**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANCHOR: “A major development tonight in the world of entertainment, as Warner Bros. Discovery officially confirms what fans have long anticipated. The highly anticipated live-action television adaptation of the Harry Potter series is moving forward with a complete recasting of its iconic trio.”

DETAILS:

• WHO: Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO Max have announced an open casting call for the roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, as well as several other key characters. The production is being overseen by a new creative team, distinct from the original film franchise.
• WHAT: The announcement confirms that the television adaptation, based directly on J.K. Rowling’s seven-book series, will feature entirely new actors. This decision formally closes the door on speculation regarding the original film cast’s involvement. The casting call specifies a global search for actors of “any ethnicity or nationality” for the lead trio, specifically seeking newcomers between the ages of 9 and 11.
• WHEN: Production is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2026, with a targeted debut on the Max streaming service in late 2026 or early 2027.
• WHERE: The series will be produced primarily at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, England, the same location where the original eight films were made.
• WHY: According to a statement from Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, the decision to recast was made to “create a definitive, decade-long series that allows for a deeper exploration of the books and characters,” and to “completely immerse a new generation in the world of Hogwarts.”

QUOTE FROM STATEMENT:

“We are not rebooting the films. We are building a new foundation, with the original source material as our blueprint. A new story requires new faces, and we are committed to finding the perfect young actors to carry this legacy forward