HBO’s Harry Potter television series has started production at Leavesden Studios, UK, unveiling a first look at Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter. The series, set for a 2027 premiere, introduces a fresh cast and a talented creative team.

Dominic McLaughlin, selected from over 30,000 auditionees, dons Harry’s iconic glasses and robes, joined by Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Their first-look image, released July 14, 2025, sparked excitement online.

New cast members include Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. Previously announced stars like John Lithgow (Dumbledore) and Paapa Essiedu (Snape) bolster the ensemble.

Additional casting features Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy. Leo Earley (Seamus Finnigan), Alessia Leoni (Parvati Patil), and Bel Powley (Petunia Dursley) also join the magical lineup.

The creative team includes Adriano Goldman (director of photography), Cate Hall (hair and makeup), and Holly Waddington (costume designer). Paul Herbert leads stunts, while John Nolan oversees creature effects, ensuring the wizarding world’s visual authenticity.

Mara LePere-Schloop serves as production designer, with Naomi Moore as set decorator. Mark Holt and Alexis Wajsbrot handle special and visual effects, respectively, promising a visually stunning adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga.

Francesca Gardiner, known for Succession, writes and executive produces, while Mark Mylod (Game of Thrones) directs multiple episodes. J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman executive produce, ensuring fidelity to the source material.

Each of Rowling’s seven books will form a season, allowing for deeper storytelling than the original films. Season 1, adapting Philosopher’s Stone, is filming until spring 2026, with Season 2 following shortly after a brief hiatus.

The series aims to capture the magic of Hogwarts for a new generation, building on the franchise’s success with theme parks, Cursed Child, and Hogwarts Legacy. Fans on X are buzzing with anticipation.

J.K. Rowling, an executive producer, emphasized the series’ commitment to her books’ integrity, offering detailed storytelling unique to long-form television. Her involvement in selecting the writer and director ensures a faithful adaptation.

Casting the young trio—McLaughlin, Stanton, and Stout—followed an extensive search, mirroring the original films’ discovery of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The new actors bring fresh energy to the beloved characters.

Veteran actors like Janet McTeer (McGonagall) and Nick Frost (Hagrid) add gravitas, while newcomers like Wilmot and Kitson promise to shine. The diverse cast reflects Hogwarts’ rich world, exciting fans globally.

Production at Leavesden Studios, where the original films were shot, evokes nostalgia. The first look at McLaughlin as Harry, shared on X, shows him in a Hogwarts uniform, igniting fan excitement for 2027.

The series’ 2027 HBO and HBO Max debut aligns with Warner Bros. Discovery’s updated timeline, delayed from 2026 to ensure quality. Posts on X reflect fans’ eagerness, though some express cautious optimism about recasting iconic roles.

HBO’s investment in top-tier talent, from Gardiner’s writing to Mylod’s direction, signals ambition. The creative team’s experience with The Crown and Wonder Woman ensures a visually spectacular and emotionally resonant wizarding world.

Fans are particularly excited about the series’ depth, with each season exploring a book’s nuances. The inclusion of lesser-known characters like Lavender Brown (Sienna Moosah) hints at expanded storylines beyond the films.

As production ramps up, HBO’s Harry Potter series promises to rekindle the magic for longtime fans and newcomers. With filming underway and a stellar cast and crew, the wizarding world’s return is set to enchant in 2027.