By Sagar V. Mankar Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment President, David Haddad, recently spoke with Variety and shared exciting news about the future of the Hogwarts Legacy video game series and its connection to HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series.
Haddad revealed that the team behind the games is working closely with Warner Bros. Television to integrate story elements from the Hogwarts Legacy sequel into the new TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved novels.
Haddad expressed that the success of Hogwarts Legacy played a significant role in giving Warner Bros. the confidence to proceed with the TV series. He noted,
“The rest of the company was very curious about what we helped to unlock with Hogwarts Legacy last year.”
Since its release in February 2023, Hogwarts Legacy, developed by Avalanche Software (a studio acquired by Warner Bros. from Disney in 2017), has shattered sales records. The game has sold over 30 million copies, placing it among Warner Bros.’ most successful gaming franchises, alongside iconic series like Mortal Kombat and Batman.
Interestingly, J.K. Rowling was not directly involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy. However, Warner Bros. has acknowledged that all projects set in the Wizarding World are inspired by her literary works.
The creative team behind Hogwarts Legacy deliberately set the game in a time period where familiar characters from books and movies were absent, allowing players to explore a unique version of the Wizarding World. Characters like Nearly Headless Nick and Peeves make appearances, but the focus is on new, diverse characters that players can connect with in the open world.
Haddad hinted that the game’s contributions to the series will extend beyond minor Easter eggs to meaningful additions that could influence the main story. By linking the series with the games, Warner Bros. is expanding the scope of the Wizarding World, making the new Harry Potter series more compelling for fans of both the books and the games.
As for HBO’s Harry Potter series, it is set to closely follow the original seven books, dedicating each season to one novel. The adaptation will be led by Francesca Gardiner, known for her work on Succession and His Dark Materials, as showrunner. Mark Mylod, director of Game of Thrones and The Menu, will direct several episodes. Casting for new actors to portray Harry, Ron, and Hermione is already underway.
In addition to a sequel for Hogwarts Legacy, there are also reports of a “Director’s Cut” of the original game, with Rocksteady rumored to co-develop this expanded version.