HBO's new Harry Potter series to be one of the most expensive shows ever made
The new Harry Potter series is on track to become the expensive TV show ever made.
The rebooted HBO show based off J.K Rowling's beloved books is slated to cost a staggering $AU155 million per episode, according to The Sun.
Currently, the costliest show in history is Amazon Prime Video's Lord of the Rings spin-off, The Rings of Power, which had a $US60 million ($AU93 million) per episode budget when the first season was made in 2020.
Rings of Power 's first season had eight episodes, while the debut Harry Potter series will reportedly have six.
It's set to begin filming at the company's 200-acre studio in Leavesden, Herts in the coming months.
HBO's upcoming TV adaptation comes 14 years after the eighth and final Warner Bros. film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was released in cinemas, bringing to an end a frenzied decade-long box office run.
Made on a budget of $US250 million, which was a shared cost with its predecessor film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, it enjoyed a hefty global box office gross of $US1.342 billion.
The magical stories jumped off the page and have become an everlasting cultural phenomenon, spawning theme parks, merchandise and video games, with the Harry Potter brand said to be worth more than $US25 billion.
Meanwhile, an announcement about the three unknown actors set to portray Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley is imminent, per The Sun.
Warner Bros. has picked its leading trio from more than 32,000 actors who sent in audition tapes across the UK.
Established actors have already joined the cast, with John Lithgow set to play Albus Dumbledore, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Elsewhere in the cast, Janet McTeer will portray Professor Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape and Luke Thallon will fill the shoes of Professor Quirinus Quirrell.
Despite Rowling's controversial reputation in recent years due to her outspoken views about the transgender community, the billionaire author is an executive producer on the show.
HBO CEO Casey Bloys confirmed in November Rowling had 'been fairly involved' in the making of the show, which is expected to debut in 2026.
'She was very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director,' Bloys told reporters at a press event.
'I imagine she'll have opinions on casting. It hasn't affected the casting or hiring of writers or production staff or anything, so we haven't felt any impact from that.'
It's been reported the show will run for a whopping seven seasons, with each season focused on one of Rowling's books.
Warner Bros. has also stated it would be a 'decade-long series', which Lithgow confirmed in a recent interview.
'Of course, it was a big decision because it's probably the last major role I'll play,' Lithgow said in April.
'It's an eight-year commitment so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role.'
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News.com.au
33 minutes ago
- News.com.au
SuperCoach NRL trade talk and tips, live Q&A, round 14 teams
I'll start, most unusually for me, with an apology. My Buy/Sell analysis will be truncated today due to a busy newsroom and the dreaded annual review. Not a bad week for that I guess with there being a reasonably limited number of quality buy/sell options and I will try hard to be concise (not my strength) when assessing them. Jayden Campbell – The most popular buy of the week and I can see why. Campbell had a great game at fullback in round 13 against the Storm with a try, two assists a bunch of offloads and some goals all of which added up to 93 points. His draw is good (covers next four games) but not great (he misses round 18). Campbell will revert to the halves if/when AJ Brimson is available (and the Titans are seeking an exemption to bring Brimson back this round) and while I prefer him at fullback his form at halfback has been solid. Campbell is behind only Nathan Cleary in terms of averages for halfback/five-eighths this year (minimum five games). His floor is good thanks to the goalkicking duties with a worst score of 46 he has a good ceiling (high score of 117) and four scores of 80+ from eight starts. BUY (NB a sneaky alternative buy is Nicho Hynes – he lacks the DPP flex of Campbell but he has scored 60+ in each of his past six matches and has an incredible ceiling – Hynes has scored 180+ against each of his next two opponents. Keaon Koloamatangi – Was the most popular trade of the round last week