A ‘Hacks’ Upset and a Hogwarts Delay? HBO Boss Casey Bloys Spills on the Future of ‘The Last of Us,’ ‘White Lotus,’ and ‘Harry Potter’

The Emmys may be over, but the conversation is just getting started. In a night that many expected to be a victory lap for FX’s The Bear, Max’s Hacks pulled off a stunning “upset” to take home the prize for Outstanding Comedy Series—and no one was more thrilled (or surprised) than HBO and Max Content CEO Casey Bloys.

“If you read all the prognostications going in, everybody thought The Bear was gonna win, myself included,” Bloys told Deadline at the star-studded HBO | Max afterparty. “It was a great surprising moment, and I was thrilled.”

The win for Hacks—which also saw Jean Smart take home Lead Actress—has reignited the viral debate over what actually defines a “comedy” in the era of gritty, hour-long dramedies. While social media platforms like X and TikTok have been divided over whether The Bear belongs in the category, Bloys is staying out of the fray.

“I’ve been on both sides of that,” he joked. “I think probably the more natural category is half-hour vs. hour, so I don’t get too hung up on that.”

But while Hacks fans are celebrating, Harry Potter enthusiasts might need to hold onto their wands a little tighter. Bloys gave a cautious update on the highly anticipated TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world, suggesting we might be waiting a bit longer than originally hoped.

While a recent casting call for the new Harry, Ron, and Hermione mentioned March , Bloys clarified that date referred to the actors’ ages, not necessarily the start of filming. “Late ’-’,” Bloys noted regarding a potential premiere. “Writers are just getting started, so it’s too soon to talk about an airdate.”

The delay hasn’t dampened his spirits, though. Bloys expressed total confidence in the creative duo at the helm, Succession veterans Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod. “I feel very, very happy and excited about what they’ve got going,” he added.

For fans of HBO’s other heavy hitters, the news is a bit more concrete. Bloys confirmed he has already seen footage from The Last of Us Season , promising that “everybody is going to love” what creator Craig Mazin has cooked up.

As for The White Lotus, which is currently filming its third installment in Thailand, Bloys teased that he expects both it and The Last of Us to land in the first half of —just in time for the next Emmy window.

And what about the long-awaited return to East Highland? Despite the rumors, Bloys insists Euphoria is still on track. “Our plan was to shoot starting in mid-January, and that’s still on track,” he said, adding that he is “very pleased” with the scripts Sam Levinson has turned in.

The night wasn’t just about the future, though. It was also about saying goodbye to a legend. While Curb Your Enthusiasm ended its -season run without a final major Emmy win, Bloys revealed he spoke to Larry David about the shutout.

“Emmys aren’t everything, the work stands on its own,” Bloys said. “But I’d say, along the seasons, maybe we missed as an industry acknowledging Curb.”

Between the Hacks victory and the promise of a massive , it’s clear that HBO is leaning into its prestige roots. Whether it’s zombies in the snow or wizards in a castle, the wait—as painful as it may be—usually ends up being worth it.

Would you like me to keep an eye out for the official casting announcements for the new Harry, Ron, and Hermione so you can see them first?