Hans Zimmer to compose score for Harry Potter HBO series

Esteemed German composer Hans Zimmer is to create the score for the upcoming controversial Harry Potter TV series.

HBO, the production company behind the TV adaptation of JK Rowling’s wizarding novel series, announced the news on 15 January.

The streaming giant revealed that the prolific music producer would be working with composition collective Bleeding Fingers Music to compose a new score for the series, which is set to debut in 2027.

In a statement, Zimmer said that he was “humbled” to join the “remarkable” team behind the HBO Harry Potter series, adding that he hoped to “bring audiences that little bit closer” to the “magic” of the story.

The 68-year-old composer is known for his revered work in some of the most acclaimed films and series of the 21st century, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Gladiator and Interstellar. He has been nominated 12 times in the Best Original Score category at the Academy Awards, winning twice – for The Lion King in 1995 and Dune in 2022.

Despite his accolades and acclaim, Zimmer’s involvement in the Harry Potter TV series has caused upset for some social media users, due to Rowling’s involvement in the huge project.

Rowling, who has become known for her so-called ‘gender-critical’ beliefs and frequent claims about the trans community, is an executive producer on the series.

Last year, following the UK Supreme Court ruling that the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of a woman and sex relate to “biological women” and “biological sex” – thus excluding trans women – the author set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund to support other such ‘gender-critical’ legal cases.

Some members of the LGBTQ+ community have argued that future Harry Potter projects will assist Rowling in financing future legal challenges.

“I’m actually so disappointed in Hans Zimmer for agreeing to do the score for the Harry Potter series,” one X, formerly Twitter, user wrote following news of his involvement being announced.

“It’s a shame because he’s such an incredible composer and his soundtracks are among my favourites… the fact he’s agreed to do this is just disappointing.”

“Was thinking about a whole international trip to see a Hans Zimmer show. That dream is dead now. Thank you for saving me money,” a second wrote.

Stars currently involved in the upcoming HBO series include Nick Frost, Paapa Essiedu, John Lithgow, and Janet McTeer.

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