HBO Casts Harry Potter Series, Reveals Decade-Long Adaptation

HBO is developing a large-scale Harry Potter series, aiming for a detailed adaptation where each season corresponds to one of the seven books, potentially spanning ten years of production. The series features a new cast including Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, John Lithgow as Dumbledore, and Nick Frost as Hagrid, with Francesca Gardiner as showrunner and J.K. Rowling retaining executive producer and creative control. The production has faced controversy, as actors like Lithgow, Frost, and Paapa Essiedu have dealt with backlash related to Rowling's divisive statements on transgender issues, making the project a political statement for some involved. The series will be filmed at the original Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden, with an expected release in 2026 exclusively on HBO Max in the US and UK. HBO executives have emphasized focusing on the onscreen content despite the surrounding social debates, asserting Rowling's role remains integral. The budget reportedly exceeds that of House of the Dragon, highlighting HBO's commitment to delivering a high-quality adaptation for both longtime fans and new audiences.