We've only got seven books, eight films, two Disney theme park rides, a video game, a spin-off West End production and an immersive world in Watford out of it. Why stop now? J K Rowling's wizarding world is being turned into a TV series.
The Harry Potter books are the best selling book series in the world – having sold more than 600 million copies worldwide. The new series will be produced over the course of a decade by Max Original from Warner Bros Television, with each series being based on one of the seven books.
What is the new Harry Potter series?
A statement from Warner Bros Discovery said, 'The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail, much-loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over twenty-five years.'
Unsurprisingly, J K Rowling has been named executive producer on the 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,' the author said. Are two and a half hour films not long enough for you, J K?
David Heyman, who executive-produced all eight of the Harry Potter feature films (released between 2001 and 2011), is also in talks to executive-produce, alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts. Casey Bloys, the chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, told the Hollywood Reporter: 'We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way. Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World.'
Who is going to star in the new series?
While details on the cast have not yet been announced, the original cast will not be returning to reprise their roles. As one fan put it, '33 year old Daniel Radcliffe won't reprise the role of an 11 year old Harry Potter? Furious.'
Fans have started speculating over who might be involved in the project, with Adam Driver's name floating around as a potential Professor Snape. While another man with a fuzzy beard has openly pleaded for an audition to play Hagrid.
Comedian @BangBangBart joked that the new reboot will feature an all Australian cast. He said, 'HBO are rebooting Harry Potter with an ALL AUSTRALIAN CAST (finally!). Mendo is Snape, Hugo is Sirius, Jack Thompson is Dumbledore, Nicole is McGonagall, Cate is LeStrange, the Cheez TV guys are the Weasley twins, Margot Robbie is Margot Dobbie and she's doing Harley Quinn voice!'
Will the TV show be different to the play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
Yes, the TV series will cover each of the seven books per series – much like the films. While the stage adaptation is a sequel and is on stage in London, Tokyo, Melbourne, New York, Hamburg and Toronto. It was first published in 2016 and the story is set nineteen years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
In March of 2020, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was named the Guinness World Record holder for highest-grossing non-musical play in Broadway history, now having grossed over $250m since opening in 2018.
How have fans reacted to the new Harry Potter series?
It's fair to say that reactions to the news have been mixed. While some people are excited to see yet another string added to the franchise's bow, others think that Harry Potter has been rinsed dry already, with one Twitter user suggesting series is little more than a cash grab, writing 'Harry Potter isn't being remade for a "true vision". It's because the licensing element of Rowling's businesses lost 74% of its income, as Fantastic Beasts flopped, the stage show's been hit by covid, and no-one apart from the BBC wants to adapt the mediocre murder books.'
Another is hoping for the story to be modernised, saying: 'Tiktok has taught me that the only aspects of Harry Potter anyone younger than 20 is interested in are Malfoy being hot, dating hot Malfoy, and other young boys like the Marauders being hot and dating each other. The reboot must embrace this or perish.'
Is J K Rowling going to be involved?
Yes, the author will be an executive producer on all series and has spoken out in support of the adaptation. This has proved controversial as in recent years JK Rowling has attracted criticism for her views on gender identity and has been accused of transphobia, accusations she denies.
Some Harry Potter fans called for a boycott of the recently-released Hogwarts Legacy video game. However, it was still one of the fastest-selling video games on 2023.