Great news for Potterheads everywhere: HBO has already greenlit a second season of its upcoming Harry Potter series, even before the first one has aired. Season 1 is still on track to debut this Christmas, but the network isn’t wasting any time.

The renewal is very much in line with HBO’s overarching vision for the project: adapting all seven of J.K. Rowling‘s books into seven seasons of television over the span of a decade. Season 2, which will cover Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, is set to begin production this autumn.

A new co-showrunner joins the helm

To handle the overlapping production schedules, Jon Brown (a writer on Season 1) has been promoted to co-showrunner for Season 2. He’ll be working alongside Francesca Gardiner, who has served as showrunner since the beginning of the project. Gardiner commented on the decision:

“As we have laid out our plans for the overlapping production schedules to finish Season 1 by Christmas and to return to production for Season 2 this autumn, it has become clear that bringing on a co-showrunner is the key to maintaining our momentum. I’ve loved working with Jon from the very first day we met on ‘Succession’ through to these recent times together on ‘Harry Potter.’ Not only do I have huge admiration for his writing, but he’s also a brilliant collaborator and a lovely person. We are lucky to have him.”

Brown, for his part, seems more than ready for the challenge:

“I’m incredibly excited to be collaborating with Francesca as co-showrunner. It has been a joy to write on ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ and I’d like to thank Francesca and HBO for putting their faith in me to continue this remarkable journey. Seems you’re never too old to get your invitation to Hogwarts.”

A quick reminder on season 1

Titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (using the original UK title), Season 1 follows Harry (played by Dominic McLaughlin) from his 11th birthday, when a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry changes everything. The season is executive produced by Gardiner, director Mark Mylod, J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts (Brontë Film and TV), and David Heyman (Heyday Films). Warner Bros. Television is the studio behind the production.

With filming on Season 2 kicking off before Season 1 has even premiered, it’s clear HBO is fully committed to making this adaptation a long-term, flagship project.