A weekly airing of the ‘Harry Potter’ films on free TV will begin this autumn, while a new series adaptation of the books is in the works by streaming service Max (formerly HBO Max). Set to launch in 2026, the series aims to follow the story closely over a decade, with J.K. Rowling as an executive producer. No cast has been confirmed yet, and a detailed exploration of the story’s characters and themes is anticipated, alongside fresh faces in the cast.
Ready for a Rewatch? This autumn, the beloved ‘Harry Potter’ films will once again air weekly on free TV. We have compiled all the broadcast dates for you!
It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t heard of the wizard Harry Potter. The eight films, adapted from the seven books by author J.K. Rowling, were a massive success for Warner Bros. Studios. Now, the original story is set to be revived in a new series format.
The streaming service Max, formerly known as HBO Max, plans to adapt the seven books into seven seasons, releasing them over a decade. J.K. Rowling will serve as an executive producer for the project.
Release Date – When and Where Can You Watch the Harry Potter Series?
The ‘Harry Potter’ series is expected to premiere in 2026 on Max in the U.S. According to Variety, this announcement was made by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
Typically, HBO productions arrive in Germany shortly after their U.S. release via Sky and its streaming service Wow, but it is anticipated that Max will launch in Germany by 2026, making the series available exclusively on Max.
Will the Series Stream on Netflix and Amazon?
It is very unlikely that the ‘Harry Potter’ series will be available on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. A ten-year plan for the series at Max aims to attract new subscribers to the platform.
Cast – Who Will Play Snape, Dumbledore, and Others?
No actors have been officially cast for the ‘Harry Potter’ series yet. It’s doubtful that the three lead stars from the films—Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint—will reprise their roles.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the film series, has commented to Comicbook.com about a potential cameo appearance. He noted that he has not been approached about participating in the series and doesn’t see himself needing to pass the torch physically. “I wish them all the luck in the world, and I’m excited to let the next generation take over,” he said.
Warner Bros. has already launched an open casting call for young actors and aspiring actors, so we can expect fresh faces in the roles of the iconic trio.
The casting for the Hogwarts professors has also not been revealed. Various rumors suggest actors like Andrew Garfield as Sirius Black, Tom Felton as Lucius Malfoy, Peter Capaldi as Dumbledore, and Leslie Manville as McGonagall, but none of this has been confirmed.
Harry Potter Series: Trailer
Don’t expect a trailer for the ‘Harry Potter’ series anytime soon. The earliest we might see a first look is in 2025. However, a brief teaser clip has already been released, officially announcing the series in April 2023.
Harry Potter Series: Plot
The storyline of the series is clear, as it will adapt the narratives of all seven novels by J.K. Rowling. The plot follows orphaned Harry Potter, who grows up with his aunt and uncle in a small English town. On his 11th birthday, he learns he is a wizard like his deceased parents and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Throughout the series, Harry confronts the dark wizard Voldemort, whose deadly curse he survived as a baby. Book fans hope the series will explore more intricate details that the films overlooked, addressing the significant differences between the books and the films.
For instance, Ginny Weasley’s character might be developed more extensively, while Peeves the Poltergeist could finally make his on-screen debut, having been entirely omitted from the films.
Harry Potter Series: Production
The successful duo behind ‘Succession’ has been tapped for the ‘Harry Potter’ series. Mark Mylod and Francesca Gardiner will serve as executive producers. Gardiner will also take on the role of showrunner and screenwriter, while Mylod, who has worked on ‘Game of Thrones’, will act as director.
Alongside J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts are also executive producers of the Max series. David Heyman, who produced the original films, is in talks to contribute as a producer as well. Rowling’s production company Brontë Film and TV will also be involved, alongside Warner Bros. Television.