J.K. Rowling has revealed that she has been deeply involved in the development of HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series, stating she “worked closely” with the show’s writers. While not directly writing the scripts herself, the author confirmed that she has been active in shaping the series and has already read and approved the first two episodes.
“I didn’t write the scripts, but I’ve worked closely with the extremely talented writers and I’ve read the first two episodes – they’re SO, SO, SO GOOD,” Rowling said in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).
Rowling will serve as an executive producer on the series, collaborating with showrunner Francesca Gardiner (Succession) and director Mark Mylod, both handpicked for the adaptation. The series, which is planned to span a full decade with one season per book, is currently in pre-production, with filming set to begin in summer 2025 and a targeted premiere in 2026.
📸 New Generation of Stars
The show introduces a new trio of young actors:
- Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
- Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
They’ll be joined by seasoned talents like John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, and Paapa Essiedu in undisclosed roles.
⚠️ Ongoing Controversy
Despite excitement around the reboot, Rowling’s involvement remains divisive due to her widely criticized views on gender identity. Some fans and original Harry Potter film actors have voiced opposition to the reboot, with ongoing calls for boycotts.
HBO CEO Casey Bloys recently addressed the controversy, affirming that Rowling’s personal views have not influenced casting decisions or story direction. He emphasized that the show is a new creative vision guided by a fresh team, with Rowling involved primarily to ensure fidelity to the source material.
