Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, is buzzing with excitement as the Harry Potter television series moves closer to becoming a reality. Warner Bros. Discovery announced in April that they would be bringing the beloved wizarding world to their streaming service, Max. Now, the process is heating up as a group of writers compete for the opportunity to adapt J.K. Rowling’s iconic seven books.
The writers presenting their visions to Max and Warner Bros. Television include Martha Hillier, Kathleen Jordan, Tom Moran, and Michael Lesslie. This talented mix of British and American writers has been commissioned by Max to create pitches for a series that reflects their unique perspectives on the Harry Potter universe.
The first round of pitch meetings recently took place in Los Angeles, with the top choices expected to move on to the next round in the UK. While it remains unclear how involved J.K. Rowling has been in the process, as she resides in Edinburgh, she is expected to play a role in the decision-making process as an executive producer of the series.
There may also be an opportunity for more than one of these writers to be involved, as Max is open to the possibility of developing multiple ideas based on Harry Potter. However, it’s important to note that the process is still in its early stages, and a representative for Max has declined to comment on the matter.
Each writer brings their own unique experience and creativity to the table. Martha Hillier, known for her work on Netflix and BBC fantasy series “The Last Kingdom,” has also worked on British soaps like “EastEnders” and “Holby City.” Kathleen Jordan created the Netflix series “Teenage Bounty Hunters” and is collaborating with “Orange Is The New Black” creator Jenji Kohan on “The Decameron.” Tom Moran, the creator of Amazon series “The Devil’s Hour,” and Michael Lesslie, writer of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes,” bring their own impressive resumes to the project.
Brontë Film and TV, chaired by Rowling’s agent Neil Blair, will be producing the Harry Potter series in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television. The series will be executive produced by Rowling, Blair, Brontë CEO Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman, who produced the Harry Potter movies.
David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, has previously stated that the Harry Potter series on Max will span a decade. The enduring popularity of the books, with 600 million copies sold worldwide, has led to a vast Wizarding World franchise, including retail stores, theme parks, and the successful Fantastic Beasts movies.
As the Harry Potter television series progresses, fans around the world eagerly await more news and updates. The opportunity to delve back into this beloved magical world promises to captivate audiences for years to come.