Harry Potter TV Series Reportedly in Early Development For HBO Max

Get your Quidditch skills up to par, because a live-action Harry Potter series is reportedly in “very early development” at HBO Max. THR reports that executives at the streamer have been taking meetings with writers about potential pitches for a series based on the young adult fantasy franchise.

It’s important to note that this is in the very early states, simply consisting of exploratory meetings according to the site. The outlet notes that some “bread ideas” have been discussed so far.

No deals have been made and no writers or talent are currently attached at this time, which HBO Max and Warner Bros. have affirmed with a statement that diplomatically reads, “There are no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform.”

The Harry Potter franchise has obviously been a major cash cow for WarnerMedia, with the original franchise of films grossing $7.7 billion worldwide. The spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which has released two films with three more on the way, has grossed $1.4 billion worldwide so far.

That said, the franchise also has some complicated rights issues as J.K. Rowling controls the franchise and has a say in anything involving it. NBCUniversal owns the broadcast, cable, and streaming rights due to a seven-year deal signed with Warner Bros. Domestic TV Distribution. That deal, which runs through April of 2025, forced WarnerMedia to make a deal that allowed the Harry Potter films to stream for three months on HBO Max. They will appear on Peacock later this year.