Nearly three decades after J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" was published, and 13 years since the final film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," hit theaters, the magical world of Harry Potter is set to return in a new form: an HBO television series.

The upcoming series, led by showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, known for his work on "Succession," will revisit the story of Harry Potter as he discovers he is a wizard and leaves his Muggle family to attend Hogwarts, a school of magic. Alongside his friends Ron and Hermione, Harry becomes central to the fight against the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, or "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

The original "Harry Potter" film series, which began with Chris Columbus' 2001 adaptation of "Sorcerer’s Stone," has grossed over $7.7 billion worldwide. Now, HBO aims to bring this beloved universe back to life in a new episodic format.

Here are the key details about the HBO "Harry Potter" TV series:

Cast Announcements:

• John Lithgow ("Conclave," "The Crown") will play Albus Dumbledore.
  
• Janet McTeer ("Tumbleweeds," "The White Queen") will portray Minerva McGonagall.
  
• Paapa Essiedu ("I May Destroy You," "Gangs of London") will take on the role of Severus Snape.
  
• Nick Frost ("Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz") will bring Rubeus Hagrid to life.
  
• Luke Thallon (Tom Stoppard’s "Leopoldstadt," Rupert Goold’s "Patriots") will appear as Quirinus Quirrell.
  
• Paul Whitehouse ("The Fast Show," "Harry & Paul") will play Argus Filch.
  

In an interview with Variety, John Lithgow shared his thoughts on taking on the role of Dumbledore. He admitted that he is not as familiar with the Harry Potter canon as many others but sees this as a significant and potentially final major role in his career. Lithgow also mentioned his admiration for Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in the later films, and noted a personal connection through their shared birthday.

Series Structure:

Each of the seven books in the Harry Potter series will be adapted into a full season. Gardiner and Mylod aim to expand on the books and movies while preserving their legacy. They plan to delve deeper into character arcs and explore characters who received less screen time in the original films, such as staff and workers at Hogwarts.

Controversy and Production:

J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, will serve as an executive producer on the show. Despite her controversial comments regarding transgender and non-binary individuals, HBO has stated that her involvement in selecting the writer and director was crucial. Rowling's recent social media posts have continued to draw attention and criticism.

Casting and Filming:

Around 32,000 children auditioned in Ireland and the U.K. for the lead roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. As of December 5, the showrunners were reviewing audition tapes. The series is set to begin filming in the summer of 2025 at Leavesden, the same location where the original films were shot. The HBO "Harry Potter" series is scheduled to debut on Max in 2026.

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch

The Harry Potter movies chronicle the magical adventures of young wizard Harry Potter as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, confronts the evil Lord Voldemort, and discovers his extraordinary destiny alongside friends Ron and Hermione. For fans wondering where to watch harry potter films, they're available across multiple streaming services including HBO Max and Amazon Prime, though availability varies by region, with some viewers needing to rent digitally or use specialized services to access the complete wizarding world saga.

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