J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels are getting an audiobook reboot, Variety reports.
Audible, the audiobook service owned by Amazon, is collaborating with Pottermore Publishing to develop new audio adaptations of all seven of Rowling’s children’s fantasy novels.
Rowling introduced her world-famous young wizard in 1997 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (published in the U.S. as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone). The novel was a massive bestseller, and Rowling would go on to write six more books in the series, culminating in 2007 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The novels spawned a series of blockbuster film adaptations starring Daniel Radcliffe, and Harry became one of the most iconic figures in English-language children’s literature. A television series based on the books is in the works at Max.
The original audiobook versions of the novels, narrated by Stephen Fry in the U.K. and Jim Dale in the U.S., were also massive hits. In 2022, Pottermore Publishing announced that fans have listened to those versions for more than 1 billion hours.
The new versions, Variety reports, will feature a full cast of more than 100 actors narrating the books.
Audible CEO Bob Carrigan said, “With millions upon millions of Audible listeners devouring Harry Potter at an astonishing rate, we are thrilled about the opportunity to be part of this next chapter—delighting new and old fans alike with a reinvigorated listening experience that Audible is expertly positioned to create.”
The new audiobooks are scheduled for release in 2025.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
