Title image: Urmel in Gloucester Cathedral
In short: The Harry Potter series starts on 25 December 2026 on HBO Max, in Germany too. Season 1 tells "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and, according to reports, has eight episodes. The plan is one season per book, and season 2 with the Chamber of Secrets has already been ordered.
In 2024 I stood in the cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral. Right in the corridor where Harry and Ron watch the troll shuffle towards the girls' bathroom in the first film. And yes, I touched the spot that Rupert Grint touched back then (giggle). Harry Potter has been with me forever, on trips to London, Oxford and, well, Gloucester. So the story being told again from the very beginning, book by book and with far more time than the films had, is a pretty good Christmas present for me.
I have gathered everything we know about the series so far right here. And whatever you need for your series night is waiting in our Harry Potter merch.
When does the Harry Potter series start?
On 25 December 2026, the first season starts on HBO Max. HBO Max has officially confirmed the date. Since the streaming service has also been available in Germany since January 2026, you do not have to wait and can watch on the same day as fans in the US. Christmas presents… er… your first day at Hogwarts, right on Christmas Day.
According to media reports, the first season will have eight episodes. HBO Max has not yet revealed how they will be released. My guess is that the first episode will be a bit longer and then a new one will come out every week. If it were up to me, I would watch everything in one go. But you can't have everything.
By the way, you can get the right letter from us already, as the Hogwarts letter cushion with a red seal and crest. Big advantage over the original: it does not come fluttering down the chimney by the hundred like at the Dursleys' on Privet Drive.
What is season 1 about?
It starts, of course, with "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". On his eleventh birthday, Harry finds out he is a wizard, boards the Hogwarts Express at platform 9 ¾ and meets Ron and Hermione. You probably know the rest. And if not, you get to look forward to all of it for the very first time.
The plan is one season per book, so seven seasons. HBO has already ordered season 2 with the Chamber of Secrets, but there is no start date for it yet. So it will be a little while until the series gets to my favourite book. That is part 3, "The Prisoner of Azkaban", funnily enough the only book in which Voldemort is not directly involved. ;)
If you want a little bit of platform 9 ¾ in your hallway every day until then, hang the Platform 9 3/4 lamp on the wall. And since it is not getting any warmer outside before Christmas, the Hogwarts Express knitted sweater goes with it nicely.
Cast: who is in the Harry Potter series?
Harry, Ron and Hermione are played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton. HBO has gone all out with the teachers. John Lithgow is Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu plays Snape, Janet McTeer becomes McGonagall and Nick Frost is Hagrid. Professor Quirrell is played by Luke Thallon, turban included, I assume.
But the one I am most excited about is someone the films left out completely: Peeves! The poltergeist is played by Peter Serafinowicz. So Mr Filch will have his hands full once again.
Sadly, my favourite character only arrives in season 2: Gilderoy Lockhart, played by Kit Harington. To make the wait a little shorter, here is a tip he would approve of: put a photo of yourself in the Mirror of Erised picture frame and admire yourself every morning. By the way, we will see the real Mirror of Erised in season 1 already.
My take on the series: filming locations, tartan and a 90s feeling
I have already been allowed to visit the set of the series and it was an incredible experience. Above all, I fell in love with the school uniforms, and the tartan makes my Scottish heart beat faster. The 90s feeling is also very close to my own childhood. I am so looking forward to seeing all of it on screen soon.
Speaking of filming locations: in Gloucester I did not just stand in the troll corridor, I also stood in front of the wall where, in the second film, you can read that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened.
If you want to dress the part, you will find the Gryffindor robe and the original Gryffindor wool scarf with us. By the way, I have landed in Ravenclaw in every single test, so here is something for all the eagles too: the original Ravenclaw wool scarf and the Team Ravenclaw block hoodie. And if you want to see the real filming locations, my travel tips for London and for Oxford and Cambridge are in our blog (in German).
Harry Potter Christmas market in Munich
If you can't wait until Christmas, head to Munich. From 28 November to 6 December 2026, HBO Max is turning the Praterinsel into a Harry Potter Christmas market, according to HBO Max the first in the world. Around ten stalls in the look of the series, photo backdrops straight out of Hogwarts and food and drinks from the wizarding world have been announced. Admission is free and you need neither a ticket nor a registration.
It is open every day until 10 pm. It kicks off on the opening Saturday at 7 pm, and on Sunday, 29 November, and the last weekend from Friday to Sunday it opens at noon. Monday to Thursday, the market opens at 2 pm.
How to celebrate the series start at Christmas
I have a few ideas for the series night on 25 December. Bertie Bott's beans in every flavour belong on the table, of course, dare included. Add hot chocolate from the Chocolate Frog mug with spoon. And if you still have energy after the episode, challenge the family to wizard's chess. With the Wizard chess set, luckily without any smashed pieces.
If you are still missing gifts for Potterheads: in my post on Harry Potter gifts you will find 25 ideas for every budget and every house.
Harry Potter series FAQ
When is the Harry Potter series coming out?
The Harry Potter series starts on 25 December 2026 on HBO Max. HBO Max has officially confirmed the date.
Where can I watch the Harry Potter series in Germany?
In Germany, the series streams on HBO Max. The streaming service has been available here since January 2026.
How many episodes does season 1 have?
According to media reports, season 1 has eight episodes. The release schedule has not been officially announced yet; a longer first episode followed by a new episode every week is likely.
Who plays Harry Potter in the series?
Harry Potter is played by Dominic McLaughlin. Hermione is played by Arabella Stanton, Ron by Alastair Stout.
How many seasons will the series have?
The plan is one season per book, so seven seasons. Season 2, based on "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", has already been ordered.
Is Peeves in the Harry Potter series?
Yes, Peeves is in the series. The poltergeist is played by Peter Serafinowicz.
Now: off to Hogwarts
Pack your trunk, feed your owl and save a spot on the sofa for 25 December. Everything for your journey to Hogwarts is waiting in our Harry Potter merch. See you on the Hogwarts Express.
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