JK Rowling: 1st episodes of ‘Harry Potter’ series are ‘so, so good’

(NewsNation) — J.K. Rowling, famed author of the “Harry Potter” book series, has praised its upcoming HBO adaptation.

On Saturday, Rowling revealed to her followers that she had read the initial two scripts. “I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Max “Harry Potter” series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!” she said on social media.

Rowling was asked by a fan if she had written the scripts. “No,” Rowling responded, “but I’ve worked closely with the extremely talented writers.”

Rowling is an executive producer on the television series, which is set to devote a series to each of the seven books, according to Variety. The series is slated to appear on HBO Max in 2026, 25 years after the first film based on the books was released.

‘Harry Potter’ TV series announced

A “Harry Potter” TV series was first announced in 2023. In June 2024, it was rebranded as an HBO original, meaning it will stream and air on the cable network.

When it was announced, HBO Max CEO Casey Bloys said, “This new… series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.”

When Rowling’s inclusion was first announced, there was some controversy among fans. Rowling has made comments about sex and gender in the past. One post surrounded a COVID-19 opinion piece, in which Rowling said, “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

Rowling also wrote an essay on her website in 2020 about why she had spoken out on the issue. She claimed she is “worried about the new trans activism” and “the huge explosion in young women wishing to transition and also about the increasing numbers who seem to be detransitioning.”

Recently, Rowling has said that there “are no trans kids” and no child is “born in the wrong body.”

Production on ‘Harry Potter’ TV series to start soon

Production is set to start this summer, with Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton playing the roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

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