The Harry Potter TV series is coming later this year and from what we've seen so far, it looks like a pretty magical return to the wizarding world.
The new TV show retells the story of Harry Potter, aka 'The Boy Who Lived', from the very start. Season 1, which will be released on HBO, kicks off the narrative with 'The Philosopher's Stone', the first book in J. K. Rowling's series of novels. Introducing a whole new young cast as the main characters, it's part of an ambitious new adaptation that plans to adapt the whole epic tale over the next decade or so.
Now that the first trailer is out too, news is coming in thick and fast about what to expect with the new show as well. We run through all of that below, including the latest quotes from HBO boss Casey Bloys as well as the typical details about the Harry Potter TV series cast, release date, and story. So pack your bags for Hogwarts and read on below for everything you need to know about the Harry Potter TV show ahead of its release.
Harry Potter TV series release date
Thanks to the recent trailer, we now know that the Harry Potter TV series will be released on Christmas this year, on December 25, 2026.
This new 2026 date is a big shock since originally, HBO was aiming for a 2027 window, which came directly from Casey Bloys (Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content) during a past interview with Deadline. "Well, we've been saying 2027. I would say, to narrow it down to some extent, early 2027," he explained. "And now you’re going to ask, does that mean January, February, March, April, that we're not ready to say. I'll say early 2027."
We won't complain about the quicker date, though. Hopefully, no delays happen, and the 2026 release holds firm!
Harry Potter TV series story
The Harry Potter TV series is taking the same approach as the movies did in the 2000s, adapting the events of the Harry Potter books.
If you haven't watched all the Harry Potter movies yet or read the books, the story follows a young orphan called Harry Potter who learns that he is actually a wizard on his 11th birthday. Harry gets enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and he also discovers that his parents were killed by an evil Wizard named Voldemort, who is the reason that Harry has a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
The first season will be adapting The Philosopher's Stone book (or Sorcerer's Stone), which follows Harry during his first year at Hogwarts, and also features his first showdown with Voldemort. I won't get into spoilers here, but I will say the events of this chapter are great world builders, featuring multiple fantastical creatures. Perfect for Wizarding World newbies.
We also know that the show will give us different perspectives from other characters besides Harry. So, differing slightly from the books that focused on the Boy Who Lived. During an interview with People, the new Draco actor Lox Pratt teased that fans will "get to see so much more than the books" in the new TV series.
"You get to see all the teachers in their little rooms. You get to see Draco at home," the star explained. Exciting stuff! Slight story alterations may also happen thanks to Bloys confirming that we won't be getting a season a year.
However, this isn't to say that the universe will be expanding too much. Bloys has been clear that he wants the show to remain a faithful adaptation. "The idea is not to turn it into a DC or a Marvel," he told Radio Times. "The idea is to go in and do the books." He added: "There will be things in the show that were not in the movie… but are not off-canon. The opportunity is to spend more time with the books." Not only that, but Bloys has confirmed that season 2 is already being written as well.
Is there a trailer for the Harry Potter TV series?
The first trailer for the Harry Potter TV series dropped on March 25, 2026, and I'll say that it's very nice to see Hogwarts again after all these years. It also gives us our first look at all the new actors taking on the iconic characters. Watch it for yourself above!
Harry Potter TV series cast
The cast for the Harry Potter TV series is absolutely massive, and includes some emerging stars as well as some very recognisable faces. Since we'd be here forever if we listed everyone, below you'll find a round-up of all the main cast members, as well as the recurring cast members who have massive roles in the Harry Potter story going forward.
- Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
- Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
- Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
- Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
- Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom
- Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
- Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
- Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
- Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
- Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley
- Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley
- Gabriel Harland as George Weasley
- Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley
- Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe
- William Nash as Gregory Goyle
- Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout
- Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
- Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick
- Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
Keep in mind that a lot of other students have been announced as well. The above are simply the characters that we'll likely be seeing the most of throughout season 1.
We are also actually waiting for even more cast confirmation for characters that we also know are part of the story, but are MIA from the cast list at the moment. Cillian Murphy was rumored to be playing Voldermort, but has denied his involvement – so that's the biggest secret the show is keeping so far. Stay tuned for updates.
While we wait for the Harry Potter TV series to head our way, check out our list of the best HBO Max shows to watch in the meantime.
