Rumours that the Harry Potter books were to be turned into a TV series as a reboot of the film franchise have been widely circulating over the last few weeks.
But up until now, fans were unsure how much truth there was to the talks.
Harry Potter is arguably one of the most successful and best-loved literary franchises of all time, with seven books published between 1997 and 2007, selling more than 500 million copies worldwide, and eight film adaptations of the books released between 2001 and 2011 – which is the fourth highest-grossing film series of all time, with $7.7 billion in worldwide receipts.
The success of the books and film franchise changed the life of author JK Rowling, and made household names out of the films’ young cast of actors led by Daniel Radcliffe as the titular character, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley.
The franchise also has one of the most dedicated fanbases there is, and defined life for many growing up in the late nineties and throughout the 2000s.
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The Harry Potter TV series is actually happening and JK Rowling is producing it / Credit: JK Rowling (via Facebook)
Harry Potter has continued to prove enduringly popular around the world, even more than a decade after the last book and film was released – but in the past several years, the series has been somewhat tainted with controversy after author JK Rowling has been strongly criticised for her views on gender identity, and has continued to be publicly vocal in her condemnation of transgender people and the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite this growing controversy, despite the millions of gamers choosing to boycott the new ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ game released only a few months ago, and despite the concerns of fans about turning Harry Potter into a new TV series at such a contentious time, it’s been confirmed by this week that it’s actually happening.
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A Harry Potter TV series is officially in the works – and, not only that, but JK Rowling is set to serve as the series’ executive producer.
Set to be available on HBO Max – which is a streaming service by Warner Bros. – the Harry Potter series could be on air for up to a decade, will be a “faithful adaptation” of the books about the wizarding world, and will feature a different cast to the films – with producers saying each season promises to be “authentic to the original books” and bring Harry Potter to new audiences.
HBO Max has assured fans that the original Harry Potter films will remain “at the core” of the franchise.
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It’s been revealed that film producer David Heyman, who famously produced all eight films in the movie franchise, is also in talks to work on the TV series.
https://youtu.be/o07u0uKkV_g
Speaking on the news that the Harry Potter TV series is actually happening, Casey Bloys – Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content – said: “We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way.
“Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the wizarding world.
“In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and JK Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.”
JK Rowling says she is “looking forward” to the new TV series, adding that the “new adaptation will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series”.
Featured Image – Warner Bros.
TV & Showbiz
Gladiators Live Tour to make ‘triumphant’ return to Manchester on UK arena tour
Emily Sergeant
The Gladiators Live Tour will make a triumphant return in 2026.
Following its explosive debut in 2025 and overwhelming fan demand, the Gladiators Live Tour is set to head out on a UK tour later this year, bringing the iconic phenomenon back to arenas nationwide for an electrifying new run of shows, and making a stop off in Manchester, of course.
Audiences will, once again, have the chance to experience the action-packed spectacle featuring the stars of the hit BBC reboot series on an epic scale.
The 2025 live tour thrilled audiences nationwide, selling over 200,000 tickets and proving the arena spectacular is ‘bigger, bolder, and more electrifying’ than ever, and that energy is only set to continue this year when the show returns to Manchester’s popular AO Arena.
GLADIATORS, READY!
Following its epic debut in 2025 the triumphant live show brings the energy to Manchester on 14 & 15 Nov!
This adrenaline-fuelled event sees the legendary Gladiators storm back into the arena to face fearless contenders in a heart-pounding live adaptation of the smash-hit television phenomenon.
Expect iconic fan-favourite events, breathtaking stunts, epic head-to-head battles and the unforgettable Eliminator finale.
Featuring stars from the hit BBC series, audiences are being told to expect a truly immersive, high-octane experience, as arenas are transformed into modern gladiatorial battlegrounds complete with purpose-built sets, spectacular lighting, and cinematic staging.
The Gladiators Live Tour 2026 kicks off in Aberdeen on 10 October, before heading to other major cities like Glasgow, London, and Birmingham, as well as northern locations like Leeds and Newcastle, and of course, Manchester’s AO Arena for two nights on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.
Tickets officially go on sale this Friday 27 March, with two shows per day available, and you can grab them when they go live here.
Featured Image – Supplied
TV & Showbiz
Lord of the Rings live in concert is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The fellowship is not lost: JRR Tolkien fans are being invited to come along to see the beloved first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy live in concert here in Manchester.
Undoubtedly, some of the most beautifully shot and, crucially, rousingly scored Hollywood blockbusters in history, the LotR movie soundtracks still remain among the most iconic to this day.
So just imagine how incredible they must be to witness it in the flesh…
Well, that opportunity is just on the horizon, as a live performance of The Fellowship of the Ring by a fully-fledged live band is coming to the city centre’s biggest indoor arena later this year.
Available either as an evening or matinee show, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring – In Concert’ arrives this winter at Co-op Live.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic Academy Award-winning film, which kick-started a mega franchise both on the big and the small screen nowadays, what better way to toast the date than by rewatching it like never before?
Teaming up with the one and only Hallé – Manchester’s premier orchestra since 1858 – the production will be bringing Howard Shore’s legendary original scores to life in person as they soundtrack the epic motion picture playing behind them.
We’ve got chills just thinking about some of those scenes: the council of Elrond in Rivendell; the ‘Argonath’ passing, that first stunning New Zealand vista as Middle-Earth, and SO many more.
Here’s a sample of what it’s like to hear those instantly recognisable sounds live:
Come on, how incredible is this?
For those looking to attend the Manchester showings of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring – In Concert, as always, official Co-op members will be granted early access through the venue’s presale window.
This will open at 10am on Wednesday, 25 March; meanwhile, general admission tickets will then be available from the same time the following Friday (27 Mar).
Emily Sergeant -
14th April 2023 
