It’s official: a Harry Potter The TV series is coming to the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslau is the controversial author of J.K. Rowling revealed plans for a live-action TV series based on her beloved books. Zaslau made the announcement Wednesday morning during a presentation that revealed how HBO Max and Discovery+ streamers will be integrated. As expected, HBO Max has officially been rebranded and is now called “Max.”
Here’s how Max describes the series: “The stories of each of Rowling’s Harry Potter books become a decade-long series produced with the same epic craft, love and care that this global franchise is known for. The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fans, full of the wonderful details, much-loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years. Each season will stay true to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films remain at the heart of the franchise and available to watch worldwide.
The series hails from Warner Bros. TV and Bronte Film and TV, and counts Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts among its executive producers. David Heyman, who produced all eight films, is in talks to exec produce. The search continues for a writer and showrunner.
“We’re excited to offer viewers the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way,” said Casey Bloys, president and CEO of HBO & Max Content. “Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it’s clear that there is an enduring love and thirst for the wizarding world.” Warner Bros. In collaboration with Television and JK Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy over the years.
Rowling said, “Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I look forward to being a part of this new adaptation, which will allow for the depth and detail that only a long-form television series can offer.”
A live-action Harry Potter The TV series is in the works from early 2021 The Hollywood Reporter A number of ideas were exclusively reported to be in research stages. Meetings with writers have been going on ever since.
Following Max’s presentation, Bloys said Harry Potter As per the budget of TV serials game of thrones And Dragon House, the latter’s first season was $125 million. “[It] That amount or more. Whatever it takes to make a quality show,” Blois said when asked about the potential cost of the show.
WBD executives also said the new series won’t stop them from making other projects in the wider world of Harry Potter. “We’re free to do whatever we want,” Zaslau said. “There are areas we need to work on with JK and other areas we have full capacity to move forward. This is the full deployment in Max of Harry Potter. We can still create other properties.
When asked specifically about Rowling’s controversial comments on transgender people, Bloys declined to comment, insisting instead that her Harry Potter stories are indeed inclusive. “JK is an executive producer and his insight is helpful. We’re in the Harry Potter business. The TV show is new and exciting, but we’ve been in the Harry Potter business for 20 years; it’s not a new decision,” said Blois, who is gay. “We’re in the Potter business. We are comfortable. JK An online conversation… it’s very nuanced and complex and not something we’re going to do. Our priority is what’s on the screen. The Harry Potter story is incredibly solid and positive about love and acceptance, and that’s our priority, what’s on screen.
Interested in bringing Harry Potter has grown to TV in recent months after the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery. Jaslau, who oversees the combined company, is eager to do more about the boy wizard with endearing ownership.
Speaking to investors in November, Zaslav said franchises will be a key focus area for WBD. He noted that the company hadn’t done anything with Harry Potter in 15 years, and expressed hope that the company could do more with Rowling. After extensive negotiations, Rowling will be involved as an executive producer on the Harry Potter series, although she does not expect day-to-day control or writing input as she controls the rights to the property.
Warner Bros. TV, led by Channing Dungey, will be the studio behind the series.
The Harry Potter franchise is owned by Warner Bros. One of the cornerstones of Rowling’s seven-book series, it was adapted into eight movies and grossed more than $7 billion worldwide. Warners has it too Beautiful animals Movies and a Harry Potter stage show. More recently, Warners has seen success with a Harry Potter 20th anniversary reunion for HBO Max (which Rowling did not participate in) and a quiz show for TBS.
The Harry Potter franchise has complex ownership issues. Rowling controls the franchise and has a say in all things property related. In 2016 NBCUniversal acquired Warner Bros., which includes the US broadcast, cable and streaming rights to the Wizarding World franchise. Signed a lucrative seven-year franchise deal with Domestic TV Distribution. That deal, which expires in April 2025, includes digital initiatives and theme park content and events. The deal meant Warners executives had to make a side deal that allowed HBO Max to briefly stream all Harry Potter features when the service first launched. Movies now stream on both Peacock and Max.
