Harry Potter TV Series Targeted for 2026 Premiere on Max
The magical world of Harry Potter is set to return, this time to the small screen. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced during the company’s Q4 earnings call that the first installment of the Harry Potter TV series is targeted to premiere on the Max streaming service in 2026.
During their Q4 earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav zeroed in on a release date for the streaming service’s as-yet-untitled adaptation.
"We've not been shy about our excitement around Harry Potter," Zaslav said. "The last film was made more than a dozen years ago. I was in London a few weeks ago with [HBO and Max's head] Casey [Bloys] and [Warner Bros. TV boss] Channing [Dungey], and we spent some real time with J.K. [Rowling] and her team. Both sides are thrilled to be reigniting this franchise. Our conversations were great, and we couldn't be more excited about what's ahead".
“We can’t wait to share a decade of new stories with fans around the world on Max,” he continued. “We’re aiming for a debut in 2026.”
“Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally,” a Max press release said at the time.
“We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way,” added Bloys. “Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World. In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.”
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What We Know So Far about Harry Potter TV Series
Adapting the Beloved Books:
The TV series is expected to span seven seasons, each adapting one of J.K. Rowling’s bestselling fantasy books. Fans can look forward to revisiting Hogwarts, encountering magical creatures, and reliving the adventures of Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
Meeting with J.K. Rowling:
Zaslav revealed that he recently met with author J.K. Rowling and HBO and Max executives in London. Their discussions centered around reigniting the beloved franchise and creating new stories for fans worldwide.
Showrunner Search:
While casting rumors have been circulating, the focus is on finding the right showrunner to lead this magical journey. The challenge lies in casting the younger characters from the first two books, where the kids are around 11 or 12 years old.
A Decade of New Stories:
The excitement around the Harry Potter universe remains strong, even though the last film was made over a dozen years ago. With the TV series, fans can anticipate a decade of fresh adventures, mysteries, and enchantment.
Warner Bros.’s eight “Harry Potter” films comprise one of the studio’s most successful franchises, grossing over $7 billion worldwide at theaters. The Max original will stream on the service in the US and globally.
WB Discovery CEO David Zaslav shared details about the expected debut during an earnings call on Friday, per The Hollywood Reporter. Zaslav said that he, Bloys, and WBD TV chief Channing Dungey met with Rowling and her team to discuss the show.
“Both sides are thrilled to be reigniting this franchise,” Zaslav said. “Our conversations were great, and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead. We can’t wait to share a decade of new stories with fans around the world on Max.”
As we eagerly await the premiere, let’s dust off our wands, polish our broomsticks, and prepare to return to the wizarding world. Accio popcorn! 🪄🍿
