
HBO's ‘Harry Potter' series begins production, sets 2027 release and reveals first look at new cast
The first official image from the series features Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, donning the character's familiar round glasses and Hogwarts school robes. He will star alongside Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The young cast members were selected from over 30,000 hopefuls who responded to a global casting call last year.
Additional casting announcements revealed Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, and Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch. Anton Lesser has been tapped to play wandmaker Garrick Ollivander. Veteran actors John Lithgow and Janet McTeer will portray Albus Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, respectively, while Paapa Essiedu will take on the role of Severus Snape. Nick Frost has been cast as Hagrid. Other key roles include Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy.
Each season of the show will adapt one of the seven Harry Potter books, with Season 1 expected to complete filming by spring 2026. A second season will follow after a brief production hiatus.
Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on 'His Dark Materials,' will serve as showrunner and lead writer. 'Succession' director Mark Mylod is also on board to direct multiple episodes and executive produce. The production is a collaboration between HBO, Warner Bros. Television, and Brontë Film and TV, with Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman serving as executive producers.
Behind the scenes, the creative team includes costume designer Holly Waddington, cinematographer Adriano Goldman, hair and makeup designer Cate Hall, and stunt coordinator Paul Herbert. The visual and practical effects will be overseen by John Nolan and Alexis Wajsbrot, respectively.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
‘Final Destination: Bloodlines' unleashes HBO Max premiere after record-breaking box office
Final Destination: Bloodlines is bringing its gory legacy home. After slicing through box office records to become the highest-grossing entry in the long-running horror franchise, the film is set to stream on HBO Max from August 1, with a linear HBO premiere following on August 2 at 8 p.m. ET. The release marks a 77-day theatrical-to-streaming window, offering fans a bloody encore from the comfort of their couches. Released earlier this year, Bloodlines slashed its way to $138.1 million domestically and a staggering $285.3 million worldwide. The movie became an unexpected summer hit, driven by intense word-of-mouth and the franchise's loyal fanbase. Viewers were drawn to its haunting premise: a college student plagued by violent nightmares must return home to confront her family's cursed past and seek help from her enigmatic grandmother, played by Rya Kihlstedt. Directed by Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky, the film stars Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Brec Bassinger, and horror icon Tony Todd, whose return as the franchise's eerie harbinger was hailed by longtime fans. The screenplay, crafted by Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor from a story developed alongside Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts, introduced a new generation to the terrifying unpredictability of death's design. Ahead of the streaming launch, HBO will host a full-day marathon on August 2 featuring all previous Final Destination films, culminating with Bloodlines at primetime. The network hopes to capitalise on renewed interest in the franchise as speculation swirls around another sequel or even a series reboot. With fresh blood, critical buzz, and nostalgic callbacks, Bloodlines has proven that the franchise still has plenty of life and death left.


Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Hans Zimmer joins ‘Euphoria' season 3 as composer alongside Labrinth
Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer has officially joined the creative team of Euphoria Season 3, marking a major musical shift for the hit HBO drama. Zimmer will work alongside returning composer Labrinth, whose sound has defined the show's haunting and emotional tone in its first two seasons. The news was announced on social media Wednesday, with Zimmer expressing excitement about the collaboration. 'It's an honor to join this incredible team of storytellers led by the visionary Sam Levinson,' he said. 'Labrinth's music has shaped the show's identity, and I look forward to helping shape this new season through music.' Labrinth, who composed standout tracks like 'All for Us' and 'I'm Tired,' also welcomed the opportunity to collaborate. 'So great to join Hans, one of my heroes in film score, and bring some new magic to this new season,' he said. Zimmer's involvement adds prestige and anticipation, as the acclaimed composer is known for iconic film scores in Interstellar, The Lion King, Gladiator, Inception, and Dune. His cinematic influence has already been part of the show's DNA, according to creator Sam Levinson, who revealed that he wrote parts of the season while listening to Zimmer's scores from Interstellar and True Romance. 'Euphoria' Season 3 has yet to receive a release date, but the addition of Zimmer signals a bold creative evolution for the series. With both Zimmer and Labrinth shaping the sonic landscape, fans can expect a fresh yet emotionally grounded score that elevates the storytelling to new heights.


Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
The Last of Us season 3 release date set for 2027 as HBO confirms return
HBO has confirmed that season 3 of The Last of Us will arrive in 2027, marking a four-year gap since season 2. The announcement has generated both anticipation and questions among viewers eager to see the continuation of the critically acclaimed series. The series, adapted from the popular video game, has maintained strong interest despite delays and changes in its creative team. Neil Druckmann, co-director of the series and creator of the original games, has confirmed his departure from the project. However, his work remains an important reference for the future direction of the series, according to those involved in production. HBO's Casey Bloys has indicated that the writing for the season is progressing well, while co-creator Craig Mazin has noted that discussions for potential additional seasons are underway. Season 2 of The Last of Us continues to receive industry recognition, earning 17 Emmy Award nominations that highlight performances from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, as well as the series' production design and soundtrack. Looking ahead to season 3, viewers can expect the introduction of Abby, a major character from the video game, who is set to play a central role in the upcoming storyline. Season 3 of The Last of Us will continue its exploration of survival and human connection within a post-apocalyptic world when it returns on HBO in 2027.