Get your wands ready, because we are officially heading back to Hogwarts! HBO Max has arrived in Ireland and the streamer just dropped the very first teaser for its highly anticipated Harry Potter television series, and it’s packed with magical details.
The announcement was made at the HBO Max UK & Ireland launch event in London overnight, perfectly timing the hype as the streaming platform officially goes live on our shores today. Whether you're a die-hard Potterhead or just looking for your next big binge-watch, here is everything you need to know about the upcoming series.
For years, Irish viewers have had to rely on other premium channel packages to catch the latest HBO shows. But with the official launch of HBO Max in Ireland today (March 26), that landscape is changing.
Essentially, it's Warner Bros. Discovery’s consolidated streaming platform. It brings together premium HBO Original programming (The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us), DC superhero blockbusters, documentaries, true crime, and massive catalog hits like Friends into one place.
While it means direct access to these franchises—and eventually being the exclusive home for the new Harry Potter series—it does mean another subscription to manage. The service is available on most major devices (smart TVs, consoles, tablets) directly through their app, or via launch partners like Sky and Prime Video. For Irish streamers, the monthly pricing ranges from €5.99/month up to €15.99/month (Ad-free, 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Atmos on 4 devices, includes 100 downloads)
Mark your calendars! The series is officially set for a Christmas 2026 debut.
The eight-episode first season will be titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, confirming that the show plans to dedicate an entire season to each of J.K. Rowling's beloved books.
Stepping into the iconic shoes of the "Golden Trio" is a brand-new generation of young actors, supported by some massive heavy-hitters from the acting world.
Here is a look at the newly announced primary cast:
Harry Potter: Dominic McLaughlin
Hermione Granger: Arabella Stanton
Ron Weasley: Alastair Stout
Albus Dumbledore: John Lithgow (The Crown, 3rd Rock from the Sun)
Severus Snape: Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You)
Minerva McGonagall: Janet McTeer (Ozark)
Rubeus Hagrid: Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz)
Draco Malfoy: Lox Pratt
Neville Longbottom: Rory Wilmot
The adult cast is further rounded out by some fantastic British and Irish talent, including Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley.
If you know the books, you know the story, but seeing it stretched across eight hours promises a much deeper dive into the Wizarding World.
The official logline from HBO teases the magic to come:
"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 is being written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner (Succession, His Dark Materials). Mark Mylod, famous for his Emmy-winning directing work on Succession and The Menu, will direct multiple episodes and serve as an executive producer.
J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman (who produced the original eight films) are also attached as executive producers.
With HBO Max officially streaming in Ireland, we won't have to worry about missing out when Christmas 2026 rolls around. Dust off your robes, Nova fans—the countdown to Hogwarts has officially begun!
