: a decade-long production, with each season meticulously adapting one book. This commitment to fidelity promised fans an unprecedented level of detail, with the first season set to cover 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' in its entirety.
J.K. Rowling was confirmed as an executive producer, a decision that sparked controversy due to her public views on transgender issues. Despite some backlash, HBO and HBO Max chairman Casey Bloys reaffirmed her integral involvement. Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts also joined the executive producer team, bringing their expertise to the project.
The Creative Helm
The search for a creative leader led to a shortlist of top talent, with Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on 'Succession,' ultimately being hired as the showrunner and lead writer in June 2024. Mark Mylod, another 'Succession' alum, was brought on board to direct several episodes, with both also serving as executive producers alongside David Heyman, a veteran producer from the film series. This move highlights a strategy shift, as the series was moved from a Max streaming exclusive to an HBO network release, signifying its premium status.
Weaving the Narrative
A talented team of writers, including Andy Greenwald, Laura Neal, and Sam Holcroft, are working alongside Francesca Gardiner to bring the stories to life. J.K. Rowling herself offered positive feedback on the scripts for the first two episodes in June 2025, confirming her close collaboration with the writing team, though she will not receive specific writing credits. The creative momentum is strong, with writing for the second season already underway by November 2025.
The Global Search for Talent
Casting for the central trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione was an enormous undertaking, led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann. In September 2024, a worldwide casting call sought child actors aged 9–11 from the UK and Ireland, emphasizing a commitment to diversity by encouraging submissions "without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity." The search was exhaustive, with an incredible 32,000 actors auditioning for these coveted roles.
While the search for the child stars continued, negotiations for key adult roles began. By late 2024, actors like Mark Rylance and John Lithgow were being considered for Dumbledore, while Paapa Essiedu was eyed for Snape. John Lithgow entered final negotiations for Dumbledore in February 2025, with Janet McTeer and Nick Frost soon after for McGonagall and Hagrid. Their casting, alongside Essiedu, was confirmed in April 2025.
However, Essiedu's casting as Severus Snape, who is described as white in the books, sparked significant criticism from some fans. In March 2026, the actor revealed he had even received death threats and racist abuse on social media due to the casting decision. Despite this, the production stood by its diverse casting choices, prioritizing talent and interpretation.
The highly anticipated announcement of the main trio came in May 2025, with Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton officially cast as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. This was swiftly followed by a wave of other crucial cast members, including Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, steadily building out the vibrant world of characters.
Subsequent months brought more casting news, from Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom and Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, to key Hogwarts staff members like Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. The Weasley family grew larger with Gracie Cochrane as Ginny, and Tristan and Gabriel Harland as Fred and George, solidifying the ensemble that will breathe new life into the beloved saga.
Designing the Wizarding World
Bringing the visual splendor of Harry Potter to the small screen requires a visionary design team. Holly Waddington, an acclaimed costume designer, is meticulously crafting the wardrobes that will define each character's look. Meanwhile, Mara LePere-Schloop serves as the production designer, tasked with translating the magical settings of the books into tangible, breathtaking sets.
Bringing Hogwarts to Life: Filming
Principal photography commenced on July 14, 2025, under the intriguing working title 'Dark Train.' The primary base of operations is Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire, England — the very same magical grounds where the original film series was brought to life. Director Mark Mylod is at the helm, with Adriano Goldman serving as cinematographer, capturing the magic through the lens.
The scale of the production is immense; a temporary school for up to 600 child actors has been built on the studio lot, highlighting the commitment to their education during this decade-long project. Before filming even began, intricate sets were already under construction, and early location shoots took the crew to places as diverse as the remote Île de Sein in Brittany, France, and the iconic London Zoo.
Filming locations across England have continued to immerse the production in authentic British settings. Scenes have been captured on London's historic Borough High Street and at the bustling King's Cross station, with the Weasley family actors in tow. Even the British Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, reportedly visited the impressive Hogsmeade Station set built within Windsor Great Park, underscoring the series' national significance.
From the picturesque coasts of Cornwall, including Cadgwith and Kynance Cove, to the dramatic landscapes of Ashridge, which famously hosted Quidditch World Cup scenes for the original films, the crew is leaving no stone unturned. Filming for the first season is anticipated to continue until mid-2026, with plans already in motion for the second season to begin production just a few months later, ensuring a steady stream of magic for years to come.
