It’s been two years since HBO announced a Harry Potter series is officially in works, with the network set to reimagine the beloved book and film series for a TV audience.
After seven novels, eight films, a West End production and even a spin-off series, bosses decided the appetite for magic hadn’t yet waned and were quick to give a reboot the green light.
Yet the logistics behind remaking the fan favourite series has proved to be less than magical, with several controversies marring the upcoming project.
Potterheads around the world have expressed their disdain at several elements, from casting to timings and the creator herself, JK Rowling.
Such is the headache the series has caused that reports suggest that mere Muggles won’t be able to watch the show until 2027 – four years since the series got into the works.
So what are the scandals that have left a Dark Mark over the upcoming series? MailOnline takes a look at the twists and turns in the ongoing saga, Hogwarts and all.
Harry Potter and the Troubled Remake: As the TV reboot is cursed by series of scandals has the magic been lost on HBO’s big new project? (L-R Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger)
It’s lost its British charm
Harry Potter is very much ingrained in British culture, despite being set in a magical world.
As such, fans were left fuming when it was revealed American actor John Lithgow had been cast as the new Professor Dumbledore.
The role has already been played by four British actors, originally Richard Harris who took on the part for the first two films.
Following his death in 2002, Michael Gambon took on the role for the remaining six films.
Jude Law played a younger version of Dumbledore in the spin-off film series Fantastic Beasts, while Toby Regbo played teenage Dumbledore in flashback scenes for the original franchise and spin-off.
Fans expressed their anger at the role being given a Hollywood spin, taking to X/Twitter to lament: ‘Nothing against John Lithgow, but Dumbledore and the whole Harry Potter franchise is British.’
For his part, the 79-year-old Oscar nominee has said stepping in to the shoes of the magical headmaster, first played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, ‘came as a total surprise to me’.
‘I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life,’ he shared.
‘I’m afraid but I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter.
‘That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.’
Fans were fuming when it was revealed American actor John Lithgow (left) had been cast as the new Professor Dumbledore. The role was originally played by Sir Michael Gambon (right)
The films have only just finished
Many were shocked when HBO announced their plans to reboot the film series, given they are still incredibly popular and have stood the test of time.
Fans have complained that it’s too soon to reboot the franchise, given it ended in 2011, while those still looking to immerse themselves in the wizarding world have had even more recent films to watch with the Fantastic Beats series.
The Harry Potter films are still regularly shown on TV and combined, the eight movies grossed more than £6 billion at the box office.
The Wizarding World has also inspired several gift shops, theme park attractions and a studio tour.
Colourblind casting could be an own goal
The original book series has come under fire in recent years for how it portrays ethnic minorities.
However, the decision to cast British actor Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape in the upcoming series has also been slated after fans pointed out that casting a black actor in the role could lead to a change in the plot.
The I May Destroy You star looks set to follow in the late Alan Rickman’s footsteps, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.
Yet fans notes the professor who is bullied by Harry Potter’s father James during their years as students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As explained in Forbes: ‘While being black or white may not be inherent to Snape’s character, Potter fans note that this will set up situations like James Potter bullying a young black kid in the ‘70s which are certainly not good optics and totally change the dynamics of the James/Lily/Snape storyline.’
Snape was also famously a member of the Death Eater group who followed a racist ideology that placed pure-blooded wizards at the top of a racial hierarchy.
Casting Paapa Essiedu (left) as Severus Snape (right, Alan Rickman in character) has been slated after fans pointed out using a black actor in the role could lead to a change in the plot
Even the stars are sick of it!
While TV bosses believe the appetite for more Harry Potter content is so great that it warrants a new show, the same can’t be said for the cast members.
Miriam Margolyes, who played Professor Sprout in the acclaimed film series, previously enraged Potterheads by claiming they should be ‘over’ the book by now.
Despite insisting it was ‘wonderful’ and she was ‘very grateful’ to the franchise, the BAFTA award-winning actress said adult fans should have moved on because it is ‘for children.’
In an interview with New Zealand television network 1News, Miriam admitted: ‘I worry about Harry Potter fans.
She went on: ‘They should be over that by now. It was 25 years ago and it’s for children. I think it’s for children.
‘But they get stuck in it and I do cameos and people say ‘Oh we are having a Harry Potter-themed wedding’ and I think ‘gosh what’s their first night of fun going to be. I can’t even think about it.
‘Harry Potter is wonderful, I’m very grateful to it, it’s over.’
Miriam Margolyes, who played Professor Sprout in the acclaimed film series, previously enraged Potterheads by claiming they should be ‘over’ the book by now
The controversy surrounding JK Rowling
HBO were forced to step in last year when author JK – who serves as executive producer on the show – came under fire because of her views on gender identity.
The company were been inundated with complaints about JK’s involvement, prompting them to release a statement defending her.
HBO said: ‘We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter – the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance.
‘JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.’
In recent years, JK has encountered backlash from key cast members of the original series following her remarks about the trans community in 2020, in which she said she believed women were defined by their biological sex and not their gender identity.
She strongly denies that she is transphobic.
Her connection with the actors – including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint – as well as with Harry Potter fans, has deteriorated as the debate has grown more divisive.
HBO boss Casey Bloys previously revealed that JK was ‘very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director.’
He noted that her statements ‘haven’t affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff’ for the show.
HBO were forced to step in last year when author JK Rowling – who serves as executive producer on the show – came under fire because of her views on gender identity
A spokesperson for the HBO’s parent company added: ‘We’ve been working with J.K. Rowling and in the Harry Potter business for over 20 years’ and ‘her contribution has been invaluable’.
Speaking about her involvement, JK said she is ‘looking forward’ to being part of the new Harry Potter series and going into depth and detail which the films weren’t able to do.
The multimillionaire author said: ‘Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me.
‘I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series’.
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