Casting for the Harry Potter Series has Begun!

The production of the planned Harry Potter series is causing quite a stir. One question in particular is likely to be especially important for the success or failure of the project: Who will play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley? We'll soon know more, because casting for the "Harry Potter" series has begun!

Warner Brothers has now started an open call for the casting of the famous trio. They are looking for children between the ages of 9 and 11 who come from the United Kingdom or Ireland. There are big shoes to fill: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are still inextricably linked with the iconic characters today.

Production of the Harry Potter series is scheduled to begin in April 2025. It is planned that each season will cover the plot of one of the books. Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod will be responsible for the project in the coming years. Both have already worked on the acclaimed HBO series "Succession".

The series is to be released simultaneously on Max and HBO. The aim is to release the "Harry Potter" series in 2026.

A Brief Overview of the Harry Potter Phenomenon

The "Harry Potter" book series, written by British author J.K. Rowling, has become a global phenomenon since its publication. The story, which began in 1997 with the first book "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", follows the orphan boy Harry Potter, who learns at the age of eleven that he is a wizard. He is accepted into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he makes friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and fights against dark forces, in particular the evil wizard Lord Voldemort.

The seven books that tell the story of Harry Potter's battle against Voldemort have been translated into 79 languages and have sold over 500 million copies worldwide. The book series consists of the following titles:

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)

In addition to the literary reach of the books, the stories became globally known through an extremely successful movie series. The movies, released between 2001 and 2011, adapted the books for the big screen and gave the Harry Potter brand a further boost in popularity. The eight movies ("Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" to "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2") grossed over USD 7.7 billion at the global box office and contributed significantly to the enduring popularity of the series. Many of the young actors such as Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermione) and Rupert Grint (Ron) became stars overnight.

Success Beyond the Film Series

The "Harry Potter" franchise quickly expanded beyond books and films. There are now theater productions, including the successful play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", which is considered a continuation of the book series and focuses on Harry's life as an adult and father. The stage production, which premiered in 2016, became a worldwide hit and won numerous awards, including the Tony Award for Best Play.

Another significant part of the magical world is the expansion in the form of the "Fantastic Beasts" movies, which were released from 2016. Set decades before the events of "Harry Potter", these movies focus on the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander as well as the threat posed by dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. This series of films has managed to appeal to new and old fans of the Harry Potter world alike, although it has not achieved quite the same success as the original movies.

The "Harry Potter" phenomenon also extends into pop culture, business and leisure. Amusement parks such as "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Studios offer fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in a recreated version of Hogwarts and Diagon Alley. There are also countless fan articles, merchandise and an enduring fan community that organizes book clubs, online forums and conventions.

The influence of the "Harry Potter" series on the literary world is particularly noteworthy. The books contributed to a huge increase in interest in fantasy literature, especially among young readers. Many children and young people who were inspired to read "Harry Potter" have remained fans as adults.