The magical world of Harry Potter is returning to its roots, as Warner Bros. has announced that production for the highly anticipated HBO Original Series: Harry Potter will begin in the summer of 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire, the very same studio where the original eight Harry Potter films were brought to life.
This new adaptation, produced by Warner Bros. and set to stream on Max, promises to be a “faithful adaptation of the iconic books” by J.K. Rowling. The series aims to immerse both longtime fans and a new generation in the magic of Hogwarts, introducing a completely new cast to portray the beloved characters that have enchanted audiences for over two decades.
Casting the Magic
The series, set to span a decade with seven planned seasons—one for each book—has already generated significant buzz. Following an open casting call in September 2025, HBO revealed that an astounding 32,000 children auditioned for the lead roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
The casting process has been both thorough and exciting. Applicants, who must be UK or Ireland residents aged between nine and eleven by April 2025, have submitted thousands of tapes, with casting teams reportedly reviewing up to 1,000 applications daily. This approach mirrors the original casting process, when Rupert Grint famously applied for Ron Weasley’s role after seeing a Newsround feature.
Bringing Harry Potter to a New Generation
In a post to X (formerly Twitter), Max teased fans with the announcement: “Wands at the ready. The upcoming HBO Original Series, #HarryPotter, will be filming at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden with production beginning in Summer 2025 and coming to Max.”
The original Harry Potter films, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, defined a generation. Now, Warner Bros. and Max aim to reimagine the wizarding world for a new era, with each season closely adapting one book in J.K. Rowling’s groundbreaking series. “Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world,” Max added.
Behind the Scenes Magic
The series is being helmed by an impressive creative team, with Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod—known for their work on the critically acclaimed series Succession—confirmed as executive producers. The collaboration is expected to bring a fresh cinematic flair to the show while staying true to the rich detail and emotional depth of Rowling’s novels.
A Return to Leavesden
Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is no stranger to magic. It has been home to the Harry Potter franchise since its inception, and fans around the globe recognize it as the birthplace of cinematic Hogwarts. The location’s state-of-the-art facilities will provide the perfect backdrop for this ambitious new project, which is poised to reignite the global phenomenon that began over 25 years ago.
What’s Next?
With production scheduled to begin in 2025 and casting well underway, fans can look forward to more announcements about the cast and creative team in the coming months. While the original trio of Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint won’t reprise their roles, the new series is sure to introduce a cast that will bring J.K. Rowling’s beloved characters to life for a new generation.
