“We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life,” said Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer. Other executive producers include Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.

With the first released in 1997, Harry Potter books have sold over 600 million copies worldwide. The much-anticipated HBO series is expected to bring a new generation to the stories of the wondrous boy wizard and his escapades. It will stream exclusively on Max.

According to Warner, the original eight films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch around the world. Daniel Radcliffe starred as Harry Potter in all the films, and as Lithgow foreshadowed, will be forever linked to the role.

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