‘Harry Potter’ Series Is ‘Such a Delightful Adaptation,’ HBO Max Exec Says: ‘When People Watch It’ They Will Think, ‘These Are the Books’

HBO‘s upcoming “Harry Potter” series is shaping up to be “such a delightful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s books, according to HBO Max head of original content Sarah Aubrey.

Speaking on a panel at Content London on Wednesday, Aubrey revealed that she is visiting the set of the series tomorrow. “I just keep thinking, it’s such a delightful adaptation of the books,” she teased. “And I think when people watch it, they think, ‘These are the books.'”

Aubrey added that the series is a great representation of the U.K. industry as a whole. “It’s created by a British writer, it’s directed by a British filmmaker and its craftspeople are the best that this country has to offer,” she said. “I’m so excited for everyone to see it.”

The upcoming “Harry Potter” series is currently filming at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and is targeting a 2027 release, with each season dedicated to one of Rowling’s books. Led by showrunner Francesca Gardiner (“His Dark Materials”) and “Succession” director Mark Mylod, the series stars newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton as Harry, Ron and Hermione, respectively.

Aubrey’s keynote at Content London came just a few hours after HBO Max announced a Jan. 13 launch date for the streamer in territories including Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. During her presentation, Aubrey spoke about the original content HBO Max has in the pipeline in those countries, including German production “4 Blocks Zero,” which she teased as a “fantastic, gritty thriller,” and Marco Bellocchio’s Italian series “Portobello,” which she said “swept the festival circuit.” She also revealed that Spanish original series “Rage,” which became the country’s third most-watched premiere on HBO Max since 2021, has been renewed for a second season.