History of Harry Potter (TV series) in Timeline

Harry Potter is an upcoming HBO fantasy television series based on J.K. Rowling's book series. Produced by HBO Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television, Brontë Film & TV, and Heyday Films, it stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, and Nick Frost appear in supporting roles.

1997: Harry Potter book series begins

In 1997, Rowling began writing the Harry Potter series of seven fantasy novels.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide (BrightSummaries.com)

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1997: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone published

The first season is expected to cover the entirety of the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, originally published in 1997.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide (BrightSummaries.com)

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2001: Harry Potter films begin

From 2001, the Harry Potter novels were adapted into eight eponymous films.

2005: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire release

Production in Ashridge, where the Quidditch Word Cup scenes from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) were filmed, took place by November.

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2007: Harry Potter book series ends

In 2007, Rowling completed the Harry Potter series of seven fantasy novels.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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2011: Harry Potter films end

In 2011, the Harry Potter film series concluded with the final book, Deathly Hallows, split into two feature-length films.

January 2021: Report of Harry Potter series development emerges and is denied

In January 2021, The Hollywood Reporter revealed a Harry Potter television series was in early development, but HBO Max and Warner Bros. denied the report.

January 2021: Development on Harry Potter series begins

In January 2021, development on a Harry Potter series was revealed to have begun, with plans for a decade-long series adapting the books faithfully.

May 2022: Warner Bros. and Rowling discuss future projects

By May 2022, reports circulated about an announced meeting between Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Rowling to discuss future HBO Max projects within the Wizarding World franchise.

December 2022: Warner Bros. Television plans to expand Wizarding World franchise

In December 2022, Warner Bros. Television CEO Channing Dungey shared plans to expand the Wizarding World franchise.

April 2023: Harry Potter series officially announced

In April 2023, at a Warner Bros. investors meeting, it was announced that the Harry Potter series was in development. Zaslav revealed plans for the series during a presentation for the new streaming service Max, the successor to HBO Max. Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts were set as executive producers on the series.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide (BrightSummaries.com)

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2023: Series to be produced for ten consecutive years

In 2023, Bloys and Zaslav commented that the Harry Potter series is planned to be produced for ten consecutive years.

February 2024: Shortlist for series' creative leader

According to Deadline Hollywood, by February 2024, there was a shortlist of three candidates to be the Harry Potter series' creative leader, including Succession writer Francesca Gardiner.

June 2024: Series shifts from HBO Max to HBO

By June 2024, the Harry Potter series, originally slated for HBO Max, shifted to an HBO release.

June 2024: Gardiner and Mylod hired as showrunner and director

In June 2024, Francesca Gardiner was hired as the Harry Potter series' showrunner and writer, and Mark Mylod was hired to direct several episodes. The series was moved from Max streaming to HBO network release in June 2024.

September 2024: Casting call for Harry, Ron, and Hermione

In September 2024, a casting call was issued for the main roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the Harry Potter series.

September 2024: Casting call for child actors released

In September 2024, casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann released a casting call looking for child actors to portray Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.

November 2024: Casting for major roles begins

In November 2024, casting for major roles in the Harry Potter series began, under the creative leadership of showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod.

December 2024: Actors considered for roles in series

From November to December 2024, various actors were being considered for roles in the Harry Potter series, including Mark Rylance and Mark Strong for Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu for Severus Snape, Sharon Horgan and Rachel Weisz for Minerva McGonagall, and Brett Goldstein for Rubeus Hagrid. A decision on the casting of Harry, Ron, and Hermione was expected "relatively soon".

February 2025: John Lithgow in final negotiations to portray Dumbledore

In February 2025, John Lithgow entered final negotiations to portray Dumbledore, and he announced his casting soon after.

April 2025: Age criteria for child actors

As of April 2025, the casting call specified that child actors portraying Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger should be aged 9-11 and residents of the UK and Ireland.

April 2025: Casting confirmation

By April 2025, casting confirmation was received for the major roles in the Harry Potter series.

April 2025: Lithgow, McTeer, Essiedu, and Frost confirmed to star

In April 2025, John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, and Nick Frost were confirmed to star in the Harry Potter series, with Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse joining the cast in recurring roles as Quirinus Quirrell and Argus Filch.

May 2025: Cast members announced

In May 2025, Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton were cast as Potter, Weasley, and Granger in the Harry Potter TV series.

May 2025: McLaughlin, Stout, and Stanton cast in major roles

In May 2025, Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton were revealed to have been cast in the main roles after 32,000 actors were considered.

May 2025: Sets construction begins

In May 2025, sets for the Harry Potter series had reportedly already begun to be built and the film crew spent over a week at the Île de Sein in Brittany, filming around the Tévennec Lighthouse.

July 2025: Principal photography begins

Principal photography for the Harry Potter series began on 14 July 2025, at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, Hertfordshire, under the working title Dark Train, directed by Mark Mylod and Adriano Goldman as cinematographer. On 14 July 2025, the first photo from production was released, showing McLaughlin dressed in character. On 17 July, filming was spotted taking place at the London Zoo, with McLaughlin, Powley, Rigby, Kitson, and Mickey McAnulty dressed in character.

2025: Series to be produced for ten consecutive years

In 2025, Bloys and Zaslav commented that the Harry Potter series is planned to be produced for ten consecutive years.

2026: Filming to last until mid-2026

Filming for the first season of Harry Potter is expected to last until mid-2026, with production on the second season set to begin a few months thereafter.