HBO's "Harry Potter" Series Shares First Photo As Cameras Roll, Sets 2027 Release Window

HBO’s “Harry Potter” TV series — the long-awaited and much-hyped return to J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world — has officially begun production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the U.K., almost 14 years after “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” concluded Harry’s journey on the big screen.

The adaptation has also revealed a first look at Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, smiling in costume with the character’s signature round glasses and school uniform. 

McLaughlin is joined by Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The new golden trio was selected from more than 30,000 actors who auditioned in a casting call last fall.

New casting announced on Monday includes Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. 

The series has also been confirmed to debut in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max.

Led by showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod of “Succession,” HBO’s new take on the beloved book-turned-movie franchise will follow the young Potter as he discovers he’s a wizard, leaves his Muggle family behind, and sets off to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along the way, he befriends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and battles Lord Voldemort.

The reimagining also stars John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, and Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge and Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby as Petunia and Vernon Dursley.

From left to right: Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.

Each of the seven Harry Potter books will make up an entire season. Shooting on Season 1 is expected to last until the spring of 2026, with Season 2 then going into production after a short break.

Newly announced department heads joining costume designer Holly Waddington include Adriano Goldman (director of photography), Cate Hall (hair and makeup designer), Paul Herbert (stunt coordinator), Mark Holt (SFX supervisor), Mara LePere-Schloop (production designer), Naomi Moore (set decorator), John Nolan (creature effects design supervisor), Alexis Wajsbrot (VFX supervisor) and Dom Sidoli (VFX producer).

The series is written and executive produced by Gardiner. Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes, which is being made by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. 

The series is executive produced by Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.