The BBC has commissioned a two-part documentary series focusing on the career and legacy of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. The series will explore her life and work, including the creation of the Harry Potter books and their global impact.
The first part of the documentary will cover Rowling's early life and the development of the Harry Potter series. A press release states that the books "inspired a generation of outsiders and brought millions of young fans together through the emerging internet," creating a universe with a significant economic legacy.
The second episode will delve into her career after Harry Potter. It will examine how her public statements on topics such as Scottish independence, feminism, free speech, and gender identity have placed her at the centre of online discussions amid the rise of social media and "intensifying culture wars."
The documentary will include archive interviews with Rowling, who is aware of the show but is not involved in its production. It is scheduled to premiere next year, following the launch of HBO's new Harry Potter adaptation.
David Harron, BBC Scotland’s commissioning editor, stated that the series explores "not only the creation of a global phenomenon, but also how Britain’s culture has been shaped by significant social and technological changes in recent years." Executive producer James Rogan added that the documentary will explore her story "from her early days as a writer to the present moment and how her unflinching personal beliefs have sparked a fraught and divisive dialogue that continues to this day."