Harry Potter series set for 2026 debut amid casting buzz

The Harry Potter brand is currently a goldmine not only for content but also for profit. Books in new editions, movies, games, LEGO bricks, gadgets, clothes, mugs, sweets—there's plenty for fans of the magical saga. It’s no wonder that major studios are capitalizing on this: appealing to the nostalgia of old viewers and cultivating a new generation of "Harry Potter" enthusiasts.

The "Fantastic Beasts" movie series was not as successful as expected, but the MAX series has a chance to compensate by taking us back into the magical universe. Although the showrunners had plenty to explore, like the formation of the Order of the Phoenix and the First Wizarding War, they chose to expand the storylines and provide a fuller adaptation of the books. Each book will have its own season, introducing new characters and previously omitted subplots. And there were indeed quite a few of those.

The cast of the "Harry Potter" series is not yet known, but rumors suggest that Paapa Essiedu is a potential candidate for the role of Severus Snape, originally played by Alan Rickman in the films.

Paapa Essiedu is a British actor known for "I May Destroy You." "The Hollywood Reporter" reports that he has been offered the role, although official negotiations have not yet started. In the book, Severus Snape is described as a tall man with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin. The first choice among fans to play the potions master would undoubtedly be Adam Driver; for a younger version, Ezra Miller was often considered (before their controversial period).

Currently, MAX is searching for children to play Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but it's unclear what stage the casting process is at. Various sources also report that Mark Rylance ("Dunkirk," "The Trial of the Chicago 7," "Bridge of Spies") is set to be cast as Dumbledore. For now, it seems the producers are adhering to J.K. Rowling's original guidelines, primarily considering British actors.