Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group, has provided an update on the upcoming Harry Potter TV series at MIPCOM in Cannes, an event that “powers the business of international content rights and co-production.” Dungey confirmed during the event, attended by The Hollywood Reporter, that the writing team is established and that casting calls have opened in the UK and Ireland.
“The process is moving along,” she said. The series aims to explore J.K. Rowling’s books in more depth than the original films. Speaking about her experience with the franchise, Dungey said, “It’s an unbelievable dream, honestly, and as somebody who is a huge fan of the books, the opportunity to get to explore them in a little bit more in-depth than you can in just a two-hour film… that’s the whole reason we’re on this journey.”
Many actors from the original films have previously expressed that the adaptations didn’t capture the full depth of the characters and storylines, further emphasizing the need for a more thorough exploration. The plan is for the series to span seven seasons, one for each book, allowing for a (theoretically) comprehensive and nuanced retelling of the story.
In September, HBO issued an open casting call for children in the United Kingdom to audition for the main roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The casting call invites children of all ethnicities to apply for these primary roles, although the franchise faces scrutiny over the controversial views of its creator, J.K. Rowling, particularly regarding gender and sexuality, which have alienated some fans and actors from the original films.
Last month, HBO CEO Casey Bloys emphasized that, while casting is underway, the series is still in the writing phase. “Writers have started,” he said, adding that director Mark Mylod and the team are hiring department heads. Bloys noted that the show is not expected to begin production until 2025, predicting a potential launch on HBO and Max in late 2026 or 2027.
In the same Cannes discussion, Dungey addressed rumors about a potential fourth season of Ted Lasso, stating that conversations are ongoing and that cast members’ options have been picked up. “It’s still early days,” she noted, hinting at the excitement surrounding Jason Sudeikis’s potential return.
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