Article
Harry Potter (TV series)
Harry Potter is an upcoming fantasy television series developed for HBO, based on the series of eponymous fantasy books by British author J. K. Rowling. Produced by HBO, Warner Bros. Television, Brontë Film & TV, and Heyday Films, it stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, with Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. The principal cast also includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Development on a Harry Potter series was revealed to have begun by January 2021, with plans for its production to span a decade as part of a faithful adaptation of the books. Creatively led by showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, casting for major roles began in November 2024, and confirmation came by April 2025. A casting call for the main roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione was issued in September 2024; after considering 32,000 actors, McLaughlin, Stout and Stanton were announced as cast in May 2025. Principal photography began that July at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, England.
The first season, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and consisting of eight episodes, is scheduled to premiere on HBO in the United States and globally on HBO Max on 25 December 2026.
Premise
Harry Potter (TV series)
In the first season, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger experience life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, forging strong bonds of friendship as they face the growing danger posed by Lord Voldemort's return.
Cast and characters
Main
• Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, an 11-year-old orphan raised by his bitter uncle Vernon and aunt Petunia. When he is accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he learns of his own fame as a wizard, having survived his parents' murder at the hands of the dark wizard Lord Voldemort as an infant. • Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Harry's best friend at Hogwarts and the second youngest member of the Weasley wizarding family. • Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, a Muggle-born witch from London; she excels in Hogwarts classes, and becomes the trio's brains. Stanton was also cast as the voice of a younger Hermione Granger in the upcoming audiobook adaptations of the first three books. • John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts and a famous wizard who mentors Harry. • Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts and the Head of Gryffindor House. • Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Professor of Potions at Hogwarts and the Head of Slytherin House who has a past with Harry's parents. • Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, a half-Giant and groundskeeper at Hogwarts. • Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, a fellow Gryffindor student at Hogwarts. • Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, a Slytherin student at Hogwarts who becomes a rival to Harry. • Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, a fellow Gryffindor student at Hogwarts. • Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, a fellow Gryffindor student at Hogwarts. • Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Ron's older brother and George's twin. • Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ron's older brother and Fred's twin. • Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley, Ron's older brother and a Hogwarts prefect. • Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, a fellow Gryffindor student at Hogwarts and twin of Padma. • Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, a fellow Gryffindor student at Hogwarts. • Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, a fellow Slytherin student at Hogwarts. • William Nash as Gregory Goyle, a fellow Slytherin student at Hogwarts. • Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, Professor of Charms at Hogwarts and the Head of Ravenclaw House. Davis reprises his role from the film series. • Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout, Professor of Herbology at Hogwarts and the Head of Hufflepuff House.
Recurring
• Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Harry's uncle, with whom he lives following the death of his parents. • Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Harry's aunt, with whom he goes to live following the death of his parents. • Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, the mean-spirited caretaker of Hogwarts. Whitehouse previously portrayed Sir Cadogan in the 2004 film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, though his scenes essentially did not make the final cut. • Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father who prizes his family's "pure" wizarding blood. • Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic. • Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. • Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Ron's mother. • Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Harry's cousin. • Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister. • Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns, ghost-Professor of History of Magic at Hogwarts. • Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch, the broomstick flying instructor at Hogwarts. • Bríd Brennan as Madame Poppy Pomfrey, the matron of Hogwarts hospital wing. • Leigh Gill as Griphook, a goblin employed at the Gringotts Wizarding Bank. • Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander, a wandmaker who owns Ollivanders in Diagon Alley. • Laila Barwick as Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin student at Hogwarts and friend of Draco. • Orson Matthews as Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch team keeper and captain. • Asha Soetan as Angelina Johnson, a Gryffindor Quidditch team chaser. • Eire Farrell as Katie Bell, a Gryffindor Quidditch team chaser. • Serrana Su-Ling Bliss as Alicia Spinnet, a Gryffindor Quidditch team chaser. • Ethan Smith as Lee Jordan, the Weasley twins’ best friend and Quidditch commentator. • India Moon as Hannah Abbott, a Hufflepuff student at Hogwarts. • James Trevelyan Buckle as Justin Finch-Fletchley, a Hufflepuff student at Hogwarts. • Cian Eagle-Service as Ernie MacMillan, a Hufflepuff student at Hogwarts. • Jazmyn Lewin as Susan Bones, a Hufflepuff student at Hogwarts. • Anjula Murali as Padma Patil, a Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts and twin of Parvati. • Aaron Zhao as Terry Boot, a Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts. • Scarlett Archer as Penelope Clearwater, a Ravenclaw prefect at Hogwarts. • Eve Walls as Lisa Turpin, a Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts. • Oliver Croft as Marcus Flint, the Slytherin Quidditch team chaser and captain. • James Dowell as Lucian Bole, a Slytherin Quidditch team beater. • D’Angelou Osei-Kissiedu as Graham Montague, a Slytherin Quidditch team chaser. • Dylan Heath as Adrian Pucey, a Slytherin Quidditch team chaser. • Cornelius Brandreth as Terence Higgs, the Slytherin Quidditch team seeker. • Eddison Burch as Miles Bletchley, the Slytherin Quidditch team keeper. • Henry Medhurst as Peregrine Derrick, a Slytherin Quidditch team beater.
