Warwick Davis is officially returning to the Wizarding World, reprising his role as Professor Filius Flitwick for the upcoming HBO television adaptation of Harry Potter. This confirmation establishes Davis as the first actor from the original film franchise to return to their specific character in the new production, providing a direct continuity link between the 2001–2011 films and the reboot.
The first season of the series, officially titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is scheduled to premiere on HBO and Max on December 25, 2026. The production is planned as a decade-long project consisting of seven seasons, with each season adapting one of J.K. Rowling’s original novels through a projected conclusion in 2037.
The New Hogwarts Faculty
While Davis reprises his role as the Charms Master, the rest of the Hogwarts staff features a new ensemble of veteran actors. John Lithgow has been cast as Albus Dumbledore, joined by Janet McTeer as Professor Minerva McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. Nick Frost will take on the role of Rubeus Hagrid, while Paul Whitehouse joins the cast as Argus Filch. Notably, Whitehouse also has ties to the original film series, having previously portrayed the portrait knight Sir Cadogan.
The central trio of students will be played by Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The first season will consist of eight episodes, focusing on the events of the first book as the young cast begins their journey at the wizarding school.
Production and Creative Team
Francesca Gardiner serves as the showrunner and executive producer, with Mark Mylod directing multiple episodes of the first season.
The series aims to offer a more expansive adaptation of the source material than was possible in the feature films. By dedicating a full season to each book, the production team intends to include subplots and characters that were previously condensed or omitted. The December 2026 premiere marks the beginning of this long-term commitment to the franchise, positioning the show as a cornerstone of HBO’s future programming slate.
