The Wizarding World is officially embarking on a new chapter, as HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery have released the first image of Dominic McLaughlin in costume as Harry Potter, signaling the start of production for the highly anticipated television adaptation. Filming is now underway at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, the same iconic location where the original eight Harry Potter films were shot. The series is slated to premiere in 2027, promising a decade-long journey through J.K. Rowling’s beloved books. BBC News and The Verge confirmed the commencement of production on July 14, 2025.
This new series aims to be a “faithful adaptation of the iconic books,” offering more “breathing space to explore the plot lines” without the time constraints faced by the film franchise, as stated by HBO. Each of the seven novels is expected to be adapted into one season, providing an in-depth exploration of the magical universe that fans have cherished for over 25 years. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has previously emphasized the company’s intent to fully utilize the Harry Potter intellectual property, which he described as “underused” in recent years, highlighting its crucial role in the studio’s performance. Deadline reported on Zaslav’s strategic vision for the franchise.
The casting process for the series was extensive, with executive producer Mark Mylod revealing that the team reviewed between 500 and 1,000 audition tapes daily, and over 32,000 children auditioned for the lead roles. The central trio has been cast with young talents: 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. These newcomers are joined by a stellar ensemble of established actors. John Lithgow will portray Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer is cast as Minerva McGonagall. Nick Frost will play Rubeus Hagrid, while Paul Whitehouse and Luke Thallon are set as Argus Filch and Quirinus Quirrell, respectively. The Dursley family will be brought to life by Bel Powley as Petunia and Daniel Rigby as Vernon. Other notable cast members include Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, and Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge. The Guardian and Variety provided comprehensive details on the cast.
Behind the scenes, the series is helmed by a formidable creative team. Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on Succession and Killing Eve, serves as showrunner and executive producer, and is also a writer for the series. Mark Mylod, another Succession veteran, will executive produce and direct multiple episodes. J.K. Rowling herself is an executive producer, maintaining creative control over her work. She has reportedly been closely involved with the writing process and has expressed approval of the scripts, stating they are “SO, SO, SO GOOD!” on X. While Rowling’s involvement has drawn some controversy due to her past comments on transgender issues, HBO has stated its priority is “what’s on the screen,” focusing on the story’s themes of “love and self-acceptance.”
The series is expected to be a high-budget production, with HBO CEO Casey Bloys indicating it will be on the scale of or even exceed House of the Dragon, which cost nearly $200 million. Fans will be able to watch the series on Max, with availability also extended to cable subscribers via HBO. As for the original film cast, actors like Daniel Radcliffe have expressed support for the new series but confirmed they will not be returning for physical cameos, wishing the new production a “clean break” to make its own mark. This new adaptation promises to immerse audiences deeper into the magical world, bringing the beloved stories to a new generation with unprecedented detail and scope.
