JK Rowling Has Been ‘Fairly Involved’ in HBO’s Harry Potter Series, but It ‘Hasn’t Affected’ the Casting or Staff
“Harry Potter” author JK Rowling remains “fairly involved” in the development of HBO’s planned series adaptations of her books, according to HBO CEO Casey Bloys. But he attests that her influence “hasn’t affected” the overall interest in the creative community wanting to bring “Harry Potter” to the small screen.
Bloys was asked specifically about Rowling’s continued controversial and often transphobic statements regarding transgender individuals on X compared to how much she’s posted about Potter. Bloys in response said she’s “been fairly involved in the process of selecting the writer and director,” and that “I imagine she’ll have opinions on casting,” but her involvement hasn’t deterred anyone from being willing to participate in the show.
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Francesca Gardiner is serving as showrunner on the “Harry Potter” series, and “Succession” director Mark Mylod will executive produce the series and direct some episodes. Gardiner participated in something of a bake-off in HBO’s search for who should be a showrunner, and Rowling played a role in the decision making.
HBO is planning seven different seasons of “Harry Potter,” one for each book in Rowling’s wizarding series, and the network is currently in the process of finding its young Harry, Ron, and Hermione who can be with the series throughout its run.
Bloys was later asked when we might expect the series and how they’re approaching filming each season considering how long it can take to mount a single season of television, including how to work around the kids getting too old between seasons.
He first speculated that the show won’t hit the air until the “top of ’27,” but “don’t hold me to any of that,” adding that they’re only just thinking about the writing and casting process. He did add though that they’re considering shooting the first and second seasons in close proximity to each other. While they can get away with an age difference between ages 13 to 15 for instance on screen, 11 to 13 “is a big jump in kids’ lives,” and they want to make sure they don’t grow too much in between.
It’s also unclear if the series would be able to stick to a firm annual schedule, but it will depend on how much of the series is written at the time, he added.
Bloys spoke as part of a wide-ranging look at HBO’s 2025 slate, in which he also reiterated that “nothing has changed” in the shooting schedule for a third season of “Euphoria.”
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