HBO’s Harry Potter series premieres on Friday, December 25, 2026 on HBO and HBO Max. The first season is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, it has eight episodes, and HBO has already renewed the show for a second season based on Chamber of Secrets. Below are the cast, trailers, the Season 2 news and where to watch.
Last updated on October 29, 2026, after HBO announced the casting of James Potter, Lily Potter and Charlie Weasley. We update this page as HBO shares more.
Harry Potter HBO Series at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
| Premiere date | Friday, December 25, 2026 |
| Where to watch | HBO and HBO Max |
| Season 1 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, eight episodes |
| Harry, Ron and Hermione | Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton |
| Showrunner | Francesca Gardiner |
| Season 2 | Renewed, based on Chamber of Secrets, now filming |
| Plan for the series | One season per book |
Harry Potter HBO Series Release Date and Episodes
Season 1 arrives on Christmas Day 2026, earlier than the 2027 window HBO had first given. It adapts Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone across eight episodes. HBO has not yet announced the premiere time or the episode-by-episode release schedule, so it is not yet known whether episodes will arrive weekly. We will add the schedule here when HBO confirms it.
Harry Potter HBO Series Cast: Who Plays Who
The young leads are Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Alastair Stout as Ron and Arabella Stanton as Hermione. Here is the confirmed Season 1 cast.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Hogwarts staff
| Character | Actor |
| Harry Potter | Dominic McLaughlin |
| Ron Weasley | Alastair Stout |
| Hermione Granger | Arabella Stanton |
| Albus Dumbledore | John Lithgow |
| Minerva McGonagall | Janet McTeer |
| Severus Snape | Paapa Essiedu |
| Rubeus Hagrid | Nick Frost |
| Quirinus Quirrell | Luke Thallon |
| Argus Filch | Paul Whitehouse |
| Garrick Ollivander | Anton Lesser |
Students
| Character | Actor |
| Draco Malfoy | Lox Pratt |
| Seamus Finnigan | Leo Earley |
| Parvati Patil | Alessia Leoni |
| Lavender Brown | Sienna Moosah |
Families and the wizarding world
| Character | Actor |
| Molly Weasley | Katherine Parkinson |
| Ginny Weasley (Season 1) | Gracie Cochrane |
| Charlie Weasley | Harry Gilby |
| James Potter | Jasper Talbot |
| Lily Potter | Hannah Chinn |
| Lucius Malfoy | Johnny Flynn |
| Cornelius Fudge | Bertie Carvel |
| Vernon Dursley | Daniel Rigby |
| Petunia Dursley | Bel Powley |
| Dudley Dursley | Amos Kitson |
The newest casting, announced on October 27, added Harry Gilby as Charlie Weasley, Jasper Talbot as James Potter and Hannah Chinn as Lily Potter. Charlie is a Weasley brother the original films largely left out. HBO has not announced who plays Voldemort.
If you grew up with the films, you may remember Alan Rickman as Snape. Paapa Essiedu now takes the role, and you can read about the actor who defined it in our Alan Rickman tribute. For the film-era cast reunion, see our Return to Hogwarts guide.
Harry Potter HBO Series Trailers
HBO released the first teaser on March 25, 2026, which also revealed the Christmas Day premiere and the first-season title. A second trailer followed on September 2, 2026, showing Harry’s arrival at Hogwarts, the Sorting and some Quidditch.
Harry Potter Season 2: Chamber of Secrets
HBO renewed the series for a second season on May 6, 2026, months before Season 1 airs. Season 2 adapts Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, with Jon Brown joining Francesca Gardiner as co-showrunner, and production is under way at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. HBO has not announced a Season 2 release date, and HBO chief Casey Bloys has said the wait between seasons will not be two years.
| Season 2 character | Actor |
| Gilderoy Lockhart | Kit Harington |
| Dobby | Lenny Rush |
| Tom Riddle | Billy Barratt |
| Ginny Weasley | Bonnie Hill |
| Arthur Weasley | Rafe Spall |
Kit Harington took over the role of Lockhart after Nicholas Hoult, who was first cast, left because of scheduling conflicts. Bonnie Hill replaces Gracie Cochrane as Ginny for Season 2.
Who Is Making the Harry Potter HBO Series?
Francesca Gardiner is the showrunner and writer, and Mark Mylod directs multiple episodes. J.K. Rowling and David Heyman are executive producers. HBO has said the plan is one season for each of the seven books.
Where to Watch the Harry Potter HBO Series
In the US, the series debuts on HBO and streams on HBO Max. HBO Max is also the home of the series in the UK and Ireland. Where HBO Max is available, the show streams there, and it is not expected on Netflix, Disney+ or Prime Video.
Harry Potter HBO Series FAQ
When does the Harry Potter HBO series premiere?
Friday, December 25, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max.
How many episodes are in Harry Potter Season 1?
Eight episodes, adapting Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Who plays Harry Potter in the HBO series?
Dominic McLaughlin plays Harry, with Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger.
Who plays Dumbledore in the HBO series?
John Lithgow.
Who plays Snape in the HBO series?
Paapa Essiedu.
Who plays Hagrid in the HBO series?
Nick Frost.
Who plays Draco Malfoy in the HBO series?
Lox Pratt plays Draco, and Johnny Flynn plays his father, Lucius Malfoy.
Who plays Voldemort in the HBO series?
HBO has not announced the actor.
Who plays James and Lily Potter?
Jasper Talbot plays James Potter and Hannah Chinn plays Lily Potter.
Is there a Harry Potter Season 2?
Yes. HBO renewed the show in May 2026 for a second season based on Chamber of Secrets, and it is now filming. There is no release date yet.
Who plays Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2?
Kit Harington, who replaced Nicholas Hoult.
Will the series cover all seven books?
HBO has said the plan is one season per book, seven seasons in all.
Where can I watch the Harry Potter HBO series?
On HBO and HBO Max in the US, and on HBO Max in the UK and Ireland.
