Update: HBO Max have released a second teaser trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first season of the upcoming television series!
See the up-to-date cast list here
Will the TV adaptation be faithful to the Harry Potter books?
Yep! The show has promised to be "authentic to the original books", but that is not to say the show won’t feature things we didn’t see in the films. In a statement, J.K. Rowling said she was looking forward to allowing for a “degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series” – so we would certainly hope the series will unturn new stones we didn’t get to see from the films.
Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, added that the series would “deep dive into each of the iconic books”, while showrunner Francesca Gardiner promises we will see "things we haven't seen". She also spoke about staying true to the canonical ages of the characters ("Snape is 31 in 1991, so it's a very different vibe") while director Mark Mylod was keen to dig into the "depths and crevices" of Hogwarts.
Who is directing the show?
Mark Mylod (who has also lent his talents to the likes of Succession alongside episodes of Game of Thrones in the past) will serve as both Executive Producer and direct multiple episodes.
Who is the showrunner?
That would be the aforementioned Francesca Gardiner, who will serve as showrunner for the series. She is a self-confessed Harry Potter mega-fan, and has worked on previous HBO series, Succession.
However, we can now reveal that she is set to be joined by Jon Brown as co-showrunner for season two. Not only has he worked with Francesca as one of the writers on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, but he and Francesca have both collaborated on the incredibly successful Succession.
With the series featuring young actors who grow up fast and with the overlap between the production of season one and two, Francesca explained that a second showrunner was crucial to keeping up the momentum when it came to creating such a complex and wonderfully intricate show.
Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, echoed this sentiment revealing that they wanted to do their best to ensure there wasn’t a huge gap in production.
Where will the show be filmed?
The wizarding world is going back to its roots, returning to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden for filming.
When will production start?
Production for the first season is well underway and the secnd official teaser for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has been released! Click here to watch the trailer and dive deeper into everything that it revealed.
We can excitingly announce that a second season of Harry Potter is officially on its way – and production is set to begin sooner than you may think. That’s right, filming is scheduled to begin this autumn ahead of the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone this Christmas.
What will the show be called?
We can now reveal that the first season of the show will be called Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
What will J.K. Rowling's involvement be?
J.K. Rowling will serve as one of the executive producers on the series.
She will be joined by fellow executive producers Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, David Heyman of Heyday Films. Francesca Gardiner (showrunner) also serves as executive producer alongside director Mark Mylod.
Who will star in the show?
To see every cast member announced so far for the first two seasons, Apparate here. This is just a taster of the core cast...
Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton is Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will take on Ron Weasley!
John Lithgow is confirmed as Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts and Harry’s future mentor. Lithgow is a 6-time Emmy winner, 2-time Tony winner and a BAFTA and Oscar nominee. Most recently, he won the 2025 Best Actor Oliver Award for his role in the West End theatre production, Giant.
Tony, Golden Globe and Olivier winner and Oscar and Emmy nominee Janet McTeer will portray Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House, Professor McGonagall.
Paapa Essiedu who was Emmy and BAFTA nominated for his turn in comedy-drama I May Destroy You, takes on the surly Potions Professor, Severus Snape, while BIFA nominated actor Nick Frost will be taking on the mantle of beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid.
The show promises to feature “a new cast for a new generation”, with more names to come.
Who is composing the new score?
Hans Zimmer, the supremely talented, two-time Oscar winning musical maestro behind many iconic films such as Gladiator and Dune Parts One and Two, will be playing a huge role in bringing the wizarding world to life.
He will be working in conjunction with Bleeding Fingers Music, the Emmy Award-winning collective of composers cofounded by Hans Zimmer, Russell Emanuel and Steven Kofsky, to create the magical score.
Who is on the creative team?
There is much excitement happening behind the camera as well, with the creative department heads for the series now confirmed as follows: Adriano Goldman (Director of Photography), Cate Hall (Hair and Makeup Designer), Paul Herbert (Stunt Coordinator), Mark Holt (SFX Supervisor), Mara LePere-Schloop (Production Designer), Naomi Moore (Set Decorator), John Nolan (Creature Effects Design Supervisor), Alexis Wajsbrot (VFX Supervisor), Dom Sidoli (VFX Producer), and Holly Waddington (Costume Designer).
How long will the series be?
Although we don’t know exactly, the original announcement described the show as being a “decade-long series”, which should keep us busy for a while!
Which Harry Potter characters are confirmed to be appearing in the show?
Check out the casting news above for the most up-to-date list of confirmed characters! We also know Peeves will be involved...
How can we find out more about the show before anyone else?
We promise to keep you abreast of any news the moment we have it. The best way to get the hottest Harry Potter updates straight away is by signing up to our newsletter,which will deliver any scoops to you faster than an owl.
All of this TV talk is getting me in the mood to re-watch the films. Where can I catch up?
We’ve put together a helpful guide documenting how you can stream Harry Potter or Fantastic Beasts wherever you are in the world!
When will the show be out?
The series will debut Christmas 2026 on HBO and HBO Max where it’s available.
Streaming service HBO Max is available in many territories across the world - and you can find out the most recent rollout plans here.