Guest
• Mickey McAnulty as Piers Polkiss, Dudley's friend. • Lambert Wilson as Nicolas Flamel, an alchemist who gained immortality through his creation of the Philosopher's stone. • Marthe Keller as Perenelle Flamel, Nicolas' wife • Naomi Wirthner as Madam Malkin, the owner of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions at Diagon Alley
Production
Harry Potter (TV series)
Harry Potter is a co-production by HBO, Warner Bros. Television, Brontë Film and TV, and Heyday Films. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod serve as executive producers alongside J. K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman. According to Warner Bros. Discovery global streaming chief JB Perrette, the series is HBO's biggest production to date.
Background
Novelist and executive producer, J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by Rowling from 1997 to 2007. From 2001 to 2011, these were adapted into eight eponymous films, with the final book, Deathly Hallows, split into two feature-length films. Both the books and films have had a notable influence on popular culture; the books have been translated into more than eighty languages, and the film series is the fourth highest-grossing film franchise of all time, with the eight films released collectively grossing over $7.7 billion worldwide.
Development
In January 2021, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that a Harry Potter television series was in early development and that HBO Max executives were looking for potential writers. HBO Max and Warner Bros. denied the report, saying there was no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform. By May 2022, reports circulated about a meeting between Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Rowling regarding future HBO Max projects set within the Wizarding World franchise.
In December 2022, it was reported that Warner Bros. Television CEO Channing Dungey shared plans to expand the Wizarding World franchise. In April 2023, at a Warner Bros. investors meeting, it was announced that the series was in development. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Zaslav revealed plans for the series during a presentation for the new streaming service Max, the successor to HBO Max. The series would span a decade, and each season would be "faithful" to the book series. A search for a showrunner was underway, while David Heyman was in talks to executive produce after serving as a producer of the film series. The first season is expected to cover the entirety of the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997). After Rowling was confirmed to be an executive producer on the series, this caused backlash due to the controversy she previously attracted over her views on transgender issues, but HBO and HBO Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys reaffirmed her involvement. Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts were set as executive producers on the series by April 2023.
Deadline Hollywood stated that by February 2024, there was a shortlist of three candidates to be the series' creative leader, including Succession writer Francesca Gardiner. In June, Gardiner was hired as the showrunner and writer, and Mark Mylod was hired to direct several episodes of the series. Moreover, both of them and Heyman were announced as executive producers. As part of a strategy shift for content, Harry Potter was moved from Max streaming to HBO network release in June 2024. The series is planned to be produced for ten consecutive years, according to comments Bloys and Zaslav made in 2023 and 2025.
Writing
Andy Greenwald, Bijan Sheibani, Josephine Gardiner, Laura Neal, Martha Hillier, Ripley Parker, Sam Holcroft, and Ted Cohen serve as writers on the series, alongside Francesca Gardiner. Rowling offered positive feedback on the scripts of the first two episodes on social media in June 2025, adding she had "worked closely" with the writers; however, she was not going to get any writing credits. By November 2025, writing for the second season had already begun.
Casting
Led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, in September 2024, a casting call was released looking for child actors to portray Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, searching for children aged 9–11 as of April 2025 who were residents of the UK and Ireland, describing that agents were to submit "qualified performers, without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity". 32,000 actors auditioned for those roles.
