Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic to Debut on HBO
HBO will debut an exclusive behind-the-scenes special for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone titled Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic.
The special offers an in-depth look at the making of the first season and will debut on Sunday, April 5 at 8:00 pm in the UK (3:00 pm ET/12:00 pm PT in the U.S.) on HBO Max. It will also air on HBO in the U.S. at 8:00 pm ET/PT that evening, as well as in other select global markets.
It’s been 25 years since audiences first walked the hallowed halls of Hogwarts. Now, this exclusive special offers an inside look at the epic scale and meticulous care behind HBO’s new Harry Potter series – told through the lens of the artists, craftspeople, and technicians bringing J.K. Rowling’s beloved books to life for a new generation.
Featuring interviews with members of the casting, production design, costume design, and creature effects teams, the special chronicles the extensive process behind finding the new Harry, Ron, and Hermione – while celebrating the awe-inspiring commitment to detail and immense talent that has come together to fill out this extraordinary world.
With appearances from key cast members, including John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, and Paapa Essiedu, and narrated by Nick Frost, Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic explores the exciting new era of one of the most enduring stories of our time.
The first season of the new Harry Potter series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will debut Christmas 2026 on HBO and will be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max.
There is nothing special about Harry Potter – at least that’s what his Aunt Petunia always says. On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship, and magic.
But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past.
The series stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
The cast list continues with Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, and Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley.
Rounding out the main cast are Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, William Nash as Gregory Goyle, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, and Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout.
The additional cast includes Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley.
Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley, Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns, Louise Brealey as Rolanda Hooch, Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey, Leigh Gill as Griphook, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander round out the additional cast.
The series, based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, is written and executive-produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The series is executive-produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
