UPDATED with newest: Warner Bros. Discovery‘s Harry Potter tv sequence is set to start filming subsequent summer season. Killing Eve scribe Laura Neal has joined the writers room. Deadline completely profiled showrunner Francesca Gardiner with quotes from her colleagues and extra.
The present could enlist a key participant from the movies to convey viewers again to the world of Hogwarts: Framestore, British VFX firm. The open casting name word in search of out the present’s Harry, Ron and Hermione stipulates that the actors should be between the ages of 9 and 11 in April 2025.
4 months after Deadline revealed that Francesca Gardiner was one among three finalists to win the prize to reboot the basic children franchise for the small display, the Succession consulting producer for Seasons 3 and 4 gained the showrunner gig. Gardiner beat Tom Moran and Kathleen Jordan to win the gig. Mark Mylod, who labored with Gardiner on Succession will direct a number of episodes of the sequence along with govt producing.
At its Max streaming occasion in April 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed a brand new period is coming for Harry Potter followers. The corporate introduced a TV sequence based mostly on all seven books in regards to the boy wizard written by J.Okay. Rowling. On June 25, it was revealed that the sequence is shifting to HBO in a rethink of WBD’s big-budget streaming technique.
See beneath for probably the most present solutions to crucial questions in regards to the undertaking.
What’s the Harry Potter TV sequence about?
“This new Max Unique sequence will dive deep into every of the enduring books that followers have continued to get pleasure from for all of those years,” stated Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO & Max Content material in regards to the undertaking, which he additionally assured followers could be “a trustworthy adaptation.”
Early reviews had every season of the sequence specializing in one e book within the Harry Potter e book sequence, which consists of seven novels, however Bloys stated the undertaking would run for “10 consecutive years,” which would appear to defy the 1 season, 1 e book assertion. For many who say Unbelievable Beasts may very well be leveraged to offer 10 seasons over 10 years, WBD brass stated particularly in the course of the announcement that FB won’t be part of the sequence.
Regardless of the case, Bloys promised that, as the corporate embarks on its new Harry Potter journey, “We achieve this with the complete care and craft of this franchise.”
Has HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ TV sequence began manufacturing?
Not but, however HBO confirmed that the present will begin taking pictures in the summertime of 2025 at Leavesden. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and EP Mark Mylod made a shock look on the Max Showcase in London to disclose this large step in manufacturing.
Who’s creating the Harry Potter sequence?
Succession duo Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod have signed up as its author and director, respectively. Gardiner will function showrunner and govt producer, and Mylod will direct a number of episodes along with serving as govt producer.
It had taken a bit, given the preliminary announcement was in April 2023, however in latest months Warner Bros. invited a choose group of creatives in to pitch concepts for what the sequence may very well be. They have been Martha Hillier, Kathleen Jordan, Tom Moran and Michael Lesslie. Now, the streaming service and Warner Bros. Tv narrowed it right down to Jordan, Moran and newer addition Francesca Gardiner, sources stated.
Deadline broke the information final month that Succession author Francesca Gardiner was among the many finalists. Gardiner was a consulting producer on Seasons 3 and 4 of HBO’s Succession. Earlier than engaged on the Jesse Armstrong creation, she was an exec producer of HBO and BBC fantasy co-production His Darkish Supplies and was a co-exec producer of AMC’s Killing Eve. She has additionally written on exhibits together with Starz’s The Rook and Amazon’s The Man In The Excessive Fort.
The writers room now additionally consists of Laura Neal, scribe of Killing Eve.
Jordan created Netflix sequence Teenage Bounty Hunters. Jordan can be working with the Orange Is The New Black streamer on The Decameron, which acquired a sequence order in 2022.
Tom Moran is a British author, who created Amazon sequence The Satan’s Hour, which starred Peter Capaldi. He additionally labored on Amazon sci-fi sequence The Feed and Rob Lowe cop drama Wild Invoice.
It’s an fascinating mixture of Brits and Individuals, most of whom have some expertise working with streamers and lots of of whom have shepherded tasks within the sci-fi/fantasy area.
