Max is rebooting Harry Potter for television, and the latest update on Warner Bros. Television’s search for a writer reveals that a Succession writer has made it to the final three contenders.

Last April, Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans to bring Harry Potter to television. Max aims to retell J.K. Rowling’s beloved series in an episodic format, likely dedicating one season to each book.

Potential complications may arise in later seasons due to the increased page count of the final few books, but with the 25th anniversary of The Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone approaching, enough time has passed to justify these reboot plans.

Recently, Max began accepting pitches from various writers interested in leading the Wizarding World, and Deadline (via SFFGazette.com) reports that the shortlist has been narrowed down to three names.

Francesca Gardiner, a writer from Succession, is among the finalists and one of the three writers being considered to retell Harry Potter’s story on the small screen. While Martha Hillier, Kathleen Jordan, Tom Moran, and Michael Lesslie were previously mentioned as contenders, it’s unclear if any of them are vying for the position alongside Gardiner.

A decision is expected soon from Max and Warner Bros. Television. It’s possible that more than one writer will ultimately be hired, and the streamer is open to spin-off pitches. Despite recent controversies, Rowling is expected to be involved in the pitching process and will likely assist in choosing the individual to lead the Harry Potter TV series.

In addition to her work on Succession seasons 4 and 5, Gardiner has contributed to shows such as His Dark Materials, Killing Eve, and The Man In The High Castle.

When the announcement hit that this TV series was in development, HBO & Max Content Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys assured that the show’s budget would match that of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon (the latter’s debut season racked up a $125 million price tag, hinting at a colossal $1+ billion investment over the span of 10 years).

Despite frequent declarations from Daniel Radcliffe that he won’t be making a cameo appearance, filmmaker David Yates—known for directing four Harry Potter movies and the Fantastic Beasts trilogy—has unequivocally stated that Max will revamp the Boy Wizard without his involvement.

“Do you know what? Honestly, I could not, in any conceivable way, get involved,” he revealed last year. “It’s simple: I spent a long time at that school, in those corridors and in those classrooms, and it was an exquisite experience and one I will always treasure. But to go back and do another year or two, for me, I feel I’ve left it.”

 “I wish that show so well, it’s gonna be amazing to see them re-explore all it can be for the next generation,” Yates continued. “I think it’ll be a challenge for everyone involved, but it’s a very exciting enterprise and I wish it well.

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