The Harry Potter franchise is set to make a comeback, this time on the small screen, with plans for a TV series premiere in 2026.
During the Q4 earnings call on Friday, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced that the first installment of the Harry Potter TV series is slated to debut on the Max streaming service in 2026. The series is expected to span seven seasons, with each season adapting one of J.K. Rowling’s iconic fantasy novels.
Zaslav expressed the company’s excitement about bringing Harry Potter back to life, highlighting that it has been more than a dozen years since the release of the last film in the Warner Bros. Pictures franchise.
Recently, Zaslav, along with HBO and Max content chief Casey Bloys and Warner Bros. Television chairperson Channing Dungey, met with author J.K. Rowling in London to discuss the show. Zaslav described the discussions as fruitful, emphasizing the mutual enthusiasm for reigniting the beloved franchise.
While casting details for the Harry Potter TV series have yet to be announced, Warner Bros. TV has confirmed that it will feature an all-new cast distinct from the film adaptations. Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed the iconic character in the original film series, has made it clear that he won’t be reprising his role in the TV adaptation.
In a recent interview, Dungey provided updates on the progress of the Harry Potter/Wizarding World series, revealing that each season will be based on one of the books in the franchise. She emphasized that casting discussions have not yet begun and that the focus is currently on finding the right showrunner to lead the project.
Rowling, who has faced controversy in recent years over her statements about gender, responded to fans planning to boycott the TV adaptation due to her involvement. In a social media post, she acknowledged the boycott attempts and humorously noted her preparedness with a large stock of champagne.
