All you need to know about the upcoming series in one place.

Image courtesy of Aidan Monaghan/HBO

HBO’s Harry Potter TV series reboot is officially headed our way in 2027, and the film saga’s original Golden Trio are now beginning to formally pass the baton to the new Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.

The green light for the HBO Original reboot series was first announced on April 12, 2023, at a press event for Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO and Max (formerly known as HBO Max) and will mark the return to Hogwarts 16 years after the final movie in the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, hit theaters.

As previously reported, the streaming TV series will be based on the original books, not a new concept, with each season detailing one book in the book series. WBD shared in its press statement that the series will have a “decade-long” run, confirmed there will be an all-new cast, and ensured that the series “will be a faithful adaptation of the beloved original Harry Potter books.”

©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

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“My wife and I, we read [the Harry Potter books] to each of our three kids… It’s really moving, for ten consecutive years, people will see Harry Potter on [HBO]; I mean, it’s really something,” said Zaslav after making the initial announcement.

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A Harry Potter TV reboot has been on the horizon for the streaming service for years — back in January 2021, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that HBO Max was “engaged in meetings to find a writer” for the potential series. Recent projects associated with the franchise, including the Wizarding World theme park at Universal Studios, the Cursed Child stage production, the controversial Fantastic Beasts spinoffs, and the uber-popular open-world action RPG video game Hogwarts Legacy, have all been highly successful.

Below, find everything we know so far about HBO’s Harry Potter reboot, from casting confirmations and release dates to everyone who’s involved behind the scenes and how the original actors are reacting to the new generation.

When is HBO’s Harry Potter reboot coming out?

HBO’s Harry Potter reboot is scheduled for a 2027 premiere. Per Variety, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav had previously announced the show’s target debut for 2026 during the company’s Q4 earnings call on February 23, 2024. However, on December 2, 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery global streaming chief JB Perrette reportedly announced the date had been pushed back to 2027 during a tech and media conference.

“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. And I’d argue, may be the biggest event by the time we get to that series,” Perrette said.

Previously, Zaslav announced the series would run for seven seasons, adapting each book in the series. Zaslav shared that he, along with HBO and Max heads Casey Bloys and Channing Dungey, had recently met with J.K. Rowling about the reboot in London. “We spent some real time with J.K. and her team,” Zaslav said. “Both sides just thrilled to be reigniting this franchise. Our conversations were great, and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead. We can’t wait to share a decade of new stories with fans around the world on Max.”

When did HBO’s Harry Potter reboot begin filming?

As announced by HBO, production officially started on the new Harry Potter television series on July 14, 2025, in the same set where the original film franchise was also filmed. In December 2024, Max announced the series would begin production in the summer of 2025 at the Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, and they seem to be right on track.

To announce the beginning of production, HBO put out the first look at Scottish actor Dominic McLaughlin in character as Harry Potter, holding a slate from episode one, while wearing full Harry Potter attire, including his Hogwarts uniform with Gryffindor colors, iconic round glasses, and the character’s infamous forehead scar.

Image courtesy of Aidan Monaghan/HBO
One day later, HBO also put out the first look at Nick Frost as Hagrid on his first day shooting as the Hogwarts gatekeeper. In the pic, the actor sports a long beard and long hair while donning an army green coat and gray knitted guard gloves.

Photograph by Aidan Monaghan/HBO

Who will play the main trio in HBO’s Harry Potter reboot?

Photo courtesy of Aidan Monaghan/HBO

On September 9, 2024, the official Harry Potter Instagram account published a UK open casting call officially kicking off the search for the new leading trio. The post confirmed the casting call was for “children to play the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley” in the reboot.

The production looked for children aged 9-11 who, as of April 2025, reside in the UK or Ireland. The post also included a note stating that the show is “committed to inclusive, diverse casting” and encouraging “qualified performers” to submit applications “without regard to ethnicity, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.” (As noted by Forbes back in 2023, it was believed that this series could finally make room for the diversity Rowling has retconned in the years after the release of the novels, like Hermione being Black in the Cursed Child stage production and explicitly portraying Dumbledore as gay.)

