The release date for the Harry Potter series has been revealed. Image: film.ru
HBO has officially released the first teaser for the new Harry Potter series, and the premiere has been moved from 2027 to Christmas 2026. Meanwhile, there are rumors about a possible film based on the play “The Cursed Child” starring Daniel Radcliffe, but there’s no confirmation yet. Let’s break down what’s real and what’s still fan fantasy.
Harry Potter Series from HBO: Release Date and What We Know
The main news is that the series is coming out earlier than expected. The first season has received the official title “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and a premiere date of December 25, 2026 — on HBO and the HBO Max streaming service. The studio had previously targeted 2027 but moved the launch a full year earlier.
The first season will consist of eight episodes and will cover the events of the first book — “The Philosopher’s Stone.” The idea behind the project is for each season to adapt one of the seven books. The entire project is planned to span approximately ten years.
Filming began in July 2025 at the Warner Bros. studio in Leavesden (United Kingdom) — the same location where the original films were shot. Location scenes were filmed in Cornwall, Skipton, and other locations across England. Filming of the first season is expected to wrap by mid-2026, after which work on the second season will begin almost immediately.
Who Will Play Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the New HBO Series
The series features an entirely new cast. The lead trio is played by newcomers selected from 32,000 applicants in an open casting call:
This is what Harry, Ron, and Hermione look like now
- Harry Potter — Dominic McLaughlin
- Hermione Granger — Arabella Stanton
- Ron Weasley — Alastair Stout
Among the adult actors are well-known names:
- Albus Dumbledore — John Lithgow (known for “The Crown” and “Dexter”)
- Severus Snape — Paapa Essiedu (theater star who played Hamlet at a London theater)
- Minerva McGonagall — Janet McTeer (“Jessica Jones,” “Ozark”)
- Rubeus Hagrid — Nick Frost (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz”)
- Quirinus Quirrell — Luke Tallon
- Argus Filch — Paul Whitehouse
- Draco Malfoy — Lox Pratt
The music for the series will be composed by Hans Zimmer — a two-time Oscar winner and the composer behind the soundtracks for “Dune,” “Interstellar,” and “The Dark Knight.” He will replace John Williams, who wrote the iconic Hedwig’s Theme for the first three films. It’s not yet known whether the famous melody will appear in the new series, but Zimmer has promised to “honor the legacy” of the original music.
How the Harry Potter Series Differs from the Films
The key difference is the format. Each film lasted 2–3 hours and was forced to condense the book. A series with a season for each book provides much more screen time, meaning more details, characters, and storylines that didn’t make it into the movies.
The series will have far more details than the films. Image: kinotv.ru
From the first teaser alone, it’s clear that the series will include scenes that weren’t in the films: Harry’s life at an ordinary school, Dudley’s bullying of his cousin, and details of daily life on Privet Drive. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner (who worked on “Succession”) and director Mark Mylod (“Game of Thrones”) promise a more faithful book adaptation.
The locations will also be much more detailed. Image: thecity.m24.ru
Essentially, this is an attempt to do for a new generation of viewers what the films were for millennials — but in the format of an HBO-level epic series.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Film: Will It Happen or Not?
The situation with the “Cursed Child” film is far less certain. The project has not been officially announced. According to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, Warner Bros. discussed the idea of adapting the play, which is set 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts. The plot revolves around Harry’s son — Albus Potter, who is sorted into Slytherin and befriends Draco Malfoy’s son.
The Cursed Child remains a play for now
Rumors that Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint might return to their roles have been circulating for a long time. However, Radcliffe has said he’s not ready to return to the franchise. And director Chris Columbus, who directed the first two films and had previously expressed interest in “The Cursed Child,” indicated in 2025 that the project, to his knowledge, is no longer in the studio’s plans.
The play “The Cursed Child” has been running in London’s West End since 2016 and won the Olivier Award. But there’s a long way between a successful stage show and a green light for a feature film. Right now, Warner Bros. is focused on the HBO series, and in the coming years, it will be the main project in the Harry Potter universe.
Where and How to Watch the Harry Potter Series in Russia
The series will be released on HBO and HBO Max. In Russia, this streaming service is not officially available — Russian bank cards are not accepted for payment, and the service itself has not been launched in the country. Previously, HBO content reached Russia through Amediateka, but after 2022, the licensing situation changed.
This means that there will likely be no legal ways to watch the series from Russia at the time of the premiere. How exactly HBO content will become available to Russian viewers is something most people have already figured out. RuTube and VK Video will most likely allow viewers to watch the show among the first. On the other hand, “House of the Dragon” is shown officially in Russia, and there’s hope that the same will happen with “Harry Potter.”
Is It Worth Waiting for the New Harry Potter Series and Film?
The plot of “The Cursed Child” revolves around time travel — but for now, it’s only a stage production
