Streaming deals, restructuring talk, and takeover speculation are dominating conversations around Warner Bros. Discovery this week, yet one corner of the company is moving forward with unusual clarity. The Harry Potter franchise is entering one of its busiest eras yet, with a recent announcement confirming that we’re getting even more Wizarding World content in the coming years.
Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix are each preparing proposals to buy all or parts of Warner Bros., according to industry reports. Even so, the new Harry Potter series — already filming in the UK — is expected to continue unaffected.
‘Harry Potter’ Reboot Pushes Ahead
The HBO adaptation, which plans to cover each of J.K. Rowling’s seven novels across multiple seasons, has confirmed Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
John Lithgow, Nick Frost, and Paapa Essiedu join them in major supporting roles, with the latter’s casting sparking controversy with some Harry Potter fans.
Daniel Radcliffe recently offered a rare comment on his successor during a Good Morning America appearance. “I wouldn’t say that anyone who is going to play Harry has to [call me],” he said. “I wrote to Dominic and I sent him a letter and he sent me a very sweet note back.”
Filming began earlier this year at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden — the complex that housed the original eight films. Early glimpses from the set suggest a familiar visual style, though the creative team has said this version will spend more time on storylines that the films condensed or removed.
Judging by recent set images, it will also create entirely new scenes and storylines, with Nicolas Flamel (creator of the Philosopher’s Stone) set to play an onscreen role.
The franchise is also expanding with immersive audiobooks. Audible launched a rapid-fire schedule beginning November 4 with Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone. Chamber of Secrets follows on December 16, with the remaining books scheduled monthly through May 2026.
Season 2 Writing Begins as JK Rowling Visits the Set
Work has already started on Season 2, even as the first season continues shooting.
HBO and HBO Max chief Casey Bloys confirmed the dual timeline during a recent press preview, outlining a plan designed to avoid long gaps between installments and keep the young cast aligned with their characters’ ages.
“They’re still shooting Season 1, obviously. They’re writing Season 2,” Bloys said (via Variety). He added that the team hopes to avoid “massive gaps,” though some degree of a break will be required for a production of this size.
The second season adapts Chamber of Secrets, which follows Harry’s search for the Heir of Slytherin as Hogwarts students are petrified by a mysterious force.
Another milestone arrived for the series this week when J.K. Rowling made her first visit to the Leavesden set on November 19. Deadline reported that it was similar to a royal visit, with the production team clearing space in their diaries to welcome Rowling.
Her presence and involvement continue to draw attention amid ongoing debates surrounding her public comments on transgender issues.
Emma Watson addressed the tensions with Rowling on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, saying, “It’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.”
Rowling later responded on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing: “Emma and Dan in particular have both made it clear over the last few years that they think our former professional association gives them a particular right — nay, obligation — to critique me and my views in public.”
Despite that cultural divide — and the corporate negotiations happening around it — the reboot is advancing at full speed. With a new cast in place, Season 2 underway, and a regular audiobook rollout fueling interest, the Wizarding World is entering one of its most active chapters since the original films ended.
