Why Daniel Radcliffe Is “Definitely Not Seeking Out” a Cameo in the “Harry Potter” TV Series

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The Wizarding World is expanding once more. On April 12, 2023, Max (formerly known as HBO Max) announced that a Harry Potter television series is officially in the works — nearly 22 years since the first big-screen adaptation debuted in 2001.

Spin-off rumors have been circulating for some time, especially since HBO Max’s Head of Originals Sarah Aubrey told Variety in November 2022 that the streamer was “very much in the business of creating new content” for Harry Potter fans. News of an ordered series first leaked on April 3, but it just now has been confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.

However, the spin-off series has been met with mixed feelings, as J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter book series, is attached to the project as an executive producer. Over the past few years, the author has faced repeated backlash for the several hateful and transphobic comments she’s made online. Since then, original franchise stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have expressed their support for the trans community and have seemed to distance themselves from Rowling. While many cast members reunited for Max’s Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts special in January 2022, Rowling was not featured.

Given the show’s newness, we can’t say for sure how it will differ from the witchcraft and wizardry of the films. But in the meantime, we’re breaking down everything we know (so far) about the Harry Potter series on Max.

What will the Harry Potter series be about?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will have a decade-long timeline. It will feature an entirely new cast from the original films, and each season will be based on one of the seven Harry Potter books authored by J.K. Rowling.

“The stories from each of Rowling’s Harry Potter books will become a decade-long series produced with the same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for. The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail, much loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years,” the official series description reads, per The Hollywood Reporter. “Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”

When will the Harry Potter series premiere?

Max has not yet confirmed a release date for the reboot series.

Who stars in the Harry Potter series?

Casting details also remain hush-hush. It’s unclear if showrunners have started the process, but according to Deadline, the series is searching for a writer.

Will any OG Harry Potter stars appear in the Max series?

It’s unclear if any former franchise stars will appear in the new series — but don’t expect Daniel Radcliffe, the OG Boy Who Lived, to return to the Wizarding World. In a July 2023 interview with ComicBook.com, the actor said he’s not interested in heading back to Hogwarts, but he wishes the new wizards and witches the best.

“My understanding is that they're trying to very much start fresh and I'm sure whoever is making them will want to make their own mark on it and probably not want to have to figure out how to get old Harry to cameo in this somewhere,” he said. “So I'm definitely not seeking it out in any way. But I do wish them, obviously, all the luck in the world and I'm very excited to have that torch passed. But I don't think it needs me to physically pass it.”

Is there a trailer?

Not yet. The series was just announced, so for now, the only clip that’s been released is the announcement teaser (see above). In the meantime, you can catch up on the entire Harry Potter saga, streaming now on Max.⚡️

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