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If the hype around theHarry PotterTV series wasn’t shaky enough already, a new delay seems to be causing even more trouble. The delay has triggered a glaring issue with the reboot’s production, and the makers will have to change their approach if they intend to overcome it.
The HBO original series, which shifted hands from Max, has been in development since 2021. Casting has been the major talking point of the show, since it will feature new faces playing iconic characters already seen in the films.Fancasts and rumorshave been aplenty since the first announcement, with some choices receiving mixed-to-bad reactions online. But right now, theHarry PotterTV series has a completely different casting problem at hand that needs an immediate rethink in strategy.
Further Delay ForHarry PotterTV Series
HBO Pushes Release Date To 2027
There’s not a lot of confirmed information about theHarry PotterTV series, except that itrevives the original Hogwarts storylineand is planned to run for 10 consecutive years. It hasn’t been revealed who will be playing the main trio of wizards – Harry, Ron, and Hermione. But, just like Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson from the films, the actors cast in these roles would be growing up in real life alongside their characters in the series.
But if the show follows general TV production trends, it faces the risk of having its child actors become a little too grown-up for their roles, especially by the time they reach the final seasons. A recent indication suggests that the show, which waspreviously aiming for a 2026 launch, is now expected to arrive only by 2027. This was confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming Chief J.B. Perrette in a press conference,according toVariety.
As you look at ’26 and into ’27, you begin a 10-year journey on the ‘Harry Potter’ series, which we’re super excited about. And I’d argue, may be the biggest event by the time we get to that series.
Delay Triggers Aging Problem For Child Actors
The New Trio Should Look Young Enough
It has almost become standard for two seasons of a TV show to take at least two or three years of production between each other. This might cause an aging problem when it comes to this show’s child actors. So, regardless of any further delays, HBO must ensure that the shooting schedule and release schedule are managed separately to avoid having the actors look too old for their roles, especially in consecutive seasons or episodes.
This is particularly important sincecasting for these rolesbegan earlier this year. By the time the first season drops, three years will have already passed. Moreover, the casting directors will have to sift through a staggering 32,000 audition tapes from young actors vying for these three lead roles. Warner Bros. TV Group Chairman Channing Dungey even addressed this concern earlier.
The first step for us is figuring out who this showrunner is going to be and once we get that locked down, then we can start having those [casting] conversations. The tricky part is the first two books, where the kids are on the younger end, around 11 or 12.
HowHarry PotterCan Fix Its Age Problem
90s Style TV Production Strategy
To solve this problem, themakers of theHarry PotterTV seriesmust revisit some techniques used in 90s television production. Back in the day, there used to be almost a new season every year, even though each one had twice or thrice the number of episodes that we get today. This strategy could allow HBO to release a solid full season every year while still managing to match the ages of the actors and characters fairly well.
Shooting Seasons Back-To-Back
This would mean having to shoot the planned seven or eight seasons in just under four to five years to ensure the actors don’t age out of their roles. As a result, HBO would have to spend more, but this is a risk they should be willing to take to ensure quality. A reward that comes with this risk could also include better production value, as resources like sets and costumes would be more concentrated for each schedule. This is essentially borrowing a page from theLord of the Ringsproduction playbook.
Shooting two-part movies or two seasons back-to-back is a tried-and-tested technique, soHarry Potterhas nothing to worry about here. Marvel did this by shootingInfinity WarandEndgametogether. Even the upcomingSquid Gameseasons 2 and 3 have been filmed back-to-back. In fact, the best example is within the franchise itself, asHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1andPart 2were actually shot together.
Continuous Production Can Improve Quality
The Harry Potter IP Is Too Strong To Fail
This approach saves logistical hassle, and it’s also an easygoal forHarry Potterto pull off. It’s not a new IP being adapted to film, and has previous outlines or references to model itself after. Today, one reason for the long gaps between show seasons could be due to the fact that actors or showrunners get busy with other projects at the same time. However, given the value of theHarry PotterIP and the fact that the child actors would be readily available, they should be able to film a season every year, if plans go well.
The makers could even faceaStranger Thingssituation, where the actors started out as literal children and are now fully grown adults by the time season 5 comes out. Looking back at theoriginalHarry Pottermovies, the TV series could gain some confidence in handling this aging issue. The eight films were released over a span of 10 years, from 2001 to 2011, which mirrors the 10-year plan from HBO for the upcoming show. So, as long as the new set of child actors follow a steady aging pattern on a visual level, theHarry PotterTV series reboot should be good to go.
