A new Harry Potter television series is officially in development, but some fans are fuming at what has been described as an “unnecessary remake”. The decade-long series will feature an all-new cast and will be a “faithful adaptation” of the world-famous books by JK Rowling, who will serve as executive producer.
Each season of the series will be based on one of the seven Harry Potter books and will give its creative team the opportunity to explore plot points that were cut from the films. The show is coming to Max – formerly HBO Max – the new streaming service of Warner Bros, the production company behind the original films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
The news was confirmed on Wednesday during Warner Bros Discovery’s unveiling of the streaming service in Los Angeles. A short video teaser was unveiled alongside the announcement, featuring composer John William’s iconic Harry Potter score and a glossy version of the film franchise’s logo.
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Max said the series would be produced with “the same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for”.
“The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail, much loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over twenty-five years,” the streamer said. "Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”
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Max has ordered the first ever #HarryPotter scripted television series, a faithful adaptation of the iconic books. #StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/3CgEHLYhch— HBO Max (@hbomax)
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Rowling said she was “looking forward” to being a part of the new adaptation.
“Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series,” the author said.
The Harry Potter film series concluded just 12 years ago with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, but popularity for the franchise is far from waning. The Potter video game Hogwarts Legacy became one of the fastest-selling games of the year in the UK and US when it launched in February.
But despite the Potter fandom still being in full force, some fans have slammed the new project as an “unnecessary remake”. Some feel it is too soon since the original films and that there are other stories in the Wizarding World that warrant a screen adaptation.
Taking to Twitter, @EmirSakarya said: “I want only the actors in the movie to remain in my memory. Why not something different set in the Harry Potter universe? Like the rise of Voldemort?”
@DGDXAnimation added: “Probably the most unnecessary remake of all time.”
@aaronhinton92 asked: “Why?? The films are some of the greatest book-to-screen adaptations of all time. They are iconic, and it’s absolutely insane to remake them into a series.”
@KingJosh_____ added: “I don’t know how to feel. On one hand I’m extremely excited to see more Harry Potter as I am a huge fan, but on the other I’m very worried that they will mess it up badly.”
But other Potterheads are excited for the new project considering the opportunity to expand on the franchise in a long-form TV series. @BeyondHamilton said: “Original fans have been begging for this since the clipped version was released in movie form. I’m excited for the younger actors who choose to play the trio now.”
@ShutUpBudgie added: “No one is taking away the books. No one is taking away the movies. This is supposed to be faithful to the books with Rowling’s backing. Very excited!”
@Missjunngle added: “If they really make a faithful adaptation of the books, I will be happy. Loads of stuff was missing in the films, characters that were completely different from the books.”
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