It appears that a trip back to Hogwarts is imminent because Warner Bros. is allegedly close to finalizing a deal to launch a Harry Potter television series at HBO Max. J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, is reportedly leading development and is close to joining the project as a producer alongside Warner Bros. Television, even though the agreement has not yet been finalized.
Although there are few specifics, Bloomberg reports that each season of the upcoming series will be based on one of Rowling's seven Harry Potter novels. This probably means that new stories will start to emerge that correspond with the events of the novels and the ensuing movies. According to Bloomberg, HBO and Warner Bros. are extending the seasons' plotlines in an effort to "delve further into the world of Rowling's books." David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros, and Casey Bloys, the president of HBO Max, have been attempting to enlist Rowling for the endeavor. Rowling did write and co-produce the three Fantastic Beasts spinoff movies, but if the deal goes through, it would be the first time since 2011's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 that she had approved a film or television adaptation from the Harry Potter world.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint were the stars of the Harry Potter movies, but it is unknown if any of the three will return for the forthcoming series, or even if the show will feature any of their characters. What is evident is that, despite being engaged in the show's development, Rowling would not serve as its showrunner or primary creator, according to Bloomberg. Instead, to guarantee that the overall vision of the show stays true to her initial books, the author will act as a producer. While preparing to launch a unified streaming service with content from HBO and Discovery, Warner Bros. has reportedly been on the cusp of developing a Harry Potter TV show for a number of years. The news of the show comes as the company looks to develop a new streaming strategy based on existing IPs.
Given that Rowling has drawn criticism over the years for some of her outspoken opinions against the transgender community, the series may suffer as a result of her participation. This includes her assertion that "erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives" in relation to the transgender community, among other contentious tweets about transgender women. After claiming to support "every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them," Rowling went on to make more anti-LGBTQ comments and write essays that are critical of transgender people. Many people in the Harry Potter world, such as Radcliffe, Watson, Grint, and Fantastic Beasts actor Eddie Redmayne, have taken to criticizing her rhetoric.
It's not looking good for Rowling's bank account with all of these ongoing debates surrounding her LGBTQ views. According to a recent report, the profits of Bront Film and TV, a production business in which Rowling holds a majority stake, dropped by 74%. While some of this slip can be attributed to the suspension of performances during COVID-19, the Broadway spinoff Harry Potter and the Cursed Child had reopened by 2021, meaning at least a portion of that profit loss occurred after the play's return - and amidst Rowling's controversial comments. Therefore, it is probable that Rowling is not benefiting from these ongoing scandals; it is still unclear how the general public will view this new series.
