HBO Max swaps Harry Potter stars for fresh faces, fan reaction roars

**The wizarding world is getting a fresh season on Max, with major cast changes and a new production slate.** HBO Max has renewed its original Harry Potter television series for a second season, confirming that filming will begin on July 14, 2025.

The renewal also brings new actors into the mix: Bonnie Hill will replace Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley; Lenny Rush will portray Dobby; Billy Barratt will play young Tom Riddle; and Kit Harrington will take over the role of Gilderoy Lockhart, succeeding Nicholas Hoult.

The first season, based on *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*, is slated for a Christmas 2026 release on HBO and HBO Max. Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton were chosen to play Harry, Ron and Hermione after an inclusive search that saw 32,000 young actors audition.

The cast includes John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid and Jon Lithgow (likely a typo in source; the series also features Jon Lithgow as Dumbledore—correcting to John Lithgow) among others.

Francesca Gardiner has been named showrunner for the second season, having previously served as executive producer on Seasons 3 and 4. Mark Mylod, a former *Succession* producer, will direct multiple episodes and also act as executive producer. Jon Brown, who wrote for Season 1, is stepping up as co‑showrunner alongside Gardiner.

“**This new Max Original series will into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years**,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content. He added that the project would be a “faithful adaptation” and that it would span “10 consecutive years” despite earlier reports suggesting one season .

Chris Columbus, who directed the first two Harry Potter films, praised the reboot as a “spectacular idea.”

## Background & Context

The decision to create a television series began with a 2023 announcement at Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max streaming event. The company confirmed that the show would cover all seven books, with Season 1 focusing on *Philosopher’s Stone* and slated for a Christmas 2026 release.

A teaser trailer debuted on March 25, followed by a fuller trailer on September 2 after “return‑to‑Hogwarts day.” The second trailer showcased key scenes: Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid, the Cloak of Invisibility, Wizard’s Chess and the Mirror of Erised.

Early speculation had each season matching one book, but Casey Bloys clarified that the series would run for “10 consecutive years.” He added that Warner Bros. Discovery would not incorporate *Fantastic Beasts* into the main narrative. The announcement also highlighted the involvement of J.K.

Rowling as executive producer, along with her collaborators Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley‑Letts. Rowling stated that she would “not write” the series but would provide guidance, praising the first two episodes as “SO, SO, SO GOOD!” on X.

Production details were confirmed when showrunner Francesca Gardiner and EP Mark Mylod appeared at the Max Showcase in London. Filming will take place at Leavesden Studios, with cameras rolling on July 14, 2025. The series will also explore visual effects collaborations, with Framestore VFX in talks to recreate the magical world.

## What People Are Saying

Casey Bloys emphasized that the series would prioritize the “integrity of my books” and that “our priority is what’s on the screen.” He also acknowledged that discussions about controversial topics surrounding J.K. Rowling would not be addressed in the show.

“**No, I don’t think this is the forum [to discuss that]…**” he said, deflecting broader conversations.

J.K. Rowling’s remarks echoed a similar sentiment. She added that she “doesn’t write the series” but that she had “worked closely with the extremely talented writers.” Her approval of the scripts and her role as an executive producer signaled strong creative control from the author’s side.

David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO, underscored the franchise’s value: “**We haven’t done anything with Harry Potter for more than a decade…**” He highlighted that the intellectual property has been “underused” and that it represents one of the company’s biggest differentiators.

Zaslav also remarked that the studio’s performance over 20 years, excluding major franchises, has been “relatively flat.”

Actors involved in the series have made public remarks about their roles. Kit Harrington confirmed his casting as Gilderoy Lockhart after Nicholas Hoult’s departure, marking a reprise of his voice role in *Harry Potter: The Full‑Cast Audio Editions*.

Bonnie Hill, known for *Girl Troop versus Aliens*, will portray Ginny Weasley from Season 2 onward. Lenny Rush will play Dobby, while Billy Barratt will step into the shoes of young Tom Riddle.

The series also features a diverse ensemble: John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, and other notable actors such as Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy and Rafe Spall as Arthur Weasley.

The casting process emphasized inclusivity: “**For every role, please submit qualified performers…**” in accordance with protected‑class guidelines.

## What Happens Next

Filming for Season 2 is slated to begin in the fall after the initial shoot that started July 14, 2025. The series will continue to develop its storylines across the seven books, with an ambitious 10‑year run outlined by executives.

Francesca Gardiner will remain showrunner and executive producer, while Mark Mylod will direct multiple episodes.

In addition to on‑screen production, Warner Bros. Discovery is negotiating with Framestore VFX to bring the wizarding world to life, though a final contract has not yet been secured. The project also plans to honor the original franchise’s legacy by retaining creative oversight from J.K.

Rowling, who has confirmed she will “be involved” but not writing scripts.

Regarding distribution, the series will stream exclusively on HBO Max once completed. Max offers three subscription tiers: Basic with Ads ($10.99/month), Standard ($18.49/month) and Premium ($22.99/month).

HBO’s current titles, such as *House of the Dragon*, are also available to cable subscribers, and the Harry Potter series will follow that model.

While fan speculation abounds about returning film stars, statements from Daniel Radcliffe and others suggest they will not appear in the new series. Radcliffe said he “doesn’t think so” and prefers a clean break from the original franchise.

No official confirmation has been made regarding potential cameo appearances or multiverse storylines.

As production moves forward, audiences can anticipate further trailers and casting announcements leading up to the Series 1 premiere in late 2026. The series’ creators remain committed to honoring the source material while expanding the magical narrative for a new generation of viewers.