Katarzyna Petru
HBO Max is increasingly boldly speaking about its series based on Harry Potter, which is set to debut at the beginning of 2027. The production was announced in 2023 as a multi-year adaptation of J.K. Rowling's seven books. According to the announcements, it will be a project planned for a decade and seven seasons, with greater narrative freedom than in the cinematic films. The authorities at Warner Bros. Discovery suggest that the series is meant to surpass the scale of the platform's previous productions. There are even comparisons to the biggest streaming hits of recent years. The ambitions are clear: HBO wants to create an event on an unprecedented scale.
“Next level” in relation to films
The head of global streaming at Warner Bros. Discovery, J.B. Perrette, emphasised that the serial format will allow for storytelling in a way that is impossible to achieve in a two-hour film. Creators are to delve into previously omitted threads and expand the world of wizards with greater attention to detail. The studio announces the production as the biggest event in the history of HBO Max, and perhaps even the entire streaming market.
Huge budget and long-term plan
Although the official figures have not been confirmed, industry estimates suggest costs in the range of $75–100 million per episode. With 6–8 episodes planned for the first season and a total of seven seasons, the overall budget could reach several billion dollars. The series is set to be produced to the highest production standards, with HBO traditionally opting for 4K HDR visuals and Dolby Atmos sound.
The cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, and J.K. Rowling serves as the executive producer and is involved in the creative process. The author has previously publicly praised the first episodes of the script.
The Harry Potter series is set to be one of the most ambitious projects in the history of HBO Max. The multi-year plan, enormous budget, and declarations of it being the “biggest event in streaming” clearly show the scale of expectations. The final result will only be known in 2027, but it is already evident that Warner Bros. Discovery aims to produce something that will define the next decade of the platform.
source: Deadline
