Credit: HBOThe brand-new wizarding world has finally been unveiled in the first official trailer for HBO’s Harry Potter television series, which is now set to premiere this Christmas.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone after the first novel, it consists of eight episodes and is the first of seven seasons, each dedicated to one of J. K. Rowling’s novels.
Starring Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively, along with an extensive ensemble cast, the series is considered one of the most expensive HBO projects ever.
Watch the first official trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone below:
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The entire cast is on display in the new trailer, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander, to name a few.
Although Warner Bros. has previously stated that the “classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise,” these actors are now the new faces of Harry Potter, in a series that’s long been touted as a more “faithful adaptation” of Rowling’s bestselling novels.
Will Anyone From the Harry Potter Films Return?
Could any of the actors from the film series appear in HBO’s reboot?
While some actors from the films have expressed an interest in playing someone else in the series, such as Matthew Lewis and Jason Isaacs, who play Neville Longbottom and Lucius Malfoy, respectively, so far, only one star has returned for the upcoming television series.
Warwick Davis reprises his role as Professor Filius Flitwick (Joker actor Leigh Gill takes on Davis’ second character, Griphook), which still continues to confuse Potterheads who felt they were promised a total reimagining that’s completely separate from the eight films.
But could Davis’ return create a bridge for other actors to come back?
The Deathly Hallows — Part II (2011) epilogue, in which Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson play older versions of Harry, Ron, and Hermione 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts, instantly comes to mind. Could those well-established actors stand in for newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton when the time comes?
While it would make perfect sense considering many fans criticized the mostly unconvincing makeup during that scene, there are a few reasons that make it highly unlikely.
Firstly, HBO will likely see no problem in using the new trio of actors to play their older selves 10 years from now (that’s how long the series is expected to run) in the same way Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson — and other actors in that scene — did in the 2011 film. Digital technology will have advanced even more by then — perhaps “up-aging” will be the new “de-aging.”
Secondly, the three actors from the films might actually be considered too old by then as they’ll all be in their mid-to-late 40s (they really ought to film it now!), even if it no one at the studio saw a problem with them playing 37-year-olds when they were each in their early 20s.
Thirdly, Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson have publicly distanced themselves from J. K. Rowling over the years due to her divisive views on gender identity. Rowling recently fired back at Watson in particular, who seemingly tried to indirectly bury the hatchet during an interview.
Still, it’s a shame, not only because there’s a huge rift between the original Harry, Ron, and Hermione and the creator of the wizarding world, but also because it would make sense for the original actors to recreate that infamous epilogue scene, which would bring things full circle when the series ends.
Harry Potter TV Series Controversies
Putting the Rowling rifts aside, the new series itself has not been without controversy since its announcement in 2021.
Actor Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror, Gangs of London), who plays Severus Snape in the series, has experienced racism and death threats from online trolls, while trans activists have boycotted the series due to Rowling’s involvement. Most recently, there have been unverified reports (per The Sun) of on-set altercations involving younger cast members.
For now, Warwick Davis is the only actor reprising his role; however, it’s also worth noting that Tom Felton reprised his role as the older version of Draco Malfoy in the Broadway version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child last year. So never say never.
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HBO’s Harry Potter is written and executive-produced by showrunner Francesca Gardiner (HBO’s Succession, His Dark Materials, Killing Eve). J. K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films are also onboard as executive producers. Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) will executive-produce and direct multiple episodes.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone premieres on HBO on Christmas 2026.
Are you excited about the new Harry Potter series? What do you think of the trailer? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!