After years of speculation and rumors, it has been confirmed that a Harry Potter series adaptation is finally in the works. The news was revealed during Warner Bros. Discovery’s presentation to press and investors on April 12th, as part of the announcement that HBO Max and Discovery+ are officially merging into a new service called Max.
The TV series will be a decade-long project, with each season based on one of the books in the hugely successful J.K. Rowling Harry Potter book series. According to Warner Bros. Discovery, the show will feature an entirely new cast from the films.
Max will produce the series with Brontë Film and TV, and Warner Bros. Television, while J.K. Rowling, along with Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts, will executive produce. David Heyman, who produced the Harry Potter films, is also reportedly in talks to executive produce.
“We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way,” said Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content. “Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World. In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.”
J.K. Rowling herself expressed her excitement about the project: “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.”
The announcement puts an end to years-long speculations on whether or not the Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be adapted for TV. The Harry Potter franchise has already seen massive success in the form of eight films, theme park attractions, toys, games, and the Fantastic Beasts film franchise. The films alone have grossed $7.7 billion at the global box office.
Fans of the beloved book series are sure to be excited about the prospect of seeing their favorite characters brought to life on the small screen in a new and unique way. The announcement of a Harry Potter TV series is undoubtedly one of the biggest entertainment news stories of the year, and fans will no doubt be eagerly anticipating further details as they emerge.
