Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling weighed in on the recently announced showrunner and director for the upcoming HBO series adaptation of the beloved wizard's story.
“I'm truly thrilled to announce our director and writer, both of whom I interviewed as part of the production team. Both have a genuine passion for #HarryPotter, and having read Francesca's pilot script and heard Mark's vision, I'm certain the TV show will more than live up to expectations,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
J.K. Rowling approves more passion, more vision
It was recently announced that Francesca Gardiner will serve as showrunner and writer and Mark Mylod will direct multiple episodes. Both are Succession alums and multiple Emmy winners.
Gardiner's previous credits include executive producing and writing for His Dark Materials, co-executive producing Killing Eve and writing for The Man in the High Castle. She won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Succession in 2022 and 2023 for Outstanding Drama Series. Her name was on top of the shortlist of writers WBD has been eyeing since early this year.
Mylod's previous credits include executive producing and directing Shameless; co-executive producing, co-producing and directing Entourage, and directing Game of Thrones. He also helmed the 2022 film The Menu. He won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Succession in 2020, 2022 and 2023 for Outstanding Drama Series and in 2023 for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series. Mylod has also directed episodes in the upcoming second season of The Last of Us.
The as-yet-untitled Harry Potter series was initially marked for Max, where it has been in development since 2021. As a strategy and branding shift for both the streaming platform and its cable sibling, HBO, it will now air both on the cable channel and stream on Max.
HBO promises a faithful Harry Potter adaptation
According to HBO, the series will faithfully adapt Rowling best-selling fantasy series about the young wizard.
The entertainment network said, “The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years.”
As for who's cast in the roles previously played by Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Ruper Grint (Ron Weasley), this will be announced at a later date. The premiere date, as well, hasn't been announced yet, but Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav mentioned that they're targeting a 2026 debut.
Rowling will also serve as an executive producer in the series. However, she isn't expected to be on set every day. HBO has chosen not to comment on the author's anti-transgender statements.
Casey Bloys, HBO and Max content chief, said, “The TV show is new and exciting, but we've been in the Harry Potter business for 20 years; this isn't a new decision. We're comfortable being in the Potter business. J.K. is a very online conversation… It's very nuanced and complicated and not something we're going to get into. Our priority is what's on screen.
While that may be the case, it remains to be seen if the new generation will live in the Harry Potter universe the same way the millennials did. Or still are. The last movie in the franchise, Deathly Hallows – Part 2, released in 2011, is number 18 in the 50 highest-grossing films of all time, earning $1.34 billion worldwide. The film series is also the fourth-highest-grossing with $7.7 billion in global box office receipts, behind Avatar, Avengers and Star Wars.
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