We’ve heard that the group of writers have been commissioned by Max to create pitches for a sequence reflecting their tackle the IP. Rowling is known to be concerned on this pitching course of. The trio will be capable to hone in on their pitches for the subsequent couple of months, with a call on who will get the job anticipated in June.
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Framestore VFX is in talks to recreate the magical world it dropped at life within the eight motion pictures tailored from J.Okay. Rowling’s seven books. Warner Bros. Discovery can be chatting with different firms about visible results, however Framestore is in prime place to clinch a contract, we hear. A deal will not be but achieved.
When will the Harry Potter sequence be launched?
The sequence is anticipated to be on air in 2026 or 2027.
“We’ve not been shy about our pleasure round Harry Potter,” Zaslav instructed Wall Road analysts on the corporate’s fourth-quarter earnings name. “I used to be in London just a few weeks in the past with Casey [Bloys, CEO of HBO] and Channing [Dungey, chairperson of Warner Bros Television] and we spent some actual time with JK and her workforce,” he enthused. “Either side simply thrilled to be reigniting this franchise. Our conversations have been nice.”
Given the outcomes on that earnings name, WBD wants Harry Potter’s magic sooner relatively than later.
Regardless of a scarcity of programming competing within the 76th Primetime Emmys window, Season 3 of Hacks upset Season 2 of The Bear within the Finest Comedy class. CEO and Chairman of HBO and Max Content material Casey Bloys gave an replace in regards to the sequence after this win.
Bloys urged that the March date on the casting name for the sequence’ principal trio won’t imply the identical factor as a begin of manufacturing. He foresees the sequence arriving in late 2026 or early 2027.
Ditto J.Okay. Rowling, whose manufacturing firm posted a 74% drop in earnings in 2022. That rebounded considerably after the stage model of Harry Potter And The Cursed Baby proved to be a post-pandemic crowd pleaser. The writer received a $10.5 million paycheck for it in 2023.
The success of the stage present demonstrates that there’s nonetheless an urge for food for Hogwarts-related content material. Likewise the huge hit that’s Hogwarts Legacy, which grew to become the bestselling online game of 2023, shifting 22 million models. (That’s improbable, however for comparability Rowling’s seven bestselling Harry Potter books have moved 600M copies worldwide.)
At a Goldman Sachs convention final 12 months, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav made identified the necessity for extra Hogwarts magic explicitly. Ignoring the Harry-less Unbelievable Beasts movies, the CEO insisted the boy wizard presents an enormous alternative, claiming that the IP has been “underused” of late.
“We haven’t achieved something with Harry Potter for greater than a decade,” he stated, earlier than occurring to notice that when one examines the efficiency of Warner Bros. over the past 20 years with out accounting for it’s large three — Potter, Lord of the Rings and DC — the corporate’s efficiency is “comparatively flat.”
Zaslav referred to as that kind of big-ticket IP “one of many large differentiators of this firm.” And he appears to be relying on it to make a giant distinction.
“If you put these franchises in, it’s the best-performing studio on this planet. We have to deploy our greatest capital, and we have to do it with one of the best artistic individuals on this planet,” he stated.
How one can watch the sequence
It’s going to, in fact, be on Max as soon as the sequence is prepared. The service has three worth tiers: Max Advert Gentle, which works for $9.99 a month or $99.99 a 12 months and permits two concurrent streams; Max Advert Free will probably be priced at $15.99 a month, or $149.99 a 12 months, and also will enable two concurrent streams; and Max Final Advert Free which prices $19.99 a month, or $199.99 a 12 months, and permits entry to 4 concurrent streams.
As well as, WBD’s different present epic literary adaptation, Home of the Dragon, is accessible not solely on the corporate’s streaming service, but in addition to cable subscribers on HBO. The Potter sequence will observe swimsuit, based on execs. So in case you have HBO by way of your cable supplier, you’re all set.
In the event you’re in Canada, WBD has struck a multi-year licensing settlement with Crave for the likes of Harry Potter, Recreation of Thrones, the DC Universe and HBO content material.
Which actors are starring within the sequence? Are any of the unique Harry Potter stars returning?