“The first step for us is figuring out who this showrunner is going to be and once we get that locked down, then we can start having those [casting] conversations,” Dungey added to Variety in January. “The tricky part is the first two books, where the kids are on the younger end, around 11 or 12.”

In May 2025, HBO announced a trio of newcomers had been cast in the main roles: Dominic McLaughlin will play the role of Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will play Ron Weasley.

“After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron,” Francesca Gardiner (showrunner, executive producer) and Mark Mylod (director of multiple episodes, executive producer) said in a statement. “The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.”

Has the original trio reacted to the new trio?

Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 on July 11, 2011.

 Jim Spellman

Even before the new Golden Trio was cast, fans of the franchise were already anticipating Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson’s reactions to the new actors stepping into the shoes of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, the roles they originated as tweens.

Long after the results from the high-profile hunt were announced, the former protagonists began reacting to their successors’ castings, and there’s nothing but love. Appearing on Good Morning America in November 2025, Daniel Radcliffe revealed that he had written a letter to Dominic McLaughlin, the new Harry Potter, after the young actor was cast.

“I wouldn’t say that anyone who is going to play Harry has to [reach out to me], but I know a few people working on the production,” Radcliffe said. “I don’t want to be a specter in the life of these children, but I just wanted to write to him to say, ‘I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did — I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better time.’ And I do, I just see these pictures of him and the other kids, and I just want to hug them. They just seem so young. I just look at them and say, ‘Oh, it’s crazy I was doing that at that age.’ But it’s also incredibly sweet, and I hope they’re having a great time.”

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Radcliffe also revealed that McLaughlin sent him “a very sweet note back.” Appearing on BBC’s Saturday Mash-Up! Live later the same month, McLaughlin actually reacted to Radcliffe’s letter, saying “it was insane” to receive the letter “from the man himself.” He added: “My dad tapped me on the train and just gave me this letter. I read it, and then I got to the bottom, and it said, ‘Dan R.’ I was going mad, but I had to [keep it cool]. I was on the train.”

Similarly, Rupert Grint also told the BBC that he wrote a letter to Alastair Stout passing on the Ron Weasley baton before filming started. “It was really just wishing him all the best with it. I had so much fun stepping into this world, and I hope he has the same experience… It’s quite strange to have the cycle happening again. I’m really intrigued what it’s going to be like.” Grint added: “I think it’s great that it’s a whole new thing. It’s going to be its own thing, and I think that will be fun.”

Emma Watson has yet to publicly reveal if she reached out to Arabella Stanton to give her her blessing as the new Hermione Granger, but we will keep our eyes peeled for updates.

As to whether the main original trio could be making a cameo in the new series, never say never, but chances are slim. Back in June 2023, Daniel Radcliffe expressed his support for this new era of the franchise to ComicBook but admitted he was not necessarily interested in making a cameo. “I’m definitely not seeking it out in any way,” he shared. “But I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world, and I’m very excited to have that torch passed. But I don’t think it needs me to physically pass it.”
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Will anyone else from the original Harry Potter movies be part of HBO’s Harry Potter reboot?

Yes! Radcliffe might be a no-go for a cameo, but on September 1, 2025, HBO officially announced that actor Warwick Davis would be returning to the wizarding world of Harry Potter as Professor Filius Flitwick once again. The English actor brought the Charms professor to life, along with other characters, in the original film saga and, with the news, became the first actor to reprise the role in the franchise.

Photographed by Aidan Monaghan /HBO
Aside from the actor, to develop this new series, HBO is currently working in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television and will collaborate with executive producers J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts. Per Deadline, British producer David Heyman, who produced all eight original Potter films and the Fantastic Beasts movies, is also on board with the project as an executive producer.

