Khaberni - After years of preparation and secret production, the beloved characters Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley return to Hogwarts School in the first promotional announcement for the new "Harry Potter" series, which is scheduled to be shown on HBO during the Christmas season of 2026.
The first season is based on J.K. Rowling's novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, depicting the young trio's journey at the age of eleven during their first school year, starting from the train journey, meeting the giant Hagrid for the first time, experiencing the Sorting Hat, and their first match in the "Quidditch" as part of the Gryffindor team.
Dominic McLoughlin has been chosen to portray Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron, after a long search and an open call for British children between the ages of 9 and 11.
The adult cast includes a lineup of stars, among them John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.
Several episodes of the series will be directed by Mark Mylod, while Francesca Gardiner oversees production, with filming taking place in Leavesden Studios in the United Kingdom amid complete secrecy.
The series is expected to provide deeper details than the eight-film series, becoming one of the most notable productions in the history of HBO Max's live broadcast.
The series sparked widespread controversy after Essiedu was chosen for the role of Snape, as he revealed receiving death threats, affirming his commitment to the role and his belief in the work's message about tolerance and accepting others.
Rowling's controversial statements have provoked mixed reactions, despite her participation as an executive producer, and HBO officials have defended the series' independence from her personal views.
The series is expected to premiere on HBO Max during the Christmas season of 2026, several months before its official release in 2027, nearly 30 years after the first book was published.