A whopping 32,000 younger actors auditioned for the lead roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron, Gardiner revealed on the finish of 2024.
There will probably be new actors taking part in the sequence’ principal characters, however nobody has been forged but. Warner Bros. TV has begun the search for actors for the principle trio of wizards — Harry, Ron and Hermione — in youngsters from the UK and Eire.
As for that, Warner Bros. could be very doubtless seeking to forged younger actors, on condition that they’re continuing by way of Rowling’s books so as. “The difficult half is the primary two books, the place the youngsters are on the youthful finish, round 11 or 12,” stated Dungey of the casting course of.
“We’ve been attempting to be very near the vest,” stated Bloys. “We haven’t gone out to businesses. We’ve our personal inside course of the place we’ve been enthusiastic about individuals however we’ve got not needed to exit into the world. Now that the information is on the market…we’ll begin going out to the enterprise.”
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Sluggish Horses star Gary Oldman instructed IndieWire on the crimson carpet for the 76th Emmys that he could be open to returning to the sequence, suggesting a portrayal of Dumbledore. The workforce behind the reboot has not approached him but with any concepts. The actor additionally shared that he felt his unique character, Sirius Black, was not current in sufficient of the movies.
As for a return of any of the movie franchise’s stars — like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson or Rupert Grint — by no means say by no means. It will definitely be a PR enhance for the sequence and, whereas new actors will probably be forged within the main roles, there are all the time flashforwards or the presently en vogue multiverse plot ploy that might create area for extra acquainted faces within the sequence.
However Daniel Radcliffe has stated he’s nice with sitting on the sidelines.
“My understanding is that they’re attempting to very a lot begin recent and I’m positive whoever is making them will wish to make their very own mark on it and possibly not wish to have to determine the right way to get outdated Harry to cameo on this someplace,” Radcliffe instructed ComicBook.com. “So I’m undoubtedly not in search of it out in any method. However I do want them, clearly, all of the luck on this planet and I’m very excited to have that torch handed. However I don’t assume it wants me to bodily move it.”
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Radcliffe echoed these ideas in an interview with E! Information saying he’s “excited to observe as an viewers member.”
When requested if he could be in it, he stated “I don’t assume so, I believe they very properly wish to [have] a clear break.”
One other longtime Potter participant who doubtless gained’t be concerned is David Yates, who directed the final 4 motion pictures, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) and Deathly Hallows Half One and Two (2010 and 2011). As well as, Yates took on the Potter spinoff Unbelievable Beasts trilogy. He says there was no dialog about his involvement with the sequence. And it appears like he’s happy with that.
“Large affection and a stunning group of individuals I labored with,” Yates instructed Deadline. “However we haven’t had a dialog since we completed it.”
“It’s been about ‘Let’s simply park it, and be achieved for some time,’” he stated of the Potter franchise.
“By no means say by no means, I’d say, however I’m enthusiastic about shifting on,” he stated.
Will J.Okay. Rowling be concerned within the new Harry Potter TV sequence?
Sure. A deal for J.Okay. Rowling’s involvement within the sequence had been the most important hurdle in its path to the display: The writer has artistic management over any exploitation of her work. That settlement was finalized in 2023.
Rowling and longtime confederates Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts are exec producing, so she is anticipated to be concerned within the decision-making on the sequence. David Heyman, who developed the movies, was talks to do the identical. Rowling’s Brontë Movie and TV is producing with Warner Bros. Tv. Brontë Movie and TV was based by Rowling and her literary agent, Neil Blair, in 2012.
“Max’s dedication to preserving the integrity of my books is vital to me, and I’m trying ahead to being a part of this new adaptation which can enable for a level of depth and element solely afforded by a protracted type tv sequence,” stated Rowling in an announcement.
Since Warners launched its streaming service, there’s all the time been a objective to use Warners’ largest franchise for streaming. Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, taking the reigns after the merger final 12 months, met with Rowling a number of instances within the UK. He’s even spoken up in assist of the writer, who has been concerned in an ongoing controversy over her feedback on transgender points. Requested in regards to the streaming occasion about these controversies, Bloys demurred.
