‘Harry Potter’ Renewed For Season 2 On HBO; Jon Brown Upped To Co-Showrunner

In keeping with its plans for accelerated production on Harry Potter, HBO has officially greenlighted a second season of the fantasy series. It is scheduled to begin filming this fall, ahead of the Christmas premiere of Season 1, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Jon Brown (HBO’s Succession), who is a writer on the first season, has been elevated to co-showrunner for Season 2 alongside Season 1 showrunner Francesca Gardiner.

The renewal comes as Season 1 is still filming, with production slated to wrap in a couple of weeks. It was fully expected — and so was its timing.

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Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, revealed in November that writing on the second season already had started.

“The plan is to still try and get it — I don’t know if it’s going to be like stop shooting Season 1 on Friday and start Season 2 on Monday,” he said at the time of the projected timeline. “There’ll be a break in there, but we’re going to do whatever we can to not have a huge gap.”

He laid out the rationale, referencing the fact that the series stars young actors who grow up fast and that by nature, the show is very elaborate and involves a complex shoot and extensive postproduction. “For the kids, obviously, but also for viewers, trying to not have massive gaps [between seasons],” he said at the time. “It is a big show, lots of special effects, obviously. Massive operation, but we’re going to do what we can.”

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Gardiner pointed to the accelerated production as a main reason for Brown’s elevation to co-showrunner.

“As we have laid out our plans for the overlapping production schedules to finish Season 1 by Christmas and to return to production for Season 2 this autumn, it has become clear that bringing on a co-showrunner is the key to maintaining our momentum,” Gardiner said. “I’ve loved working with Jon from the very first day we met on Succession through to these recent times together on Harry Potter. Not only do I have huge admiration for his writing, but he’s also a brilliant collaborator and a lovely person. We are lucky to have him.”

Succession alum Gardiner had brought in Brown to Harry Potter after working with him on the Emmy-winning HBO drama.

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“I’m incredibly excited to be collaborating with Francesca as co-showrunner,” Brown said. “It has been a joy to write on Philosopher’s Stone, and I’d like to thank Francesca and HBO for putting their faith in me to continue this remarkable journey. Seems you’re never too old to get your invitation to Hogwarts.”

In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, 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.

Dominic McLaughlin stars as the titular Hogwarts wizard. Alastair Stout plays Harry’s best friend Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton portrays bookworm Hermione Granger. Key cast member also include Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall.

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Season 1 of the series, based on J.K. Rowling’s hugely popular books, is written and executive produced by showrunner Gardiner. Mark Mylod serves as executive producer and directed multiple episodes. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films also executive produce the series, produced by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. It will air on HBO and be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max.