What’s The Story With The Harry Potter TV Reboot?

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.)

Who Will Star?

Rumours are swirling surrounding the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series. Harry, Ron and Hermione have not yet been chosen – but we do know more than 32,000 children sent audition tapes to be considered for these leading roles.

The rumour mill whipped up a cast list in October 2024. 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 declined to comment – and there have been further progressions since then.

The Latest Harry Potter Cast Rumours

British star Paapa Essiedu is reportedly in final talks to take on the role of Professor Snape, who was portrayed by Alan Rickman in the original films. It’s a move that has generated some controversy in the fandom, with the general consensus being that Essiedu is simply too handsome to play notoriously greasy, sallow and unappealing Snape (sorry, Rickman). Meanwhile, does HBO really want to screen scenes of James Potter and the Marauders bullying a young Black boy in the ’70s, including hanging him up by his ankle? Surely not…

In other news, English star Janet McTeer is also reportedly in final talks to play fellow Hogwarts professor, Minerva McGonagall, played by the late Dame Maggie Smith in the original films.

While fellow Brit Mark Rylance was being eyed for Hogwarts’ headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, it seems American actor John Lithgow has clinched the role. At the end of February, the 79-year-old told Screen Rant he got the call while attending Sundance Film Festival. ‘It was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid,’ he said. ‘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.’

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.

First, however, the series needs to be filmed – and with casting still up in the air, it seems a little way off. We’re told when filming does commence, it’ll be here in the UK at Warner Bros. Studio Leavesden, where recent projects include Barbie (2023), Mickey 17 (2025), The Batman (2022) and Wicked (2024), as well as the original films back in the day.