‘Harry Potter’ TV Series in Development

The company is refusing to confirm anything, but sources are saying it could see the books adapted at a rate of one per season.

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger,Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2' (2011)

(L to R) Emma Watson as Hermione Granger,Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2' (2011)

When a company has a property as lucrative and adaptable as the ‘Harry Potter’ novels, you just know it is going to leverage it to the hilt.

That’s certainly the case with Warner Bros. Discovery (as it is known since the big merger), which has so far pumped out eight main movies, three ‘Fantastic Beasts’ big screen spin-offs, theme parks, websites and more merchandise than you can wave a toy wand at.

Yet while there remains plenty of interest in ‘Potter’, the likes of the ‘Beasts’ movies haven’t been performing the way the company might prefer, nor are they setting fans’ hearts aflame.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

"Let the magic begin."

PG2 hr 32 minNov 16th, 2001

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Online

As Warners keeps looking for more, what of streaming service HBO Max, which would benefit from some Potter-based TV content?

There have been rumors about development on a TV series since before Warner Bros. and Discovery merged, with The Hollywood Reporter’s sources alerting it to the existence of something in the works back in 2021.

Back then, there was little information about exactly what it might be. But from the looks of an update on the story via Bloomberg, things are getting closer to reality.

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

(L to R) Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

What could the ‘Harry Potter’ TV series be?

There are any number of options for a potential ‘Potter show. For a while, there has been talk of adapting successful stage play ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’, though there are fears it could cannibalize ticket sales (though let’s be honest, having ‘Hamilton’ on Disney+ hasn’t quenched audiences’ desire to see it live).

Assuming Warners were to get author J.K. Rowling’s permission, there’s scope for a brand new story set in the ‘Potter’ universe, following different characters whose fates are not so set in stone (or paper).

But according to the Bloomberg report, the push appears to be for a new streaming series adaptation of the seven original books. The studio apparently been meeting writers and showrunners to hear concepts for a new take on the novels.

Conceivably, the show could run for seven or more seasons –– with one book per season (and possibly more, given that the movie series split the final tome, ‘The Deathly Hallows’ into two).

A series offers plenty of potential to thoroughly re-imagine the stories for a new audience who have grown up on the books and movies since the originals. And with the expanded freedom of streaming series, elements that had to be dropped to avoid mammoth movie running times can be re-instated.

(L to R) Emma Watson and J. K. Rowling at the premiere of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.'

Is JK Rowling aboard?

Rowling is a big consideration here, since A) she has final say on anything adapted from the books and B) is a problematic figure given her views on trans people.

It appears Warners is putting A) ahead of B), in talks with the author to secure her agreement (and have her as creative consultant rather than running the show).

WBD CEO David Zaslav is hoping to announce something about the show next week, having worked with HBO boss Casey Bloys to convince Rowling to agree (we’re envisioning the flying Ford Anglia from the second book with a trunk full of cash here) so now it’s a waiting game to see if it happens.