Harry Potter TV show: everything we know so far about the upcoming HBO adaptation

HBO's Harry Potter TV show is clicking through the development gears now. Just one month after its first round of cast announcements was made, the forthcoming small-screen adaptation has found its Harry, Ron, and Hermione. You'll need to read on to find out who's been chosen to play the iconic trio, though.

That's not all you'll learn about the live-action show, which is slated to arrive sometime in 2026 or 2027. Indeed, this magical guide will run you through even more details about the series ahead of its debut on one of the best streaming services, including any story details, how the show will be produced, and so much more.

Unsurprisingly, big spoilers follow for the Harry Potter books and its film adaptations, so proceed at your own risk.

Harry Potter TV show: is there a release date?

Unfortunately, there's no release date to share just yet. However, Deadline have revealed that the Harry Potter TV show is expected to premiere in 2026 or 2027.

Per the above tweet, filming will commence in mid-2025 in Leavesden, UK - i.e. the same location as the movies. So, while there's time to wait, it gives us plenty of opportunity to dust off our wands and brooms for its arrival.

Harry Potter TV show: has a trailer been released?

Nope. Filming hasn't started yet, so it'll be a long time before one is released. One the Harry Potter TV show's official launch date is announced, hopefully one will apparate alongside it.

Harry Potter TV show: confirmed and predicted cast

As revealed in late May, HBO confirmed who'd be playing Harry, Ron, and Hermione in its TV adaptation. That trio are Arabella Stanton (Hermione), Alastair Stout (Ron), and Dominic McLaughlin in the titular role.

Those casting arrived one month after HBO's Harry Potter TV show confirmed who'd be playing six big characters, including Dumbledore, Snape, and Hagrid.

Starting with one of the most iconic roles in the entire franchise, beloved actor John Lithgow is set to play Hogwarts' legendary head teach Albus Dumbledore.

In conversation with Screen Rant, Lithgow explained the offer to play the iconic Hogwarts headmaster "was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid, but I'm very excited. I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've said yes."

Elsewhere, Nick Frost will play Rubeus Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu is on board as Potions Professor Severus Snape, Janet McTeer will portray Professor Minerva McGonagall, Luke Thallon has been hired to play Professor Quirinus Quirell, and Paul Whitehouse has joined the wizarding world as Argus Filch.

This group of A-listers and newcomers join the Harry Potter TV show's magical creative duo in showrunner Francesca Gardiner and head director Mark Mylod. Expect more cast reveals to come ahead of principal photography beginning on the show's first season.

Harry Potter TV show: story synopsis and rumors

Full spoilers follow for the Harry Potter book series and film franchise.

It's been years in the making as we first reported rumors surrounding a Harry Potter TV adaptation in January 2021. But, news of the Harry Potter TV show was first officially announced in April 2023 by Warner Bros. Discovery. As reported in Deadline, the show will have J.K Rowling as an executive producer, and will be "a faithful take on her classic Harry Potter books with a new cast." So, when it comes to the plot, if you've read the books or seen the movies, you'll know exactly what's about to happen.

For the TV show though, it'll be another long-running adaptation, but this time even longer, with CEO David Zaslav saying: "It's really moving, for ten consecutive years, people will see Harry Potter on HBO; I mean it's really something." Which means the story that J.K. Rowling told over seven world-building novels will have an opportunity to unravel across countless hours.

Deadline also revealed that the show will stick to the "canonical" ages of its characters, which unlike the movies means that certain characters will be much younger than their movie counterparts. The report divulges that showrunner Gardiner had described the show as offering up a "bigger sandpit to play in", as well as including more activity from Hogwarts staff and "having fun with Peeves in the corridor". Mylod also added that he will "dig into the depths and crevices of Hogwarts".

With ten consecutive years to play with, there's obviously a lot more room for storytelling given the film franchise adapted the seven books into eight movies and the TV show is reportedly going for ten whole seasons.

Will there be more seasons of Harry Potter?

Absolutely. As discussed above, the Harry Potter TV show will adapt all of J.K. Rowling's books. As confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, it'll take "ten consecutive years" to tell the full story, too.

Of course, the show's 10-season plan will depend on a number of factors, not least on whether people will tune into its first season and then continue to return for more.

One of the biggest question marks hanging over the series' head, which may impact its viewership, is J.K. Rowling's criticism of transgender rights and transgender issues in recent years. Rowling is part of its executive producing team, but some sections of the Harry Potter fanbase, plus actors who've previously starred in some of its live-action films, have taken exception to her incredibly divisive comments.

Nonetheless, Warner Bros. is standing behind her continuing role in the show, with a spokesperson telling Variety: "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". We'll see how well season 1 does first before we can draw any conclusions about how popular it'll be.

If, like us, the impending arrival of the Harry Potter TV show has left you contemplating another (or first-ever) run through of the iconic movie franchise, here's how to watch the Harry Potter movies in order. Alternatively, you can delve into the ever-contentious discussion of what the best Harry Potter movies are.

For more Max-based coverage, read our guides on House of the Dragon season 3, Creature Commandos season 2, Peacemaker season 2, and Euphoria season 3.