Grab your butterbeer and dust off your house robes — the Wizarding World is officially returning, and we’ve just stepped onto Platform 9¾ for the first time in years.
HBO’s Harry Potter series is now deep in production, and the magic is already tangible. On July 14, fans got their first glimpse of the next generation’s Boy Who Lived, as Dominic McLaughlin suited up in full Hogwarts gear — complete with wand, glasses, and all the familiar Gryffindor energy — on set. The official image, shared by HBO, shows McLaughlin holding the slate for Episode 1, an unmistakable sign that the journey has truly begun.
As if that wasn’t enough to send Potterheads into overdrive, the network also released the first image of Nick Frost(Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) as Rubeus Hagrid. Massive beard? Check. Weather-beaten coat? Check. Instantly comforting half-giant presence? Check. It’s a bold choice and a big pair of boots to fill — literally — after the late Robbie Coltrane’s beloved portrayal. But Frost looks every bit the new Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.
The series promises to be the most faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s original seven-book saga to date, with HBO committing to one full season per book. That means deeper character arcs, more time at Hogwarts, and finally giving justice to subplots the films had to skip. Think SPEW. Think Peeves. Think actual Quidditch League drama. It’s all back.
Joining McLaughlin are Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, completing the iconic trio. The newly announced cast list keeps growing, with some exciting fan-favorite roles now confirmed:
- Rory Wilmot as a budding Neville Longbottom
- Amos Kitson as an already-annoying Dudley Dursley
- Louise Brealey (Sherlock) as the whistle-blowing Madam Hooch
- Anton Lesser (Game of Thrones) as wand legend Garrick Ollivander
And that’s just scratching the surface. The adult cast is packed with talent. John Lithgow will channel his inner headmaster as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror) takes on the brooding complexity of Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer commands the Transfiguration classroom as Professor McGonagall. Meanwhile, Johnny Flynnbrings aristocratic menace to Lucius Malfoy, and Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby portray the famously sour Dursleys.
Production is taking place at the legendary Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios — yes, the very same place where the original films were shot. And in case you’re wondering, HBO isn’t just rehashing old magic. This is a full creative reset with Francesca Gardiner (His Dark Materials, Succession) steering the ship as showrunner, Laura Neal (Killing Eve) on scripts, and Mark Mylod (Game of Thrones, Succession) directing the pilot. Oh, and David Heyman — the man behind all eight original films — is back too, ensuring that the essence of the books stays intact while evolving for a new era.
As for Rowling? She’s executive producing and has already praised the scripts for being “SO, SO, SO GOOD,” confirming that she’s heavily involved with the show’s early development. Her continued presence is bound to keep the discourse alive, given the controversy surrounding her public comments, but for now, the focus is on the show itself.
The show doesn’t have a hard release date yet, but it’s been slated for 2027. Yes, it’s still two years away — but if this first look is anything to go by, the wait might just be worth it. Early set photos reveal new takes on iconic locations, including a rebuilt Platform 9¾ that looks like it’s ready for at least seven seasons of magical mayhem.
With more casting announcements to come and the first season reportedly shooting alongside the second, HBO is clearly playing the long game. Expect more reveals, sneak peeks, and probably a wand drop or two in the coming months.
In the meantime, go ahead and start your re-read — or rewatch — of the series. Because come 2027, it’s back to Hogwarts for all of us.
