THE HARRY POTTER REBOOT'S STRANGE SHOWRUNNER CHOICE MAKES MORE SENSE THAN FANS REALIZE

The idea of a Harry Potter television reboot has already split audiences. Some fans feel it's too soon to return to the franchise, especially when there are so many other spinoffs that could be developed. Others want to see a new take on the Wizarding World, perhaps one that adheres closer to the source material. Regardless of where audiences stand, there's no doubt that it will likely achieve big numbers for Warner Bros. as discussions continue about what to expect from this alternative approach. Slowly but surely, production details are starting to emerge that paint a positive picture of the reboot series.

Recently, the showrunner and lead director for the reboot was announced, with both boasting an incredible range of credits. While fans will be waiting to hear about the flashier selections, like the lead cast and supporting ensemble, these two important pieces of the puzzle will be integral to giving the series its voice and tone. Interestingly, they have been taken from an unexpected source, having served on a very adult series on HBO. However, their quality and wider filmography perfectly encapsulate why this dynamic duo is the correct choice.

Francesca Gardiner & Mark Mylod Made Their Mark With Succession

The HBO Show Is a Standout of the Modern Era

• The new Harry Potter series is expected to film in 2025.

The story of the boy wizard taking on the Dark Lord is whimsical, heartfelt, harrowing, dark, and fantastical, all in equal measure. Finding someone who can balance all these genre elements and complex emotional beats was always going to be a challenge. However, Warner Bros. has settled on two creatives with which HBO already has a great track record. Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod actually cut their teeth in recent years on the show Succession. Audiences are well aware of the prestige quality that has accompanied the series' reputation, with these two industry leaders helping to balance the dark humor with massive moments of tension. Succession is far more versatile as a show than many give it credit for, and if it's not the witty dialogue and superb performances, then it's the camera movements and framing that put a bit of magic on the screen. Each aspect of Succession is a masterclass in television storytelling, and Warner Bros. clearly has firm plans to tap into those serialized aspects to ensure that Harry Potter is not just another one of those series that is treated as an elongated movie.

Gardiner and Mylod's experience in this space, at the top of the industry, certainly shouldn't be overlooked. But many might point out that it seems like an odd fit. Harry Potter to Succession doesn't, on paper, feel like a natural transition. However, one of the greatest Harry Potter directors, Alfonso Cuarón, had previously worked on a very adult coming-of-age tale in Y tu mamá también, which somehow translated so well to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. So the franchise has a history of taking directors and creatives from unexpected places and Succession's Consulting Producer, Gardiner, and Director, Mylod, should thus not be judged based on the contrast in the tone of the material. Just like any other franchise, Harry Potter benefits from an attention to detail and commitment to narrative risk-taking that Succession prides itself on, so fans should feel reassured by these choices. However, to make that point all the more clear, it's definitely worth looking into both Gardiner and Mylod's previous credits, to get a larger sense of who they are as filmmakers.

Gardiner Has Already Demonstrated Her Ability to Tell Stories at Scale

These Three Major Producer Credits Only Scratch the Surface

• Gardiner's very first credit was as a Location Assistant on the 2008 short Baghdad Express.

As a consulting producer on Succession, Francesca Gardiner used her years in the industry to help guide 17 episodes of Succession, an impressive run. But prestige television seems to be linked heavily to Gardiner's career. The fantastical sci-fi show The Man In The High Castle also benefited from Gardiner's skillset for instance, with Gardiner writing on the show. She has also lent her writing talents to Medici and The Rook, indicating just how wide-ranging her abilities are. Medici is a particularly interesting inclusion, as much like The Man In The High Castle's more fantastical moments, it taps into a key aspect of Harry Potter lore. The Wizarding World is somehow timeless due to the lack of technology within the magical space. The experience she gained writing for the period setting in Medici should thus be a useful guiding hand in defining the unique dated qualities of Harry's landscape, and it may help the show's key locations gain a new sense of identity.

But there are two particular producing credits that really stand out as firm examples of what Gardiner should be able to do in this role. The first is Killing Eve. Working on eight episodes of the show as a Co-Executive Producer is a firm indication that her work makes a genuine difference to the quality of a series. Working on one major hit could be called luck, but contributing to another in a completely different genre is astounding. The British influence on Killing Eve is also worth noting, with UK crowds feeling a sense of ownership over the Jodie Comer piece. That's a theme that is sure to be relevant again with Harry Potter, and considering there are even a few Wizarding World cast members performing in Killing Eve, the connections are clear to make. Even more importantly, Gardiner worked as the Executive Producer on six episodes of His Dark Materials. The incredible British-led show featured an amazing cast, gorgeous visuals, and a stunning premise. The adaptation of a major fantasy franchise is not an easy thing, especially since The Golden Compass failed in the past. But this is the credit that truly closely compares to Harry Potter, with a young lead, magical elements, and a balanced ensemble between up-and-coming actors and famous industry veterans. In many ways, His Dark Materials is the blueprint of what fans can expect from Gardiner's take on Harry Potter, and that's a very exciting insight.

Mylod Has Cut His Teeth In Genre Storytelling

Disney & Westeros Are Just Some of the Relevant Fantasy Lands From the Director's Past

• Mylod's very first credit was as a Floor Assistant on Eastenders in 1988.

Gardiner's credits might be phenomenal, but the show will only be as good as its director. Mark Mylod is acting as both Director and Executive Producer on Harry Potter, and his time on Succession has certainly framed his outlook on the industry. His producing credits on shows like Entourage and Minority Report are definitely interesting, but it's his directing work that is most appealing. Shameless, Amazing Stories, and, most notably, The Menu are some standouts from his career thus far. The latter of which was critically well-received and a true celebration of the medium. As a director, Mylod has demonstrated an innate ability to switch gears very quickly, dealing well with tonal shifts and constantly finding ways to bring the best out of his performances. The list of cast members he has worked alongside speaks for itself, and once again, there are a few Harry Potter veterans among them, alongside a couple of candidates who might make incredible additions to the series moving forward. A Harry Potter director will have to find ways to navigate plot holes, survive action sequences, and still portray humorous asides. Mylod can do all of that and more. In fact, HBO is putting so much faith in the artist that he'll even be directing on the next season of The Last of Us.

Just like with Gardiner, there are a couple of credits that really ensure that giving Mylod the keys to the kingdom is the correct approach for the franchise. The first is Once Upon a Time, the Disney series that reimagines classic movie characters for a new fairytale world. Adapting familiar content in this kind of style isn't a million miles away from a series reboot, and the fantasy backdrop certainly gives Mylod the necessary experience in the genre. But there's perhaps nothing more relevant than the director's work on Game of Thrones. The high-fantasy series actually goes a step further than the Wizarding World in its portrayal of a magical new landscape. Quality dialogue, big battles, character conflict, impressive locations, and the importance of factions and houses are all elements that Mylod had to deal with that will ultimately play into Harry Potter, too. Just like Gardiner, while Succession is a brilliant indication of the scaled emotional storytelling these two will achieve, this fantasy background is even more promising for fans of the Wizarding World franchise.

2024-07-02T07:52:54Z dg43tfdfdgfd