Even Dumbledore’s son doesn’t want a “Harry Potter” TV series.
“Mad Men” star Jared Harris, whose father is the late actor Richard Harris, told The Independent that the “Harry Potter” films shouldn’t be remade into an HBO/Max show. Harris was asked by the publication if he would be open to playing Dumbledore, to which he said, “No, thank you.”
“Also, I mean, why do [a show]? I don’t understand,” Harris said. “The films were fantastic — leave them alone.”
Harris’ father Richard Harris originated the role of Dumbledore in 2001’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and made his final film appearance in 2002’s “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” Richard Harris died in October 2002 at the age of 72.
Michael Gambon later took over the role of Dumbledore for the rest of the film franchise.
To The Independent, Harris acknowledged that a “lot of storytelling” was omitted in the “Harry Potter” films simple due to the time constraints. A series could include more of the IP, which is based on J.K. Rowling’s bestselling novels.
The “Harry Potter” show was announced in 2024, with “Succession” alum Mark Mylod executive producing and directing. The series marks a reunion for Mylod and his fellow “Succession” scribe Francesca Gardiner, who will be serving as showrunner and executive producer. The Potter series is expected to debut in 2026 on HBO and Max.
The official series description promises that the show will be a “faithful adaptation of the beloved ‘Harry Potter’ book series,” featuring a new cast to lead a “new generation” of fans.
Per the synopsis, “each season will bring ‘Harry Potter’ and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally,” seeming to imply an anthology structure for the show coupled with the Warner Bros. films based on the literary franchise.
An open casting call for characters Harry, Ron, and Hermione has been announced in the UK and Ireland. Child actors ages 9 to 11 are invited to audition.
Original “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe will not be appearing in the series. Radcliffe told E! News that he doesn’t “think” he will make a cameo on the show. “Like the rest of the world, [I’m] very excited to watch as an audience member,” Radcliffe said. “I think they very wisely want to [have] a clean break, and I don’t know if it would work to have us do anything in it.”