From November to December 2024, various actors were being considered for roles in the series. These included Mark Rylance and Mark Strong for Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu for Severus Snape, Sharon Horgan and Rachel Weisz for Minerva McGonagall, and Brett Goldstein for Rubeus Hagrid. By December, a decision on the casting of Harry, Ron, and Hermione was expected to be reached "relatively soon". In February 2025, John Lithgow entered final negotiations to portray Dumbledore, and he announced his casting soon after. In March, Essiedu was nearing a deal to portray Snape, while Janet McTeer and Nick Frost entered negotiations to play McGonagall and Hagrid. In April 2025, Lithgow, McTeer, Essiedu, and Frost were confirmed to star in the series, with Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse joining the cast in recurring roles as Quirinus Quirrell and Argus Filch. Essiedu's casting drew criticism from some fans due to Snape being described in the books as white; in March 2026, Essiedu revealed that he had received death threats and racist abuse on social media because of the casting.
In May 2025, Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton were cast as Harry, Ron and Hermione. The following month, the additional cast announced were Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, and Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge. In July, Rory Wilmot and Amos Kitson were cast in the roles of Neville Longbottom and Dudley Dursley, respectively, while Louise Brealey joined as Madam Hooch, and Anton Lesser was cast as Garrick Ollivander.
In August, Gracie Cochrane, Tristan Harland, Gabriel Harland, and Ruari Spooner were revealed to have been cast as Ginny Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, and Percy Weasley, respectively. In September, Warwick Davis was announced to reprise his role of Filius Flitwick, which he previously portrayed in the film series. Additionally, Leigh Gill, Elijah Oshin, Finn Stephens, William Nash, Sirine Saba, Richard Durden, and Bríd Brennan were cast as Griphook, Dean Thomas, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Pomona Sprout, Cuthbert Binns and Poppy Pomfrey, respectively. In October, Lambert Wilson joined the cast as Nicolas Flamel and Marthe Keller as Perenelle Flamel. In March 2026, casting announcements for many Hogwarts students were announced.
Design
Holly Waddington serves as the costume designer, while Mara LePere-Schloop serves as the production designer.
Filming
The series is filming mainly at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
Principal photography began on 14 July 2025, under the working title Dark Train, at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, Hertfordshire, where the original eight Harry Potter films were also filmed, with Mylod directing and Adriano Goldman as cinematographer. A temporary school for the child actors was built at the studio, designed to be used by up to 600 pupils. In May 2025, sets for the series had reportedly already begun to be built. That same month, the film crew spent over a week at the Île de Sein in Brittany, filming around the Tévennec Lighthouse. On 14 July 2025, the first photo from production was released, showing McLaughlin dressed in character. On 17 July, filming was spotted taking place at the London Zoo, with McLaughlin, Powley, Rigby, Kitson, and Mickey McAnulty dressed in character.
On 18 August, filming took place at Borough High Street, in Southwark, London, with McLaughlin and Frost present. On 24 and 25 August, filming occurred at King's Cross station with the actors playing the Weasley family. In mid-September, filming took place in Hoddesdon with Daniel Rigby present, and at Wardown Park in Luton with actors believed to be portraying Lily Potter and James Potter. The following week, Deadline confirmed a report that William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, along with their children Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, and Prince Louis of Wales had visited the Hogsmeade Station set built at Windsor Great Park. In early October, scenes were shot in Cornwall, including Cadgwith, Carnglaze Caverns and Kynance Cove. On 21 October, filming took place on a rooftop in Skipton. By November, production took place in Ashridge with numerous cast members, which is also where the Quidditch World Cup scenes from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) were filmed.
Filming for the first season is expected to last until mid-2026, with production on the second season set to begin a few months thereafter. In November 2025, Bloys reaffirmed his intention to film these seasons back-to-back.
Post-production
Alexis Wajsbrot serves as the visual effects supervisor.
Music
Hans Zimmer and his music company, Bleeding Fingers Music, had been revealed to compose the score by January 2026.
Marketing
Harry Potter (TV series)
The teaser trailer was released on 25 March 2026, and became the most-viewed trailer in history for HBO and HBO Max with 277 million views in the first 48 hours.
Release
Harry Potter (TV series)
The series will premiere on HBO in the United States and globally on HBO Max on 25 December 2026. It was previously scheduled to premiere in early 2027 on HBO Max. The first season consists of eight episodes and is titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, after the title of the first novel.