While it’s possible that more actors could return for a cameo, in the years since the saga ended, we’ve lost a handful of iconic HP actors. To name but a few: Alan Rickman, who played Professor Snape, died in 2016; Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid, died in 2022; Michael Gambon, who played Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, passed away in 2023; and most recently, Maggie Smith, who played Professor McGonagall, passed away in 2024.

Who else will star in HBO’s Harry Potter reboot?

Jessica Howes/Andrew Crowley/Ruth Crafer/Lee Malone/Phil Sharp/Mike Marsland

Aside from the main trio, a bunch of new faces are also joining the project. On April 14, 2025, HBO confirmed in a press release that they had officially cast John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, with all actors serving as series regulars. Additionally, HBO has also cast Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.

“We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch,” Francesca Gardiner, the showrunner and executive producer and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer, said in a statement. “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”

The confirmed casting news comes after weeks of speculation and rumors around the casting of Lithgow and Essiedu. On February 25, Lithgow — known for his work on Footloose, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Interstellar, and more recently Killers of the Flower Moon and Conclave — told Screenrant that he had accepted an offer to play Dumbledore, before HBO could confirm.

Lithgow said: “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.”

The Hollywood Reporter had broken similar news about 24-year-old Essiedu (Murder on the Orient Express, I May Destroy You, The Lazarus Project, Black Mirror), who will now be stepping into the dark robes of Severus Snape, originally played by Alan Rickman.

Also, if you notice the actors look a little younger than their counterparts in the original film saga, that’s because the Harry Potter series reboot will reportedly remain faithful to the “canonical” ages of the characters in the books, as noted by Deadline. That means Snape will be around 31, and McGonagall will be roughly 56, for example. Of course, there’s some room to play with, seeing that Dumbledore is around 115 in the first book. (Lithgow’s age at the time of his casting was 79.)

Is J.K. Rowling involved in HBO’s Harry Potter reboot?

As mentioned above, J.K. Rowling is involved in HBO’s Harry Potter reboot as an executive producer, and it’s impossible to move forward and discuss the project without addressing the author’s past and present controversies. Rowling’s harmful and hateful anti-trans comments over the past few years have thrown a shadow over her franchise, leaving many fans feeling conflicted about a story they deeply loved. Original Harry Potter actors like Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson have all spoken out in support of the trans community, expressing that Rowling’s transphobic ideals do not reflect their views at all.
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While Bloomberg initially reported that the disgraced author — who retains creative control over any and everything Harry Potter — would be “involved in the series to ensure it remains loyal to her original material,” her exact involvement was not detailed then. Casey Bloys, the Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, later confirmed that Rowling would, in fact, serve as an executive producer on the series.

“J.K. is an executive producer, and her insights will be helpful,” said Bloys, per The Hollywood Reporter in spring 2023. “We are in the Harry Potter business. The TV show is new and exciting, but we’ve been in the Harry Potter business for 20 years; this isn’t a new decision. We’re comfortable being in the Potter business. J.K. is a very online conversation… It’s very nuanced and complicated and not something we’re going to get into. Our priority is what’s on-screen. The Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive about love and acceptance, and that’s our priority, what’s on the screen.”

The young Gryffindors in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

 Courtesy of Everett Collection

After severe online backlash following the announcement, Rowling released her own statement: “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.”

In November 2024, HBO CEO Casey Bloys said Rowling has “been fairly involved in the process of selecting the writer and director,” and he anticipated “she’ll have opinions on casting.”

At the time of writing, Francesca Gardiner has been tapped as the writer and executive producer of the Harry Potter reboot. Her previous production credits include Succession and Killing Eve. As a writer, she’s credited for His Dark Materials, The Man in the High Castle, and more. Mark Mylod (Entourage, Game of Thrones, Shameless) will be an executive producer and director. Oscar-winner Holly Waddington has also been tapped as the show’s costume designer.