Fourteen years after the cinematic conclusion of the "Harry Potter" saga, the wizarding world is once again stirring to life, this time on the small screen. HBO's highly anticipated live-action "Harry Potter" television series has officially begun production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the U.K., the same historic site where much of the original film franchise was shot.
HBO aims to bring J.K. Rowling's iconic fantasy story back to its roots, adapting each of the seven novels into individual seasons of television, a decade-spanning project designed to tell the story in greater depth and with renewed perspective.
With filming underway, HBO has unveiled the first official image from the set: newcomer Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, beaming in full Hogwarts attire - round glasses, Gryffindor tie, and all. McLaughlin leads the new cast as the Boy Who Lived, joined by Arabella Stanton as the brilliant Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as the loyal Ron Weasley. The trio was selected after an extensive casting search that reportedly saw more than 30,000 young actors audition last fall.
Additional casting announcements followed, revealing even more familiar names from Rowling's magical universe. Rory Wilmot has been cast as Neville Longbottom, while Amos Kitson will portray Harry's antagonistic cousin Dudley Dursley. Louise Brealey has been tapped to play flying instructor Madam Hooch, and acclaimed British actor Anton Lesser will step into the role of wandmaker Garrick Ollivander.
The cast also includes a host of celebrated performers taking on the story's most iconic adult roles. Emmy winner John Lithgow (The Crown, Dexter) will don the robes of Albus Dumbledore, while two-time Oscar nominee Janet McTeer portrays Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. Paapa Essiedu, known for his standout work in I May Destroy You, has been cast as the enigmatic Severus Snape, and Hot Fuzz star Nick Frost will bring a new take to the half-giant gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid.
Other key roles include Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby as Petunia and Vernon Dursley.
The series is helmed by Francesca Gardiner (His Dark Materials, Succession), who serves as showrunner and writer. Directing duties will be led by Emmy winner Mark Mylod, best known for his acclaimed work on Succession, who will also executive produce. The production is being handled by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. Executive producing alongside Gardiner and Mylod are J.K. Rowling herself, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman, who produced all eight of the original Harry Potter films through Heyday Films.
Each season of the HBO series will adapt one book from the original seven-part series, allowing for deeper character exploration, richer worldbuilding, and more faithful retellings of key plotlines and magical lore. Season 1, based on "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," will remain in production through spring 2026. Following a brief hiatus, production for Season 2 is expected to begin shortly thereafter.
HBO has confirmed the series will officially premiere in 2027 on both HBO and Max, where available.