'Harry Potter' Finally Reveals Paapa Essiedu's Snape, as First Trailer for HBO Series Arrives

The first official trailer for the Harry Potter series has finally arrived.

It’s been a long time coming for the high-profile production, which was first announced in January 2021. But while anticipation for the reboot is high, it has been marred by controversy since day one.

Related: HBO Concerned Over Violent ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot Backlash, Locks Down Set

Many Fans Have Been “Up to No Good”

Trans activists have boycotted the series due to J. K. Rowling’s involvement, while Paapa Essiedu, who plays Severus Snape, recently opened up about how he has experienced racism and even death threats from online trolls, which comes as no surprise given how critical a portion of the fanbase has been about his casting.

The production has even faced bullying allegations, with young actors reportedly seen fighting on set.

The project has also faced criticism from those understandably protective of the eight Harry Potter films. However, the series is a “faithful adaptation” of Rowling’s books, and Warner Bros. has stated that the “classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise.”

Now, we finally have our first official trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, along with a newly confirmed release window:

Related: ‘Harry Potter’ TV Reboot Expected To Share Its Continuity With Divisive Prequel Series

The Harry Potter Cast Would Fill Hogwarts Castle

The main Hogwarts trio, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, are played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton, respectively. They replace Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson from the long-running film series. The newcomers can be seen throughout the trailer, along with several other characters.

We also get our first look at the new Snape, who can be seen aiming his wand in a dark corridor. Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror, Gangs of London) takes over from the late Alan Rickman, who portrayed the Hogwarts professor in all eight Harry Potter films.

The series boasts an extensive supporting cast that includes John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.

Warwick Davis is the only actor from the films to reprise his role in the series, returning as Professor Filius Flitwick. It remains to be seen whether actors such as Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson will appear in cameos; however, it’s unlikely given the fact that they have publicly distanced themselves from Rowling in recent years due to her divisive views on gender identity.

Harry Potter Is One of the Most Ambitious HBO Projects

The series is being filmed on a purpose-built set in Leavesden near Watford, the home of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, where the eight films were made. It has also been filmed on location throughout the U.K.

It is considered one of HBO’s most ambitious and expensive projects ever, with a reported budget exceeding $100 million per episode. It will span seven seasons — that’s one per Harry Potter book — and is expected to run over a 10-year period.

Per Variety, HBO Max head of original programming Sarah Aubrey recently teased the series at Series Mania, describing the world created in the show as “absolutely extraordinary.” She then displayed the first image from the series, which showed Dominic McLaughlin as Harry approaching a busy Quidditch pitch in a flowing Gryffindor cloak.

First look at the live-action ‘HARRY POTTER’ series. pic.twitter.com/69V0LgcgCx

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 24, 2026

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. The series consists of eight episodes.

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!