The Wizarding World is getting ready to watch the new adaptation of the Harry Potter books, as HBO Max's series premiere is drawing closer. Well, it's still going to be a while before we get to see the show on our screens, but as more casting, production, and magical news keep breaking, the beginning of this new era seems a tad closer.
As we all know, the original screen adaptations of the books were the eight blockbuster films released by Warner Bros. from 2001 to 2011. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively, the golden trio became international stars due to the film's popularity, as these also garnered positive critical reviews and over 7.7 billion dollars at the box office, making it one of Hollywood's most profitable franchises ever.
Johnny Flynn will take on the role of Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter series
In 2021, it was announced that the series was in development, with official casting decisions to be publicised in 2025. Variety reported in early June 2025 that English actor Johnny Flynn would portray villain Lucius Malfoy, a Slytherin former student who is notorious for being a bullying snob and the father of Harry's archnemesis, Draco Malfoy, who Lox Pratt will portray.
Lucius Malfoy was previously portrayed by English actor Jason Isaacs, who terrified and electrified audiences whenever he appeared on our screens as the icy, shrewd, and evil Death Eater. When asked by Entertainment Weekly what his thoughts were on Flynn now carrying the magical Malfoy torch, Isaacs responded, "Johnny will do his own thing... maybe he'll be more charming. I doubt that he'll look like me, because that was the look I came up with, and he's far too original to want to copy anything."
Isaacs had previously revealed that he was the one who came up with Lucius Malfoy's unforgettable blonde wig. As Isaacs and Flynn had worked together on the film Operation Mincemeat, it was fair to assume they had some contact, perhaps even regarding their future shared role. When asked if Flynn had petitioned Isaacs for tips regarding Lucius Malfoy, Isaacs merely smirked before saying he'd been the one to text Flynn and was sure Flynn would do his own wicked interpretation, as he's a phenomenal actor.
Flynn has been acting for 20 years, earning recognition and praise for his work in projects such as Lovesick, Stardust, Emma, and One Life. He's also a well-known singer and songwriter, leading his own band, Johnny Flynn & the Sussex Wit.
Isaacs provided further insight into HBO Max's vision for the Wizarding World, noting that this new series is reconstructing the entire world according to their vision and will be entirely different from what we've previously seen in the films mentioned above and the Fantastic Beasts trilogy. Isaacs adds, "They're redesigning Hogwarts and the costumes and they're writing all these fabulous new scripts... and it'll be fab. It'll be for a new generation. It'll be their version of Harry Potter."
Only time will tell if these changes will be to the fans' liking, both new and longtime ones. The first season is set to premiere in early 2027 on the HBO Max streaming platform, consisting of eight episodes and will adapt the first book of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.