HBO’s Harry Potter series premieres this Christmas, and MuggleCast has been following every casting announcement, trailer, and set report along the way. Here’s everything we know so far about the show: the release date, the full cast, the trailers, Season 2, and how the series will go beyond the films. We’ll keep this page updated as new information arrives.
Harry Potter HBO Series: Quick Facts
- Premiere date: December 25, 2026
- Where to watch: HBO and HBO Max
- Season 1: Eight episodes adapting Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
- Season 2: Confirmed, adapting Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Showrunners: Francesca Gardiner, joined by Jon Brown starting with Season 2
- Filming location: Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden
- Music: Hans Zimmer and his team
When Does the Harry Potter TV Show Come Out?
The first season premieres on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max. Filming on Season 2 was set to begin this fall, while Season 1 is still being finished. On MuggleCast, we’ve debated whether that means late 2027 or 2028. Read our set visit recap for that conversation.
Watch the Harry Potter TV Show Trailer
HBO released the second teaser trailer for Philosopher’s Stone on September 2, 2026, the day after Back to Hogwarts Day.
For every scene, book detail, and Easter egg, read our Philosopher’s Stone trailer breakdown.
Harry Potter TV Show Cast: Who’s Playing Who
Hogwarts
- Harry Potter: Dominic McLaughlin
- Ron Weasley: Alastair Stout
- Hermione Granger: Arabella Stanton
- Albus Dumbledore: John Lithgow
- Minerva McGonagall: Janet McTeer
- Severus Snape: Paapa Essiedu
- Rubeus Hagrid: Nick Frost
- Quirinus Quirrell: Luke Thallon
- Argus Filch: Paul Whitehouse
- Peeves: Peter Serafinowicz
- Draco Malfoy: Lox Pratt
- Seamus Finnigan: Leo Earley
- Lavender Brown: Sienna Moosah
- Parvati Patil: Alessia Leoni
The Weasleys
- Molly Weasley: Katherine Parkinson
- Arthur Weasley: Rafe Spall (Season 2)
- Fred and George Weasley: Tristan and Gabriel Harland
- Percy Weasley: Ruari Spooner
- Ginny Weasley: Gracie Cochrane (Season 1), Bonnie Hill (Season 2 onward)
The Dursleys and the Wider Wizarding World
- Vernon Dursley: Daniel Rigby
- Petunia Dursley: Bel Powley
- Dudley Dursley: Amos Kitson
- Garrick Ollivander: Anton Lesser
- Lucius Malfoy: Johnny Flynn
- Cornelius Fudge: Bertie Carvel
New for Season 2: Chamber of Secrets
- Gilderoy Lockhart: Kit Harington
- Dobby: Lenny Rush
- Tom Riddle: Billy Barratt
- Moaning Myrtle: Molly Hewitt-Richards
- Colin Creevey: Jasper Ambrose
For our reactions to the newest casting, read who’s playing Dobby, Tom Riddle, and Ginny in Season 2 and our breakdown of Peeves, Ollivander, and the Ginny recast.
How Will the Show Be Different From the Movies?
With eight hours to tell the story of the first book, the series has room for scenes and characters the films had to leave out. Here’s what has been confirmed or shown so far:
- Peeves is finally part of the story. Rik Mayall filmed scenes as Peeves for the first film, but they were cut.
- Hermione’s Hogwarts letter: We’ll see Hermione receive her letter, and a Hogwarts representative visit her family.
- Nicolas Flamel: Dumbledore will be seen talking with Flamel about the Philosopher’s Stone.
- The girls’ dormitory appears on screen for the first time.
- Book accurate details: The trailer shows Neville joining the trio on the way to Fluffy, Hermione in her pink robe, and Seamus as one of Harry’s new friends.
Amanda Kirk of The Leaky Cauldron visited the set and described every detail as “a labor of love.” Read more in our set visit recap.
Harry Potter Season 2: What We Know
HBO renewed the series for a second season adapting Chamber of Secrets. Jon Brown, a writer on Season 1 who also worked on Succession, was promoted to run the show alongside Francesca Gardiner, to help manage overlapping production schedules. Season 2 casting so far includes Kit Harington as Lockhart, Lenny Rush as Dobby, Billy Barratt as Tom Riddle, Bonnie Hill as Ginny, Rafe Spall as Arthur Weasley, Molly Hewitt-Richards as Moaning Myrtle, and Jasper Ambrose as Colin Creevey.
MuggleCast’s Harry Potter TV Show Coverage
Catch up on our coverage of the series so far:
- What Is the Harry Potter TV Show Set Like? A Leaky Reporter’s Visit
- Who Is Playing Peeves in the Harry Potter TV Show? Plus Ollivander and the Ginny Recast
- ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ TV Trailer Breakdown: Every Scene Explained
- Who Is Playing Dobby, Tom Riddle, and Ginny in Harry Potter Season 2?
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Harry Potter TV show premiere?
The series premieres on December 25, 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.
How many episodes are in Season 1 of the Harry Potter TV show?
Season 1 has eight episodes, adapting Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Who plays Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the Harry Potter TV show?
Dominic McLaughlin plays Harry Potter, Alastair Stout plays Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton plays Hermione Granger.
Has the Harry Potter TV show been renewed for Season 2?
Yes. Season 2 will adapt Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Will MuggleCast cover the Harry Potter TV show?
Yes! Beginning Wednesday, December 2, MuggleCast is switching to full coverage of the HBO series. We’ll release an episode soon after each TV episode airs, followed by a second episode the same week with even more detailed coverage. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss a thing: follow MuggleCast in your favorite podcast app or subscribe on YouTube.