and special KK delivered for his new owners with 70+ in base, eight tackle busts and a try. Added $66K to his price thanks to that big game and while his price is getting up there I still see okay value at $660K. The fly in the ointment is the knee injury to Mitch Barnett which means NSW coach Laurie Daley is in the hunt for a middle forward for origin II. Koloamatangi, an edge forward remade into a middle, is almost an identical like-for-like replacement for Barnett which has owners on edge and should worry those looking to buy him. If picked for the Blues, KK changed from being a bye round miracle (locked in big scores and covering rounds 15, 16 and 18) to a bye round nightmare who would play at best three of the next six games and quite possibly just two of those. Owners and potential suitors will be hoping Laurie looks to the likes of Stefano Utoikamanu or even Terrell May instead. BUY Lehi Hopoate – No Turbo, no worries with Hopoate doing a superb job in his place at fullback against the Broncos. To be fair the Broncos were putrid, but you can only play what's in front of you and in Hopoate's favour the team in front of him for the next four rounds (Rd 14: Knights, Rd 15: Titans, Rd17: Tigers and Rd18: Souths) is not going to be very good. After that the draw gets much much tougher (Storm, Dogs, Roosters, Raiders) but that's not a reason not to buy. BUY Nathan Lawson – the former rugby sevens star acquitted himself well on NRL debut against the Knights but I do not understand the rush to buy. Christian Tuipulotu was close to being available for the game and should be fine for this week which will see Lawson revert to NSW Cup. NO Luke Metcalf – tonned up last week for his third triple-figure score of the season. that was good. Unfortunately, when he does not score 100+ Metcalf can be a bit quiet and fails to score 60+. Does not cover round 15 or 18 big bye rounds. NO Toby Couchman – Looking for a mid-range forward who will provide solid base and decent bye round coverage? I've got the guy for you. Averaging 63.1PPG (67 if you remove his injury affected game in round 10) of which near enough 55 comes in pure base, Couchman is a bit of a steal at a snip over $550K (that injury game saw him drop around $70K). The Dragons cover both remaining major byes which is an added bonus. Not just a worker bee, Couchman has some power to his game (averaging better than 8PPG in tackle busts/offloads combined) and as a result he has scored 65+ in six of his 11 starts. Might not be a keeper to the end but definitely worth a shot to medium term hold at his price. BUY Jack Williams – The Eels recruit is getting a fair bit of buzz in SC circles after scoring 96 in round 12 and 80 last week – each time with 59 points in pure base. Filling a hybrid role over the past fortnight where he moves between the middle and an edge there's a lot to like here. However, the Eels do not cover rounds 15 or 18 and I prefer Couchman's greater pedigree (he's basically been spending the entire season punching out a role like Williams has for a fortnight). NO Corey Horsburgh – I had Big Red as a sell last week and nothing has changed (other than he lost $14K after scoring 51 against the Roosters). Origin selection push is growing, cash is diminishing. SELL Zac Hosking – As I have mentioned before, while Hosking gets through solid work for a guy who is on an edge, he does not have a huge power game and so where he doesn't score a try you are stuck with low 50s (or worse). SELL Cameron Munster – The trickiest buy/sell of the week in my opinion. Five-eighth is a touch spot this season and Munster has been the best 'set and forget' option at the position all year. That said, I am pretty tempted to turn him into Campbell or Hynes and here is why. The Storm do not play round 15 (Origin/bye), their Origin players are unlikely to back up from Origin II (have just three day turnaround between game in Perth and the round 16 clash against Souths) and then miss round 18 (Origin). Origin players then have a three-day turnaround from Origin III (in Sydney) to their game in Newcastle in round 19 (which I do expect Munster to play but he may be rested). Assuming he misses the game following Origin II then I expect Munster to miss three of the next six rounds – and he could miss four. There's also price to think about. Munster scored consecutive tonnes in rounds 10 and 11 and as a result his price has soared to $746K. With some high BEs in his future then you could sell now and likely get him back once Origin is done for around $80K less. RELUCTANT SELL Robert Toia – The most popular sell of the week and I do understand why. The Roosters are on a bye this week and if Toia retains his Origin jumper then he might not play again in the next five weeks (Rd 14: BYE, Rd 15: Origin, Rd 16: unlikely to backup after Origin II in Perth, Rd 17: Bye, Rd 18: Origin). If dropped from the Maroons then he would provide tremendous coverage in the tricky 15/16 and 18 rounds. SELL
SBS Australia
43 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
Stories of love, loyalty and self-discovery among six shortlisted Digital Originals, as applications open for 2025
Applications are now being received for the sixth year of the trailblazing initiative, showcasing under-represented voices and uncovering fresh Australian screen stories. SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and Screen Australia have announced six new series receiving development funding through the successful Digital Originals initiative, supporting pathways for emerging under-represented screen creatives. The six shortlisted Digital Originals feature everything from body switching, sinking boats, screaming toddlers and supernatural journeys, pushing boundaries in the ways they explore themes of love and loyalty, friendship and community, resilience and self-discovery. Digital Originals is a long-running partnership between SBS, NITV and Screen Australia with a proven record for elevating talent, and uncovering exciting, innovative and risk-taking scripted series. The initiative supports the development of emerging screen creatives historically under-represented in the sector, including those who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, First Nations, d/Deaf and with disability, women and gender diverse, LGBTQIA+ and those from regional and remote areas. It offers a valuable pathway in the industry, equipping creatives with skills, industry connections and support to bring distinctive Australian stories to life. The following six Digital Originals selected for development were chosen from the 10 teams who took part in an exclusive workshop hosted by Screen Australia, SBS and NITV in November 2024. Up to three projects from this cohort will be chosen for production funding and commissioning. ' Banana Milkshake' (L-R) Jonathan Lo, David Ma and Georgia Noe Banana Milkshake (NSW) When budding high school filmmaker Oliver Zhang is roped into blackmailing his teacher to save his cousin from expulsion, he finds himself in way too deep, confronted by moral choices he thought only existed in movies. Producer: Georgia Noe (Floating Leaf Pictures) Writers: David Ma and Johnathan Lo Director: David Ma 'Hardly a Wallflower' (L-R) Jessica Smith, Scarlett Koehne and Olivia Muscat Hardly a Wallflower (VIC) When a blind novelist goes undercover at her best friend's flower shop in a desperate bid to save her writing career, her cynical views on love are tested by the spirit of Valentine's Day and a romantic complication of her own. Producer: Scarlett Koehne (Pikelet Pictures) Writer: Olivia Muscat Writer/Director: Jessica Smith 'In Her Body' (L-R) Rachel Maxine Anderson and Rae Choi In Her Body ( QLD) When two migrant women – Vanessa, an architect at the height of her career, and her unassuming housecleaner, Thelma – switch bodies, they must confront the cost of their unspoken sacrifices before it's too late. Writers/Directors: Rachel Maxine Anderson and Rae Choi 'Mangrove Mansion' (L-R) Mary Duong and Rhianna Malezer Mangrove Mansion (QLD) When her estranged dad derails their wedding plans, Sunny and fiancé Alex commandeer his houseboat to get him to the mainland. Crashing into a stinking mess of mud and mangroves, they must survive the sinking boat, Country, and each other to get unstuck. Writer/Producer: Mary Duong (Super Fruity) Writer/Director: Rhianna Malezer 'Nailing It' (L-R) Kartanya Maynard and Takani Clark Nailing It! (TAS) After botching a Welcome to Country, a culturally disconnected Aboriginal woman accidentally opens a passageway to the spiritual realm. Now supernatural entities wreak havoc, forcing her to juggle exorcisms and entrepreneurship, and embark on a challenging journey of self-discovery. Writers: Takani Clark and Kartanya Maynard 'Tantrum' (L-R) Sunanda Sachatrakul, Vidya Rajan and Jemma Cotter Tantrum (VIC) Varsha's doing a career-defining comedy gig. So, when best friend Jeev's screaming toddler derails the night – she snaps, calling out their entitlement in an anti-parent rant that goes viral… and tilts their friendship into a bitter, life-altering feud. Writers: Vidya Rajan and Sunanda Sachatrakul Directors: Jemma Cotter and Vidya Rajan SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legha, said:With such an exciting and ambitious group of projects at our Digital Originals workshops, it was very tough shortlisting six to take into development. We're thrilled to be working closely with this talented cohort of creatives to develop their projects. 'For any emerging creatives out there with a killer story to tell, I encourage you to apply to this round of Digital Originals. The resources, platform and pathway into the industry that this initiative offers is unmatched in the world. I can't wait to see the next wave of creative voices emerge through this year's round.' NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, Dena Curtis, said: 'Congratulations to the teams shortlisted, with bold, and innovative narratives showcased across an incredibly diverse range of stories. We continue to see First Nations creatives shining through with powerful and entertaining stories that connect with all Australians through Digital Originals, and we look forward to seeing how the participants develop their projects in 2025.' Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough, said: 'Digital Originals continues to play a critical role in opening doors for exceptional, diverse voices, and this cohort of projects is testament to the initiative's role in unearthing new Australian screen stories. We're thrilled to partner again with SBS and NITV on this initiative, and look forward to discovering the next wave of original storytellers whose work reflects and celebrates the richness of contemporary Australia.' Applications for Digital Originals in 2025 are now open, and will close at 5pm AEST on 17 July 2025. Applications can be made with Screen Australia, here. Shortlisted teams will then be invited to attend an exclusive workshop in October, followed by a pitch day in November, with a select number of projects then offered further development funding. Screen Australia, SBS and NITV will also host a Digital Originals information webinar on 13 June. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend and hear from SBS Scripted Development Executive, Zaina Ahmed, NITV Commissioning Editor, Joseph Meldrum, and Screen Australia Investment Manager, Joanna Beveridge, about the history of Digital Originals and what Screen Australia, SBS and NITV are looking for in this current round, followed by a Q&A. Date: Friday 13 June 2025 Time: 12.30-1.15pm AEST Register: Click here Accessibility : An Auslan interpreter will be made available for the webinar. If you would like to discuss this or other accessibility requirements, please contact Online@ or call 1800 507 901. An Auslan interpreter will be made available for the webinar. If you would like to discuss this or other accessibility requirements, please contact Online@ or call 1800 507 901. A recording of this webinar will be made available on the Screen Australia website soon after. Today's announcement comes as the three latest Digital Originals – Moonbird, Warm Props and Moni – are set to premiere on SBS On Demand and NITV weekly from 19 June. It also follows a legacy of projects attracting local interest and breaking into international markets. On a global stage, Moonbird had its global premiere earlier this year in April in the Short Forms competition at Series Mania, Appetite featured in the Short Form Competition at Canneseries 2023 and was also nominated for a Rose d'Or, and Latecomers also featured at Series Mania in 2023. Locally, recognition for Digital Originals has included Night Bloomers creator Andrew Undi Lee winning an Australian Writers' Guild Award for Best Web Series in 2024, and AACTA Awards for Latecomers in 2024 for Best Online Drama or Comedy, A Beginner's Guide to Grief for Best Digital Series in 2022, and The Tailings for Best Short From Drama in 2021. More information about Digital Originals is available here. The initiative is one of the many delivered by SBS designed to improve inclusion in the screen industry – read more about this work here. For a pdf copy of this release, click here.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Coming up: Geraldine Brooks — Grief, a love story - ABC Religion & Ethics
One of our most cherished authors, Geraldine Brooks, goes to Flinders Island to finally grieve the sudden death of her husband. As a convert to Judaism, she ponders how other religions use rituals to help with healing. Coming up 6:30pm Sunday 30th March on ABC TV and anytime on ABC iview. Posted 17m ago 17 minutes ago Tue 3 Jun 2025 at 12:59am
