Harry Potter's return is getting another major addition.
Warner Bros. Discovery is preparing to relaunch the Harry Potter franchise with an HBO television series this Christmas, nearly 25 years after Daniel Radcliffe first appeared as the young wizard in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001).
The adaptation will introduce an entirely new cast, with each of J.K. Rowling's seven novels expected to receive its own television season. Filming began in 2025, with HBO planning a longer and more detailed retelling of Harry's years at Hogwarts.
However, the reboot has faced considerable backlash. Rowling's involvement as an executive producer has divided fans over her views on transgender rights, while several actors have attracted criticism for participating in the production.
Despite the controversy, the Harry Potter franchise is continuing to expand beyond television. Bloomsbury Publishing has now revealed two additional books, both scheduled for release just months after HBO's reboot premieres.
Two New Harry Potter Books Confirmed for February 2027
The next additions to the Harry Potter book collection will focus on Professor Minerva McGonagall and Fred and George Weasley, with both releases arriving on February 23, 2027.
The books belong to Bloomsbury's Pocket Potters series, a collection of illustrated character guides credited to Rowling and designed to introduce younger readers to the wizarding world.
Each hardcover contains 32 pages, combining illustrations with facts and memorable moments from the original seven novels. Unlike a conventional sequel, neither book will introduce a new storyline.
The Professor McGonagall edition, illustrated by Natalie Smillie, will revisit the Hogwarts professor's role in Harry's early adventures. Readers will learn why she purchased his first broomstick, how she transforms into a cat, and what happens when the Sorting Hat struggles to assign a student to a house.
Meanwhile, Fred and George Weasley, illustrated by Helen Brady, will examine the twins' years at Hogwarts, including their knowledge of the castle's secret passages and their experiments with magical joke products.
Both characters have featured prominently throughout the Harry Potter franchise. McGonagall, played by Maggie Smith in the original films, serves as Hogwarts' deputy headmistress and head of Gryffindor House.
Exclusive reveal: Say hello to Professor McGonagall and Fred and George Weasley! 👀 🤩
New collectable Pocket Potters, little character guides to the Harry Potter stories, releasing February 2027. Perfect for kids starting their Harry Potter adventure.
Exclusive reveal: Say hello to Professor McGonagall and Fred and George Weasley! 👀 🤩
New collectable Pocket Potters, little character guides to the Harry Potter stories, releasing February 2027. Perfect for kids starting their Harry Potter adventure. pic.twitter.com/cCQKFqgdkT— J.K. Rowling's Stories (@jkr_stories) August 13, 2026
Fred and George, portrayed by James and Oliver Phelps, frequently cause trouble at Hogwarts before establishing Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, a joke shop in Diagon Alley.
The newly announced books follow seven previous Pocket Potters releases. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley received their own editions in 2025, followed by guides featuring Albus Dumbledore and Luna Lovegood.
Hagrid and Dobby joined the collection in August 2026, bringing the total to seven ahead of next February's expansion.
Bloomsbury has opened preorders for the two upcoming books, which have a recommended UK retail price of £10 each. The publisher is also offering promotional discounts and exclusive merchandise bundles in selected markets.
HBO's Harry Potter Reboot Continues Despite Casting Controversy
The new releases arrive as Warner Bros. prepares for one of its biggest television launches in years.
HBO's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will premiere on December 25, 2026, with Dominic McLaughlin playing Harry Potter alongside Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
John Lithgow will portray Albus Dumbledore, while Nick Frost takes over as Rubeus Hagrid. Janet McTeer has been cast as McGonagall, and Tristan and Gabriel Harland will play Fred and George Weasley.
Another significant casting change involves Severus Snape. Paapa Essiedu will assume the role previously played by Alan Rickman, a decision that prompted racist abuse and death threats against the actor.
The reboot has also faced objections over Rowling's participation. Directors Kate Herron and Ally Pankiw previously revealed that they declined opportunities to work on the show because of the author's views on transgender rights.
Lithgow has similarly faced criticism for joining the series, although HBO has continued to promote its plans for a faithful adaptation of Rowling's novels.
For readers hoping the new publishing announcement signals another full-length Harry Potter adventure, however, the situation remains unchanged.
Rowling's original series ended with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 2007. The story later continued through Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a stage production written by Jack Thorne from a story developed with Rowling and director John Tiffany.
The play follows Harry's son, Albus Severus Potter, and Draco Malfoy's son, Scorpius, as they embark on a time-travel adventure that threatens to rewrite events from the original series.
Rowling has occasionally discussed the possibility of returning to the wizarding world through another novel. In a 2012 interview with Australia's ABC, she explained, “If I had a fabulous idea that came out of that world, because I loved writing it, I'd do it.”
She has also said she “always [refuses] to say ‘never'” when asked about potential stories exploring Hogwarts' founders or the Marauders.
Would you like to see J.K. Rowling write another Harry Potter novel?
