‘Harry Potter’ TV Show Casts Major Characters: All the Details

Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service will be bringing fans a new scripted Harry Potter series. It is described as “a faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series.

This would be the second time the franchise has been adapted, the first being the beloved film franchise, spanning 8 films and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.

The series would put a new set of stars on the map, which is poised to adapt the books more closely.

In the interconnected universe of Harry Potter, there have been seven books made into eight movies, three Fantastic Beasts films, the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play, video and mobile games, consumer products, live entertainment (including four theme park lands), and exhibitions. There are also Wizarding World Tours and retail stores.

Below is everything we know about the series so far.

Who has been cast in the Harry Potter TV series?

John Lithgow has been chosen to star as Albus Dumbledore, according to Deadline. Lithgow himself confirmed as much to ScreenRant, saying, “Well, it came as a total surprise to me. 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. But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”

HBO, however, sang a different tune about the reports, saying in a statement, “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”

Deadline also reported that Nick Frost is being tapped to star as Rebeus Hagrid, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.

Previous reports hinted Mark Rylance was favored for the role of wizard Dumbledore. According to director and executive producer Mylod, per THR, 32,000 children have auditioned for all the young roles in the show, including the titular Harry Potter. Producers are setting out to watch between 500 and 1,000 auditions per day before casting will be decided.

“We haven’t made any final choices, but we’re workshopping with a shortlist in January. And there are some crackers,” Mylod revealed during a press presentation for HBO. “The cream of British acting talent, this incredible tradition of brilliant theater actors and, of course, we’re following the books with the canonical casting.”

When will the new Harry Potter show premiere?

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced during the company’s Q4 earnings call on February 23, 2024, that the initial season of the Harry Potter television series is slated to debut on the Max streaming service in 2026.

“We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, of HBO & Max Content, in a previous statement. “Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon, and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World. In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.”

When will the Harry Potter TV series film?

In a new report, as of December 2024, HBO’s Casey Bloys revealed that the series is supposed to begin filming mid-summer 2025, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

What is the plot of the Harry Potter TV series?

The series aims to cover seven seasons, each adapting one of J.K. Rowling’s acclaimed fantasy novels from the bestselling Harry Potter series. The hope is for the stories of the books to become a decade-long series. “Each season will be authentic to the original books,” Max promises.

Who is on the creative team for the Harry Potter TV series?

Succession‘s Francesca Gardiner will write, and Mark Mylod will direct. Per Deadline, Gardiner beat out two others (Tom Moran and Kathleen Jordan) to earn the job of adapting the books to screen anew.

Will J.K. Rowling be involved?

The author will serve as an executive producer of the series. “Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation, which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series,” Rowling said in a statement when the show was announced.