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HBO Harry Potter series casting and production updates

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2026-09-23 06:30 UTC → 2026-09-23 21:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Warner Bros. and HBO are progressing with the production of their upcoming Harry Potter television series. The first season, adapting ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, is scheduled to debut on December 25, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max, consisting of eight episodes. The series is planned as a multi-year project where each season covers one of the seven original novels. Production for the second season, which adapts ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’, has encountered delays. Originally slated to begin in August, filming has been pushed to October due to unfinished and unapproved scripts. Casting for the second season continues to evolve. Kit Harington will portray Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, replacing Nicholas Hoult, who departed the project due to scheduling conflicts. Harington, a “lifelong fan” of the books, described his decision to join the Wizarding World as an immediate “Yes, please!”, noting that the series offers a unique opportunity to explore the source material more deeply than the films. He also addressed the decision to participate despite public controversy regarding author J. K. Rowling’s views on transgender rights, noting the personal importance of the franchise to him. In a recent interview, Harington shared that listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks helped him “navigate his sobriety struggles.” Recent casting additions include Rafe Spall as Arthur Weasley, Molly Hewitt-Richards as Moaning Myrtle, and Jasper Ambrose as Colin Creevey. Other confirmed cast members include Lenny Rush as Dobby, Billy Barratt as Tom Riddle, Bonnie Hill as Ginny Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, and Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom. The core ensemble remains Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. ~~Supporting roles include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. Filming is taking place at Warner Bros.~~

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