What’s The Story With The Harry Potter TV Reboot?
By
2 weeks ago
Plus: where to stream the original movies in the UK
Announced last spring, the Harry Potter reboot will bring J. K. Rowling’s beloved wizard novels back to the screen – this time, the small screen. That’s right: it’s not a sequel nor a prequel, but reportedly a ‘faithful’ adaptation of Rowling’s original seven novels crafted by an all-star team at HBO. Here’s what you need to know.
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). (Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.)
What’s The Story With The Harry Potter TV Reboot?
The idea with a Harry Potter TV reboot has been toyed with since 2019, with various prequels and sequels for the small screen discussed – but eventually ditched. Flash forward to 2021, David Zaslav became the new CEO of Warner Bros and travelled to London to meet author J.K. Rowling to discuss possible TV shows in her universe. It wasn’t until March 2023, however, that things really started moving: Warner Bros closed a deal with Rowling for an adaptation, with the author playing a part in creative development. In April of the same year, the reboot idea was confirmed: the TV series won’t be anything new, but instead a faithful adaptation of Rowling’s original seven books, with seven 10-episode seasons beginning with the first in late 2026 or early 2027. Full steam ahead!
In September 2024, however, it became clear that casting still hadn’t happened, with a call-out for Harry, Ron and Hermione floating through the media world. Jump slightly ahead again to October, and it seemed more progress was being made – but how true is it?
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger & Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). (Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.)
The Harry Potter TV Cast
Rumours are swirling surrounding the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series, a reboot of the beloved novels for the small screen, more than 20 years after Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone hit the big screen. Harry, Ron and Hermione have not yet been chosen – but the rumour mill whipped up a cast list in October. Here’s who was suspected to star:
- Toby Woolf as Harry Potter
- Joshua Pickering as Ron Weasley
- Bronte Carmichael as Hermione Granger
- Lesley Manville as Minerva McGonagall
- Peter Capaldi as Albus Dumbledore
- Kristian Nairn as Rubeus Hagrid
- Angus Imrie as Professor Quirell
- Edward Bluemel as Professor Snape
- Lucy Davis as Aunt Petunia
- Jamie Campbell Bower as Lord Voldemort
So, is it real or not real? The HBO team has not come out to deny the news, but they also have not confirmed it. The latest? British star Paapa Essiedu is reportedly in talks to take on the role of Professor Snape, who was portrayed by Alan Rickman in the original films. Meanwhile, Mark Rylance is being eyed for Hogwarts’ headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.
When Will The Harry Potter TV Series Come Out?
The Harry Potter TV series is slated to air in late 2026 or 2027. ‘As you look at ’26 and into ’27, you begin a 10-year journey on the Harry Potter series, which we’re super excited about,’ Warner Bros exec JB Perrette recently teased. In the US, it will air on HBO; in the UK, it will air on Sky.
Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall, Miriam Margolyes as Professor Sprout, Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore and Alan Rickman as Professor Snape in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). (Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.)
The Cast Of The Harry Potter Films
A plethora of stars young and old featured in the original Harry Potter films, including a sad collection who have since passed away: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Helen McCrory and more. Some highlights from the huge original cast include:
- Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
- Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
- Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
- Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy
- Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
- Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall
- Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore, taking over from Richard Harris
- Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort
- Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange
- Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom
- Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid
- Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley
- Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood
- Gary Oldman as Sirius Black
- David Thewlis as Remus Lupin
- Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy
- Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge
- Julie Walters as Molly Weasley
- Brendan Gleeson as Alastor ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody
- Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick / Griphook
- James Phelps as Fred Weasley
- Oliver Phelps as George Weasley
- Mark Williams as Arthur Weasley
- Natalia Tena as Nymphadora Tonks
- Domhnall Gleeson as Bill Weasley
- Clemence Poésy as Fleur Delacour
- Fiona Shaw as Petunia Dursley
- Harry Melling as Dudley Dursley
- David Bradley as Argus Filch
- Miriam Margolyes as Pomona Sprout
- Ian Hart as Professor Quirrell
Where To Stream All The Harry Potter Movies In The UK
All eight of the original Harry Potter movies are available to stream on Netflix in the UK. If you don’t have a Netflix subscription, the films are also available on NOW with a Sky Cinema pass, and the films can be rented or purchased on Prime Video.
Whether you’re feeling nostalgic or introducing little ones to the wizarding world for the first time, autumn spells time for a rewatch – especially to honour the life and legacy of the late Maggie Smith.
If you can’t quite face a full, eight-film marathon, here’s a brief synopsis of each instalment:
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001): Harry discovers he’s a wizard and begins his magical education at Hogwarts, where he faces Lord Voldemort for the first time.
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002): Harry returns to Hogwarts for his second year and uncovers a hidden chamber within the school, battling an ancient monster unleashed by Voldemort’s younger self.
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004): Harry learns about Sirius Black, a notorious fugitive thought to have betrayed his parents, but later discovers Sirius is his godfather and an ally.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005): Harry unexpectedly competes in the dangerous Triwizard Tournament, where Voldemort returns to full power during a deadly confrontation.
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007): Harry forms a secret student group to prepare for the coming war against Voldemort, while battling the corrupt Ministry of Magic and its oppressive new regime at Hogwarts.
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009): Harry delves into Voldemort’s dark past with Dumbledore, while discovering a mysterious book belonging to the Half-Blood Prince and suffering a tragic loss.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010): Harry, Ron and Hermione leave Hogwarts to hunt down and destroy Voldemort’s Horcruxes, magical objects that contain pieces of his soul.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011): The final battle between Harry and Voldemort unfolds at Hogwarts, culminating in the defeat of the Dark Lord and the end of the Second Wizarding War.
