Warner Bros. has unveiled plans to create a cohesive narrative universe by connecting the highly anticipated sequel to Hogwarts Legacy with the upcoming HBO Harry Potter TV series. Dive into the details to learn more about their ambitious vision.
Hogwarts Legacy Sequel to Share "Big Picture Storytelling Elements" with Harry Potter TV Series
Warner Bros. Interactive has confirmed that a sequel to the wildly popular Hogwarts Legacy is in development and will feature direct ties to the forthcoming Harry Potter TV series on HBO, set to premiere in 2026. The original game, which sold over 30 million copies since its 2023 release, has cemented its status as one of the top-performing games in recent years.
"We have known for some time that fans are looking for more things in this world, and so we’re spending a lot of time thinking about that," said David Haddad, president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, in an interview with Variety. He highlighted the collaborative effort with Warner Bros. Television to weave a unified narrative thread between the game and the TV series. Despite the game being set in the 1800s—far earlier than the series’ timeline—it will incorporate thematic and "big-picture storytelling elements" to align with the new show.
While specifics about the HBO Max series remain under wraps, Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, assured fans that the series "will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years." These narratives have been cherished through films, books, and countless fan fictions.
The challenge lies in preserving the unique identity of the game while seamlessly integrating it with the eagerly awaited series, ensuring the connections feel natural and not forced. Given the historical gap between the two settings, it’s yet to be seen how the narratives will bridge this divide, but fans are eager to uncover new lore or secrets about Hogwarts and its storied alumni.
Haddad acknowledges that the success of Hogwarts Legacy has sparked renewed interest in the franchise across various platforms. "The rest of the company was very curious about what we helped to unlock with ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ last year," he noted.
It's crucial to mention that J.K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter series, will not be directly involved in managing the franchise, according to Variety. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will keep her informed through her literary agent, but Robert Oberschelp, head of global consumer products at WBD, emphasized, "If we’re going to ever go beyond a canon conversation, we make sure that we’re all comfortable with what we’re doing."
Rowling's controversial statements have overshadowed the series, prompting many to boycott Hogwarts Legacy in 2023 in protest of her transphobic remarks. Despite the boycott, the game became one of the best-selling video games ever, surpassing titles like GTA San Andreas and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Fans can rest assured that Rowling’s exclusionary views will not be reflected in the game or the upcoming HBO series.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Release Date Expected Near Harry Potter HBO Series Debut
Warner Bros. aims to launch the HBO series in 2026 or 2027, suggesting that the Hogwarts Legacy sequel may not be released before then. Gunnar Widenfels, CFO of Warner Bros. Discovery, noted in September that "Obviously a successor to Hogwarts Legacy is one of the biggest priorities in a couple of years down the road."
Given the time needed to develop a sequel to one of 2023's biggest games, we at Game8 predict a release window for Hogwarts Legacy 2 around 2027 to 2028.
For more insights into our predictions on the release of Hogwarts Legacy 2, check out our detailed article below!
