Summary
Harry PotterTV series showrunner and director Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod shared details on the differences between the show and the acclaimed movies.
TheHarry PotterTV series was announced as a “decade-long” “faithful” adaptation of JK Rowling’s books. While theHarry Pottermovies are mostly regarded as successful adaptations of Rowling’s books, they understandably had to cut material to accommodate the runtime of an average feature film. With more time to explore the source material throughout multiple television seasons, there will undoubtedly bedifferences between theHarry PotterTV series and the movies.
During an appearance at the Max showcase in London, Gardiner and Mylod commented on someHarry PotterTV series characters, locations, and stories that weren’t included in the movies. Perhaps most notable was the fact that theHarry PotterTV series will remain faithful to the characters' canonical ages. This means Severus Snape will only be 31 as opposed to his age in the movies, where he was played by Alan Rickman, who was in his ’50s when he first started playing the character. Actor Paapa Essiedu is reportedly eyed to playSeverus Snape in theHarry PotterTV series. While Gardiner and Mylod didn’t reveal any casting announcements or confirmations, they did note that even though no one can replace Rickman, they can find the next generation of talent.
The duo also confirmed that theHarry PotterTV will includePeeves the mischievous Poltergeist. The character was included in the firstHarry Pottermovie,The Philosopher’s Stone, with Rik Mayall in the role. However, Peeves' scenes were cut from the film and he was not included in any sequels, despite the character appearing in all of Rowling’sHarry Potterbooks. Instead, Peeves' role in the books was largely given to the character Argus Filch in the films. TheHarry PotterTV series will also explore new areas in Hogwarts such as the staffroom. “We have 8 hours to tell the first book,” the pair said. “So we can dig into the real depths and crevices and how the language of magic can evolve.”
So, theHarry PotterTV series won’t be a simple rehash of the movies. But is that enough to interest viewers? Even if fans were disappointed to see certain characters and storylines cut from the movies, theHarry Potterfilms are widely regarded as modern classics on par with other blockbuster franchises likeStar Wars. This is in no small part due to the ensemble cast that brought the iconic characters to life, especially Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Fans have high expectations of theHarry PotterTV series that may be difficult to meet. This is partly why some fear theHarry PotterTV series is doomed to fail. Time will tell, but the creative team is certainly trying to ensure the series stands apart from the movies.
TheHarry PotterTV series is expected to premiere on Max in 2026 or 2027.
Harry Potter
When Harry Potter learns that he is a wizard, he enters a world beyond belief. Aside from continuing his studies at Hogwarts with best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry must also face Voldemort and his dark wizarding forces. The Harry Potter franchise is a worldwide phenomenon, spanning seven books, eight movies, three spinoff movies, a stage play, and numerous video games.
