HBO's high-profile Harry Potter television show gets a revised release window, potentially pushing the project further into 2026 or 2027. It was announced in April 2023 that Warner Bros. Discovery was moving forward with a television adaptation of the Harry Potter novels, which would cover all seven installments in the popular book series. Although the project was initially intended as an exclusive for the Max streaming service, it was recently announced that the adaptation would instead be branded as an HBO Original. But although the series has found directors and writers, a release date is still unknown.

In an interview with Deadline, following the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, top executive Casey Bloys gave an update on the Harry Potter television show. Bloys, who is Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, confirmed that the project was rolling. He noted that Succession director Mark Mylod has started on the adaptation, mentioning that the writers have also begun work.

Bloys stressed, however, that it was still too early to give a definitive release date as they were still considering the ages of the actors and said that a late 2026-2027 release date was possible. This is something of a change from the previously planned release window of 2026, which was offered by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav back in February. Read Bloys' comments below:

Bloys: Writers have started. [Director] Mark Mylod has started. The team, they’re hiring department heads, casting, and we’re off... We haven’t announced any [date]. I think they were talking about age [the young actors] will be in March, that doesn’t mean necessarily a production start date. [We're looking at a] late ’26-’27 [release]. Writers are just getting started so it’s too soon to talk about airdate.

What The Revised Release Window Means For Harry Potter

HBO Is Not Rushing A Beloved Franchise

As indicated by Bloys' remarks, the Harry Potter TV show has already gotten significant updates. It will be spearheaded by Emmy-winning Succession director Mylod, who will direct multiple episodes and serve as executive producer. Fellow Succession alum Fransesca Gradiner, meanwhile, serves as showrunner and executive producer. Their choices may speak to the fact that HBO wanted to have the experience of two people who worked on one of their most acclaimed series rather than the fact that there might be any plot similarities between Succession and the Harry Potter show.

Still, there are not any specific story details known about the adaptation. There is also not much that's confirmed about the casting, other than the fact there is an open casting call for the roles. Along with the willingness to delay the release of the show, these developments prove that HBO is being careful to craft a strong adaptation. The open casting call demonstrates a willingness to bring in unknowns and potentially allow them to grow into the roles rather than putting somewhat established actors at the center of the story. The approach worked for the Harry Potter movies, turning them into classics in the eyes of many.

Our Take On Harry Potter's Revised Release Window

It Might Be Best To Wait

Because the original Harry Potter cast is so beloved, it might be best for top executives like Bloys to take a step back and make clear they are not rushing a new version out to audiences. There are aspects of the adaptation that will be difficult to overcome, namely how author J.K. Rowling is becoming increasingly known to fans and the younger generation overall for her anti-trans views. But at least in of getting the story right and delivering a strong series, a slower approach affords HBO more freedom to figure out what works best.

Source: Deadline