After a long casting process and a closely guarded production, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are finally returning to Hogwarts. HBO released the first short trailer for the new “Harry Potter” series today, revealing a previously unannounced premiere date: Christmas 2026.
Previews for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" – the first season of the series, based on the first of JK Rowling's seven books – introduce the three main characters: Harry (Dominic McLaughlin) and his friends Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton) and Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout), 11-year-olds who meet on the train to their first year of wizarding school.
The two-minute trailer, first unveiled at a press event in London, also features some of the iconic moments from the book and 2001 film by Chris Columbus, including Harry's first encounter with the giant Hagrid (Nick Frost), the Sorting Hat test, and his first Quidditch match as a Gryffindor seeker.
McLaughlin, Stanton and Stout were chosen after an extensive search and open auditions for British children aged 9 to 11 to play the main trio over several seasons, in a relatively real-time manner. The adult cast includes John Lithgow as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor Minerva McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape. “Succession” screenwriter Francesca Gardiner is the “mastermind” behind the entire project, which has been shooting in secret at Leavesden Studios in England since last July. Mark Mylod, known for “Game of Thrones” and “Succession,” is directing several episodes.
The multi-story series is expected to delve deeper into the beloved books than the eight-film saga. According to JB Perrette of Warner Bros. Discovery, the project represents “the biggest streaming event in the history of HBO Max and perhaps the entire industry.”
The star of the original films, Daniel Radcliffe, recently made headlines when he said that Dominic McLaughlin might be better suited for the role than he was when he was 12 years old in 2001. "I'm sure Dominic will be better than me. I learned along the way," he said.
However, the series has also sparked heated debate, particularly over the casting of Paapa Essiedu as Snape, a character previously played by white actor Alan Rickman. Essiedu has revealed that he received death threats for the role, but decided to use the backlash as motivation.
“I was told, ‘Go away or we’ll kill you,’” he said. “Nobody should have to go through this just because they’re doing their job. The themes of Harry Potter are about love triumphing over hate and acceptance — and that’s why I’m doing it.”
There has also been ongoing criticism of Rowling's public comments about the transgender community. The author, whose fortune from the "Harry Potter" universe is estimated at around £20 billion, is an executive producer on the series. Lithgow said he was "touched" by the criticism of her inclusion, stressing that her books are against intolerance.
When asked if Rowling's views are a problem for the series, HBO's director of content, Casey Bloys, responded that they are personal opinions and do not influence the content of the series.
According to the trailer, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" will be released on HBO Max this Christmas, several months earlier than the original 2027 release date, and nearly 30 years after the first book was published.
