Fans of the Wizarding World, unite! That Harry Potter is getting a TV series is not news. After seven books and a successful eight-part film series, Harry Potter is getting a TV remake, based on the books and we couldn’t have been more excited. More screen time equals the depiction of more aspects of the book. If that is enough to get you hooked, read on. Here’s everything we know so far about the Harry Potter TV series.
Unlike the Fantastic Beasts spinoff series which served as a prequel to the legendary Harry Potter franchise, the TV series will be totally based on the seven books. While many are looking at the TV adaption as a needless exercise, the fandom is excited to finally see the more minute details from the book on the screen. While the film franchise did absolute justice to J.K Rowling’s book, a TV series would be able to explore the stories more comprehensively. Here’s what we know so far.
All you need to know about the Harry Potter TV series
First official confirmation by makers
The announcement did not come as a surprise to many. Several reports in early April suggested that a reboot for TV based on J.K. Rowling’s acclaimed books could be in the works. Nevertheless, the makers made an official announcement on 12 April, 2023 and that was the first official acknowledgement that the show is being made.
Rowling herself will be serving as executive producer of the TV series.
“Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series,” Rowling said.
“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,” Variety quoted Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, as saying.
The series will be produced by Max along with Warner Bros. Television and Brontë Film and TV. Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts will be joining Rowling as executive producers.
How many seasons will be there?
As Bloomberg had reported earlier, HBO Max had initially planned to base each season on each book, totalling a seven-season series. However, after the official confirmation, HBO Max will be taking a different route. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said.“For 10 consecutive years, people will see Harry Potter on [Max].”
If we look at the films, it began with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001, and followed every movie based on each book, until the last one where thet split the seventh book into two movies. There’s a high probablity that HBO Max series might take a similar route.
The cast
Reports suggest that the series will have an entirely new set of actors playing the iconic roles immortalised on-screen by the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and others. While none of the original cast will return, there’s a report as per ScreenRant that Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy of Slytherin, might return to the series to play Lucius Malfoy, Draco’s father.
Harry Potter TV series first teaser
While no details on the start of production or release date were revealed, but the makers released a short teaser.
The teaser showed multiple candles appearing magically out of thin air as they come together to form the words “Harry Potter.” The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry can be seen in the background.
The music played in the teaser is the original theme from the movies, which was composed by John Williams who, at age 90, became the oldest ever Oscar nominee in any category when he was nominated for Best Original Score for The Fablemans at the 95th Academy Awards.
Harry Potter franchise one of the most successful in history
Harry Potter is one of the most successful book and film franchises in history.
The first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Sorcerer’s Stone in the US), was published in 1997. The first film, sharing the same title, was released in 2001. The seventh and last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released in 2007. It was made into the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011), bringing the total number of films to eight.
The Harry Potter movies collectively grossed over USD 7.7 billion at the worldwide box office.
The Harry Potter universe, also known as Wizarding World, includes the not-so-successful spin-off Fantastic Beasts film franchise, which serves as a prequel to the original story, as well as TV specials, theme parks, stage play and video games.
All Images: Courteys IMDb
Manas Sen Gupta writes at the intersection of tech, entertainment and history. His works have appeared in publications such as The Statesman, Myanmar Matters, Hindustan Times and News18/ETV. In his spare time, Manas loves studying interactive charts and topographic maps. When not doing either, he prefers reading detective fiction. Spring is his favourite season and he can happily eat a bowl of noodles any time of the day.
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