J.K. Rowling's "The Casual Vacancy" is confirmed an HBO series, with the first two episodes to debut April 29 in the U.S.

J.K. Rowling's "The Casual Vacancy" is strictly for J.K. Rowling fans; HBO and BBC One partner to produce the mini-series, though, which means potential high returns for the low-risk project.

"The Casual Vacancy" was Rowling's first foray away from her hugely successful Harry Potter saga; the book released on the heels of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," with studios immediately on the bid to adapt the work.

"The Casual Vacancy" is premiering on TV after three years, on HBO and BBC One. U.K. audiences will get first crack on the episodes, on Feb. 15; U.S. viewers can catch it April 29.

For those unaware of the book, here's a spoiler-free tease of the plot, with a list of the main cast:

"The Casual Vacancy centers on Pagford, a seemingly idyllic English village with a cobbled market square and ancient abbey," according to TV by the Numbers.

"Behind the pretty façade, however, is a town at war: rich vs. poor, teenagers vs. parents, wives vs. husbands, teachers vs. pupils. The cast includes Michael Gambon, Keeley Hawes, Rory Kinnear, Monica Dolan and Julia McKenzie, and introduces Abigail Lawrie."

Rowling is recently busy with adaptations, also working on a BBC One release for "The Cuckoo's Calling," for which she'd written the script.

There's also the upcoming film adaptation of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," a chronicled revisiting of the Harry Potter universe, but unfortunately without the series' main characters.

The trailer for J.K. Rowling's "The Casual Vacancy" appeals to fans of the book in general, and is low-key in comparison to the author's other works. The project is low-risk and collaborated on by HBO and BBC One, and is unlikely at par with high-budget projects like "Game of Thrones." (screenrant.com)