What’s The Story With The Harry Potter TV Reboot?
By
2 months 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.
