HBO rarely plays it safe. The network built its reputation by betting big on prestige dramas, risky adaptations, and star-packed limited series that instantly dominate the cultural conversation.
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From magical reboots to gritty crime dramas, these three upcoming HBO series look especially promising.
‘Harry Potter’
Yes, HBO officially entered the Wizarding World business. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed that the network’s new Harry Potter television adaptation will retell J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga across multiple seasons. The ambitious reboot aims to dive deeper into the source material than the blockbuster films managed during their theatrical run.
That strategy alone makes the project one of HBO’s biggest swings in years. The series already sparked nonstop debate online, but controversy hasn’t slowed fan curiosity. Francesca Gardiner will serve as showrunner, while Succession director Mark Mylod joins the project as an executive producer and director. HBO executives continue describing the series as a “faithful adaptation” designed to stretch across a decade of storytelling.
‘Welcome to Derry’ Season 2
HBO keeps mining Stephen King’s nightmare fuel, and this horror prequel could become the network’s next breakout obsession. The series explores the origins of Pennywise decades before the events of the recent It films. Bill Skarsgård returns as the terrifying clown, instantly boosting fan excitement.
The project also carries serious horror pedigree behind the scenes. Filmmaker Andy Muschietti, who directed the blockbuster It movies, remains heavily involved in the series’ development. HBO reportedly plans to expand the mythology surrounding Derry’s cursed history, giving horror fans far more than another clown-jump-scare compilation.
‘Lanterns’
DC fans have waited years for a Green Lantern adaptation that actually sticks the landing. HBO now hopes to deliver exactly that with Lanterns, a gritty detective-style superhero drama centered on Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
Instead of leaning fully into cosmic spectacle, the series reportedly takes inspiration from True Detective. That tonal shift already separates the project from previous DC misfires. Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler headline the cast, while HBO and DC Studios continue positioning the show as a key pillar of the studio’s rebooted superhero universe.