The highly anticipated Harry Potter television series has taken a significant step forward with the announcement of the creative team behind the project. Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, known for their work on the hit series Succession, have been tapped to lead the show as writer and director, respectively.

Francesca Gardiner emerged as the chosen writer after being selected from a pool of finalists that included Tom Moran and Kathleen Jordan. Gardiner, who previously worked as a consulting producer on Succession, will also serve as the showrunner and executive producer for the Harry Potter series. Mark Mylod, who has directed numerous episodes of Succession, will helm multiple episodes of the show and also take on an executive producer role.

The decision to bring Gardiner and Mylod on board comes as Harry Potter transitions from a Max original to an HBO original, as part of a strategic shift within the Warner Bros Discovery business. The series, set for a 2026 release, promises to deliver a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved books with a fresh cast.

Produced by Warner Bros Television and Rowling’s Brontë Film and TV, the show will see Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, Gardiner, Mylod, and David Heyman of Heyday Films serving as executive producers.

Prior to her work on Succession, Gardiner was involved in productions such as HBO and BBC’s His Dark Materials and AMC’s Killing Eve. Mylod’s credits include popular series like Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, and Shameless.

With the creative team now in place, fans can expect the Harry Potter series to stay true to the magical world created by Rowling while introducing a new generation of viewers to the beloved story.