Harry Potter: Books vs Series

Books vs Series · The unofficial guide to HBO's Harry Potter

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Seasons

HBO’s Harry Potter will adapt the seven books, one per season.

When the series was announced, HBO said that “Each season will be authentic to the original books” [source]. Season 1, Philosopher’s Stone, has eight episodes [source].

Season 1Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997)Premieres 25 December 2026
Season 2Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)Filming
Season 3Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)Not yet in production
Season 4Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)Not yet in production
Season 5Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)Not yet in production
Season 6Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)Not yet in production
Season 7Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)Not yet in production

How long between seasons?

HBO has not announced a date for season 2. HBO’s chief content officer, Casey Bloys, said in March 2026: “Our goal is to not have a huge gap, you know, especially because the kids are growing.” He added: “It’s not going to be an annual; the show is too big and too massive.” [source]

See also: episodes, release date and every difference from the books.

Premiere

25 Decon HBO Max

Books vs Series

Difference 001 of 15

Snape’s skin colour

Books: Snape has “sallow skin” (PS, ch. 7).

Series: he is played by Paapa Essiedu, a Black British actor.

All 15 differences »

Posters

Harry character poster, HBO's Harry Potter
Harry

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Latest updates

13 November 2026
New pages: a page for each actor, the ages of the cast, new scenes not in the book, houses and uniforms, magical creatures and music. More »

13 November 2026
New page: sets and filming locations, from the new Hogwarts at Leavesden to London Zoo, King’s Cross and the Cornish coast. More »

13 November 2026
Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout, the new Harry, Hermione and Ron, talked to Scholastic News about the auditions, getting the parts and filming. More »

10 November 2026
Snape actor Paapa Essiedu told Vanity Fair he still doesn’t really know what happens in Deathly Hallows, and was baffled by Dumbledore’s death. More »

All news »

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Book references are to the UK editions: PS = Philosopher's Stone, CoS = Chamber of Secrets. · About this site · Page updated