“No, I don’t assume that is the discussion board [to discuss that],” he stated. “That’s a really on-line dialog, very nuanced and sophisticated and never one thing we’re going to get into.”
“Our precedence is what’s on the display,” Bloys continued. “Clearly, the Harry Potter story is extremely affirmative and optimistic and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our precedence — what’s on display.”
As for a way shut the writer will probably be to the sequence, Bloys stated, “[Rowling] will probably be concerned. She’s an govt producer on the present. Her insights are going to be useful on that.”
The writer’s involvement might show a hurdle to having the principals from the movies concerned within the sequence. Relations between Rowling, Radcliffe and Emma Watson can’t be nice, given the writer just lately stated she was “bloody indignant” over stances taken by trans rights activists, which she sees being in opposition to ladies’s rights.
Rowling claimed that “hundreds are complicit, not simply medics, however the movie star mouthpieces, unquestioning media and cynical firms.” Requested particularly whether or not she would forgive Radcliffe and Watson for his or her unabashed pro-trans rights stance on the difficulty Rowling replied, “Celebs who cosied as much as a motion intent on eroding ladies’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies.”
Bloys was clear, nonetheless, that WBD wasn’t totally depending on Rowling for the undertaking.
“The TV present is new and we’re enthusiastic about that. However, bear in mind, we’ve been within the Potter enterprise for 20 years. This isn’t a brand new determination for us, we’re very snug being within the Potter enterprise.”
At his most up-to-date look talking on the present, Bloys stated “we’re completely snug with” working alongside the writer of the supply materials. He identified that the corporate had “large success” with final 12 months’s Hogwarts online game.
He stated he would relatively “do what the creatives wish to do” than “hearken to fan dialog.”
How a lot will the sequence price to provide?
“You understand we make exhibits at this scale with Home of the Dragon, Recreation of Thrones,” stated Bloys. “I think about will probably be that scale or increased. The shorter reply is no matter it takes to make a top quality present.”
Per Deadline reporting, Home of the Dragon price almost $200 million and was the topic of HBO’s largest advertising marketing campaign ever, valued at over $100M in media spend (that’s a combo of advert spot worth and arduous money shelled out). So followers can count on an identical outlay for the Potter sequence “or increased,” based on HBO/Max boss Bloys.
Will there be different Harry Potter-related tasks?
“We’re free to do something we would like,” Zaslav has stated, earlier than hedging a bit. “Some areas we have to do with J.Okay., different areas we’ve got the complete capability to go ahead. This can be a full deployment on Max of Harry Potter. We will nonetheless develop different properties.”
It’s unclear the place these boundaries lie, however it’s clear that Warner Bros. Discovery would love extra Potter. Since he took management of the merged firm, Zaslav has confused a number of instances his give attention to franchises, with mining the Harry Potter IP recognized as a high precedence.
Deadline understands that there can also be a possibility for greater than one of many above-mentioned writers to be concerned and that Max is open to the potential of growing multiple concept based mostly on Harry Potter.
How lengthy has this been within the works?
Max and its then-parent firm WarnerMedia began exploring a possible Harry Potter TV sequence a few years in the past. On the time, Warner Bros. appointed Youngsters, Younger Grownup and Classics president Tom Ascheim to handle the Wizarding World and Potter franchises, which embrace theme parks, excursions and the $9.1 billion-grossing theatrical library that spans the Harry Potter and spinoff Unbelievable Beasts titles. Beneath that setup, Ascheim grew to become WarnerMedia’s senior rep in its relationship with Rowling and her representatives, and exploratory conversations for a Max sequence received underway.
After the Discovery acquisition was accomplished a 12 months in the past, that unit was disbanded and Ascheim exited the corporate. Nonetheless, the significance of the Harry Potter IP has solely grown post-merger.
Zaslav spoke about his household’s personal private connection to the sequence.
“My spouse and I, we learn (the Harry Potter books) to every of our three children,” stated Zaslav, going off script on the Max announcement. “It’s actually shifting, for ten consecutive years, individuals will see Harry Potter on HBO; I imply it’s actually one thing.”
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