The “Harry Potter” franchise is set to return with a new TV series. Warner Bros. Discovery has announced a new television series, promising to revisit the franchise like never before.
The series will be filmed at Leavesden Studios in England, the same location as the original movies, and is set to span an entire decade. During a presentation at the Leavesden headquarters on Thursday, Dec. 5, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod revealed updates about the show’s production.
The search for the new cast is in full swing. So far, 32,000 children have auditioned for lead roles, with the casting team reviewing between 500 and 1,000 tapes daily.
Paapa Essiedu is reportedly in talks to play Professor Snape. Mylod acknowledged that while Alan Rickman is irreplaceable, the team is excited to discover a new generation of talent to bring these beloved characters to life.
Mylod shared that the new series will allow more in-depth exploration of characters and Hogwarts’ history while staying true to the original film’s legacy.
Controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling
Controversy continues to surround Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling. Since 2020, Rowling has faced backlash for her outspoken opposition to transgender rights. Many cast members of the original films, including Daniel Radcliffe, have publicly expressed support for transgender rights, distancing themselves from Rowling’s views.
According to Variety, Rowling has posted or reposted about trans-related issues more than 200 times between September and November 2024.
HBO responded to the ongoing controversy in November, stating:
“J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”
A long wait for fans
HBO Chief Casey Bloys confirmed that Rowling has been involved in selecting the series’ writer and director. HBO Max ordered the series in April 2023, but filming isn’t expected to begin until the summer of 2025, with a potential premiere in 2026.
“Harry Potter” fans will have to wait a bit longer for their next magical adventure, but this series promises to bring new layers to this beloved world of magic.
