Christmas is always a magical time at Hogwarts and the upcoming reimagining of Harry Potter is trying to recreate the atmosphere with new updates. The HBO Original series comes with a lot of pressure, considering the love fans have for the original film series, but it also has an opportunity to set itself apart by delving further into the Harry Potter universe.
Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed Harry Potter would return as a TV series in April 2023 and 2024 was a year filled with updates. While fans are eager to find out who will take over the beloved characters, all the details Warner Bros. revealed this year have been very important: the showrunner, director, filming location, costume designer, and the production start window. Per the official Harry Potter website, the series received an important update about its runtime, too.
On Dec. 5 at Max’s London showcase, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, who will also executive produce, teased that the new series will start filming in the summer of 2025 in Leavesden, the same studios the original eight films used, revealing that iconic locations from the film series would return. “We don’t want to mess with the likes of the Great Hall, but other elements of Hogwarts we will expand,” Mylod teased, adding that it would explore other places not seen before.
No one can replace Alan Rickman, but we can find the next generation.
“We went with the idea that Hogwarts is a real place,” Mylod explained, noting that he would like to explore the architectural themes of the castle. “So there will be elements of Georgian architecture, attempts at naturalism. Because, of course, we have the luxury of long-form storytelling.”
At the same time, he and Gardiner confirmed Harry Potter’s Season 1 runtime: “We have 8 hours to tell the first book, so we can dig into the real depths and crevices and how the language of magic can evolve.”
Gardiner expressed her love for the original films and their desire to honor them. “We’re both massively fond of the movies, they’re amazing, what an amazing feat of creative pursuits. We get a bigger sandpit to play in.” As per the actors, the executive producers teased, “No one can replace Alan Rickman, but we can find the next generation,” as the new series is bound to be canonically accurate to the ages in the books.
We follow the ethos of the films to source some of the finest cream of British talent,” Mark added. The duo further joked, “We’re obsessed, basically!”
Described as a more faithful adaptation of the book series, the new series will feature a brand-new cast, but also characters from the books that didn’t make it in the films: the mischievous poltergeist Peeves. “We’ll get to have some fun with Peeves in the corridors!” the duo confirmed.
The Search for the Harry Potter Cast Continues
The series has received a filming window for the summer of 2025 but, so far, no role has been filled. At the Max showcase, Gardiner and Mylod revealed over 30,000 children sent audition tapes to play the lead characters, Harry, Hermione, and Ron. So far, no decision has been made.
However, several online reports claimed multiple critically acclaimed actors are in talks to star as the older characters. Sir Mark Rylance and Mark Strong are reportedly in the running to play Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Rachel Weisz, and Sharon Horgan are eyed to play Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, with Brett Goldstein suggested to play Hogwarts’ gamekeeper Rubius Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu to take the role of Professor Severus Snape.
The Harry Potter TV series will premiere on HBO in 2026.
