It has been confirmed by TheWrap that Warner Bros. Discovery is having discussions to create a television series for HBO Max that is based on the original “Harry Potter” books.
Bloomberg, which broke the news, reported that the potential TV show would be an entirely new adaptation, distinct from the popular film series. The show’s format would comprise seven seasons, with each season covering one of the seven “Harry Potter” books published between 1997 and 2007. Author J.K. Rowling is expected to participate in the creative process, but not in a significant capacity.
The announcement follows the release of “The Secrets of Dumbledore,” the third film in the “Fantastic Beasts” series, by Warner Bros. Discovery almost a year ago. The movie marked the conclusion of the Eddie Redmayne-starring film spinoff trilogy.
Last year, TheWrap had reported that sources within Warner Bros. had indicated that the studio had not dismissed the possibility of creating additional theatrical films and HBO Max ventures within the “Harry Potter” franchise, even after the “Fantastic Beasts” movies had concluded.
During that time, Jeff Goldstein, the head of domestic distribution at Warner Bros., told TheWrap that “Fantastic Beasts” was intended to be a part of a more extensive initiative to construct the Wizarding World. Despite lower box office earnings for “The Secrets of Dumbledore,” the series had helped to keep the Wizarding World prominent in people’s thoughts, and the studio was content with the revenue generated by the franchise’s theme parks, merchandise, and other products and experiences.
Both Warner Bros. and HBO Max have expanded their Wizarding World collections, with HBO Max’s “Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts” commemorating the film franchise’s 20th anniversary, and Warner Bros.’ “Hogwarts Legacy” video game set over 100 years before the events of the “Harry Potter” books.
