Sarah Aubrey from HBO Max Talks About the Unique Financial Commitment Behind the New ‘Harry Potter’ Series
HBO Max Unveils Ambitious Plans for New Harry Potter Series
At Series Mania in Lille, Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Programming for HBO Max, shared extensive details about the upcoming Harry Potter television series, calling it “a financial investment that normally you wouldn’t make with a television show.”
Aubrey’s comments came as she discussed the series and revealed exclusive behind-the-scenes footage showcasing the set in Leavesden, UK, where influencers had been granted special access.
“We’ve made such a big commitment to this show,” Aubrey stated. “We’re committed to filming all the books. We’ve made a financial investment that normally you wouldn’t make with a television show.”
Describing the emotional impact of the Harry Potter universe, she noted, “The world created is truly extraordinary. Fan after fan would come through, round an alley into Diagon Alley and to a person they burst into tears. It’s very special working on something that means so much. It’s a lot of pressure, but also rewarding.”
Her remarks coincided with the release of a first-look image featuring the new title star, Dominic McLaughlin, who is seen from behind in a Gryffindor cloak approaching a Quidditch game. Aubrey expressed excitement about the project, saying, “The journey with these incredible books continues, and I’m so excited for all of you to be a part of it.”
The series stars McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. Adult leads include Paapa Essiedu, John Lithgow, and Janet McTeer, with filming ongoing in the UK since the summer.
Aubrey also touched on the intense fan interest in new cast members, describing how online observers quickly deduced the casting of Draco Malfoy, played by Lox Pratt, after examining social media connections. “On the day when we cast the kids, Dominic, Alastair, and Arabella, within two hours, someone had looked at one of their Instagram feeds and figured out through who they were friends with who we were casting as Malfoy,” she recounted. “They posted and said, ‘This kid looks like a perfect Malfoy.’ The fact they did that extrapolating in hours was a little like ‘woah, that’s what this whole thing is going to be like.’”
Francesca Gardiner is writing and executive producing the series, with Mark Mylod serving as executive producer and director for multiple episodes. The project is a collaboration between HBO, Brontë Film and TV, and Warner Bros Television, featuring J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts as executive producers, along with David Heyman from Heyday Films. The acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer is also on board for the series.
