Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group, has shared an update on the forthcoming Harry Potter TV series during her appearance at MIPCOM in Cannes, an event that 'powers the business of international content rights and co-production.' Dungey confirmed at the event, which was attended by The Hollywood Reporter, that the writing team is now in place and that casting calls have been initiated in the UK and Ireland.
'The process is progressing,' she stated. The series is set to delve deeper into J.K. Rowling's books than the original films. Reflecting on her involvement with the franchise, Dungey expressed, 'It's an incredible dream, truly, and as someone who is a massive fan of the books, the chance to explore them in greater detail than a two-hour film allows... that's the essence of this journey.'
Several actors from the original films have previously voiced their belief that the adaptations did not fully capture the depth of the characters and storylines, reinforcing the need for a more comprehensive exploration. The series is planned to run for seven seasons, one for each book, aiming for a (theoretically) thorough and nuanced retelling of the story.
In September, HBO launched an open casting call for children in the United Kingdom to audition for the main roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The casting call encourages children of all ethnicities to apply for these key roles, despite the franchise facing criticism over the controversial views of its creator, J.K. Rowling, particularly regarding gender and sexuality, which have caused some fans and actors from the original films to distance themselves.
Last month, HBO CEO Casey Bloys highlighted that, although casting is in progress, the series is still in the writing phase. 'Writers have begun their work,' he said, adding that director Mark Mylod and the team are in the process of hiring department heads. Bloys indicated that production is not expected to commence until 2025, with a potential release on HBO and Max in late 2026 or 2027.
During the same Cannes discussion, Dungey addressed speculation about a potential fourth season of Ted Lasso, revealing that discussions are ongoing and that cast members' options have been extended. 'It's still early stages,' she remarked, hinting at the anticipation surrounding Jason Sudeikis's possible return.
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