HBO’s highly anticipated “Harry Potter” TV series has officially found its creative leads. Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on “Succession” and “His Dark Materials,” will take on the role of showrunner and executive producer. Joining her is Emmy-winning director Mark Mylod, who will direct multiple episodes and also serve as an executive producer. Mylod’s impressive resume includes directing episodes of “Game of Thrones,” “Succession,” and the upcoming second season of “The Last of Us.”
This announcement follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to shift the project from Max to HBO, a move that also affected other high-profile projects like “Welcome to Derry” and the live-action “Green Lantern” series “Lanterns.” This rebranding effort signals a strategic shift in how the company plans to handle its most valuable intellectual properties.
The “Harry Potter” series, in development since 2021, aims to be a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s best-selling fantasy novels. According to HBO, the series will feature a new cast to introduce a new generation of fans to the magical world of Harry Potter. The series is expected to premiere in 2026 and will adapt one book per season.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s interest in expanding the Wizarding World is understandable. The original eight “Harry Potter” films, released between 2001 and 2011, were monumental successes, grossing a total of $7.7 billion at the box office. This figure doesn’t even account for the profits from the “Fantastic Beasts” series, the five major “Harry Potter” theme parks, the London studio tour, or the extensive merchandise sales over the years.
Additional executive producers for the series include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. The involvement of these key figures ensures that the series will stay true to the original material while bringing fresh perspectives to the beloved story.
The selection of Francesca Gardiner as showrunner came after a competitive process. Gardiner, who was a consulting producer for Seasons 3 and 4 of “Succession,” beat out other finalists like Tom Moran and Kathleen Jordan. Gardiner’s previous work includes executive producing HBO and BBC’s “His Dark Materials” and co-executive producing AMC’s “Killing Eve.” She has also written for shows like Starz’s “The Rook” and Amazon’s “The Man In The High Castle.”
Mark Mylod, who will direct multiple episodes, has a rich history of working on high-profile projects. In addition to his work on “Game of Thrones” and “Succession,” Mylod directed the Ralph Fiennes horror film “The Menu” and episodes of Showtime’s “Shameless” and “The Affair.” His involvement adds a layer of credibility and excitement to the project.
The series is expected to run for ten consecutive years, a timeline that suggests a deep dive into each of the seven Harry Potter books. This extended format will allow for a level of detail and character development that the original films couldn’t achieve. However, it’s worth noting that the “Fantastic Beasts” series will not be part of this new adaptation.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the company’s commitment to the Harry Potter franchise. “We’ve not been shy about our excitement around Harry Potter,” Zaslav said. “Both sides are thrilled to be reigniting this franchise.”
The success of the stage show “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and the video game “Hogwarts Legacy” demonstrates that there is still a strong appetite for Hogwarts-related content. “Hogwarts Legacy” became the best-selling video game of 2023, moving 22 million units, while Rowling’s seven Harry Potter books have sold 600 million copies worldwide.
The casting process for the new series will begin soon, with Warner Bros. likely to cast young actors to portray the iconic characters. Given that the series will follow the books in order, the first two seasons will focus on the characters at ages 11 and 12. While no original cast members have been confirmed to return, the possibility remains open for cameos or special appearances.
J.K. Rowling will be involved in the series as an executive producer, ensuring that the adaptation remains true to her vision. Her production company, Brontë Film and TV, will produce the series in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television. Despite ongoing controversies surrounding Rowling, HBO’s Casey Bloys emphasized that the focus will be on the content of the series rather than external issues.
The budget for the series is expected to be substantial, comparable to other high-profile HBO projects like “House of the Dragon.” This financial commitment underscores Warner Bros. Discovery’s dedication to producing a high-quality adaptation that will satisfy both new and longtime fans.
In summary, the new “Harry Potter” TV series on HBO is shaping up to be a monumental project with a talented creative team at the helm. With Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod leading the way, fans can look forward to a faithful and detailed adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved books.
Source: Deadline, HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery
