HBO’s Casey Bloys Reveals Exciting Updates on Upcoming Series

Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, provided significant updates on several upcoming shows during an interview with Deadline. The conversation highlighted key titles that are either currently in production or set to debut in the coming years.

Harry Potter Series and Game of Thrones Projects

Bloys announced a tentative release window for the much-anticipated Harry Potter television series, suggesting it will premiere in early 2027. While he refrained from pinpointing specific months, he stated, “I would say, to narrow it down to some extent, early 2027.”

In a notable addition to HBO’s portfolio, animation veteran Genndy Tartakovsky, known for his work on Primal and Samurai Jack, will be directing the animated project titled Nine Voyages, focused on the Game of Thrones franchise. This move signals HBO’s commitment to expanding its universe through various formats.

Bloys also confirmed that a second season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is currently in production. He noted that the goal is to release shows annually, leveraging smaller-scale series that are less expensive to produce. Additionally, the popular prequel series, House of the Dragon, is planned to conclude after its fourth season, although the exact number of episodes is still to be determined.

Renewals and Successes

When asked about the future of Hacks and The Last of Us, Bloys indicated that it appears both shows may conclude with their upcoming seasons. He emphasized that final decisions on these matters will rely on the showrunners’ input.

Regarding the renewal of IT: Welcome to Derry, Bloys clarified that the project is not in limbo. He stated, “Let me say, not in limbo at all. Hardly. It was a huge success for us.” The creators, Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, are actively developing ideas for a new season, with Bloys expressing enthusiasm for their creative process.

HBO has recently experienced a surge in viewership, particularly following the success of the Canadian series Heated Rivalry, which is averaging 9 million viewers in the U.S. This series is positioning itself to become the top acquired scripted series launch in HBO Max history.

In terms of partnerships, Bloys indicated that HBO will not pursue co-production opportunities for Heated Rivalry, emphasizing the successful collaboration between the original creators and Crave. “We’re very happy licensees,” he added.

The network’s performance has been robust, with The Pitt returning earlier this month and averaging 9.5 million viewers, marking a 65% increase from its first season. Meanwhile, the newly launched A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has captivated over 8 million cross-platform viewers, making it one of HBO’s best debuts, second only to The Last of Us and House of the Dragon.

As HBO continues to expand its content offerings, the insights shared by Bloys provide a glimpse into the network’s strategic direction and commitment to delivering engaging stories to its audience. With a blend of beloved franchises and new creative projects, HBO appears poised for continued success in the competitive entertainment landscape.