A new era is dawning for the world’s most famous sorcerer’s apprentice: The adventures of Harry Potter are to be published as a TV series. The US streaming service HBO Max announced the project on Wednesday (US local time) and announced a “faithful adaptation” of the “iconic” books.
British best-selling author J.K. Rowling, who wrote the seven Harry Potter novels, is on board as executive producer. David Heymann, who produced all the films, is also said to be in talks about his participation.
HBO Max released a trailer lasting around half a minute, in which a melody known from previous film adaptations can be heard and a number of flying, burning candles – reminiscent of the typical decoration of the dining room at Hogwarts Magic School – are composed into a Harry Potter lettering.
According to the “Hollywood Reporter”, the HBO Max series, in which a completely new cast will embody Harry, Hermione, Ron and the other well-known characters, is scheduled to run for ten years.
The magical world of a magic school
In 1997, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was released, the first volume in the saga about the magic student and the magical world of the magic school Hogwarts. With more than 500 million books sold in around 80 languages, Harry Potter is the most successful literary series in the world. Eight feature films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson followed in the fantasy series from 2001 to 2011.
In the meantime, a whole universe has emerged around the bestseller series: In London, for example, you can go to a Harry Potter play that lasts more than five hours or visit Harry Potter film sets and famous props in the Warner Studios. Recently, the adventures of the sorcerer’s apprentice also came out as a video game called “Hogwarts Legacy” and developed into a gaming success within a very short time – and these are just a few examples of many.
Not all fans will like the fact that Rowling himself is involved in the new production. In recent years, there has been increasing criticism of the best-selling author’s anti-trans statements and there has also been a debate as to whether one should distance oneself from her works. Even Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe, known from the film adaptations, openly criticized Rowling.
HBO Max boss Casey Bloys defended the cooperation. Rowling’s insights would be very helpful, he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. They don’t want to get into the mostly online debate about the author’s attitudes. “The Harry Potter story is very empowering and positive in terms of love and acceptance, that’s our priority, what’s on screen.”
