Calling all Potterheads, our time is here! HBO Max is currently producing Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, a television series set to air on Christmas Day this year.
The first season will follow the book written by J.K. Rowling and the film that followed it. The television series will take place in the early to late 1990s, just like the original series. Though it can be rather difficult to travel back in time, the trailer does not disappoint with its costumes and props to bring the magic and time period back to life.
What is Harry Potter?
If you aren’t too familiar with the books and movie series, Harry Potter follows him and his two friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, through Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry, located in the Scottish Highlands. As they learn new spells and test their magic, the trio always finds themselves in some sort of situation.
After the death of his parents from a violent attack, Harry was dropped off at the doorstep of his aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley. Harry grows up with them and their son, Dudley, as they mistreat him and force him to sleep under the stairs.
What Harry doesn’t know, however, is that his parents were a wizard and a witch. This discovery allows him to enter the world of magic and find a new home, one where he truly belongs. In the wizarding world, people know Harry Potter as “the boy who lived” and recognize him by the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
Rowling released the first book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” in 1997. In the United States, however, the first novel was renamed “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by publisher Scholastic Corporation. The series spanned a decade, concluding with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
Just four years after the book’s release, filmmakers adapted it into a film, marking a groundbreaking moment for cinema. The movies continued to follow the books until 2011. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was split into two parts that year.
Harry Potter: The Television Series
Mark Mylod is directing the show. He’s also directed The Menu and multiple episodes of Game of Thrones.
Watching the trailer, fans see some new and unrecognized faces. Unfortunately, none of the original cast members, such as Daniel Radcliffe or Emma Watson, from the movie series will make an appearance in the HBO Max version.
Dominic McLaughlin is starring as Harry Potter, with Alastair Stout portraying Ron and Arabella Stanton as Hermione. According to Variety, HBO held auditions for over 32,000 children for the role of Harry.
Other notable cast members include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape. While the show has received criticism from fans saying to “give the Harry Potter series a rest,” Essiedu especially has been receiving racist backlash.
Fans are nitpicking that the book series describes Snape as “thin” and “pale.” Because of this, they argue that Essiedu should not have been cast in the role.
"The abuse fuels me": Harry Potter TV actor Paapa Essiedu slams racist backlash following Snape casting. https://t.co/gTEZKJq3SM pic.twitter.com/XpuT25sxdv
— IGN (@IGN) March 23, 2026
Future seasons of the show will follow each book, hopefully allowing for more detail and character development.
HBO also recently announced a behind-the-scenes documentary following the new television show. Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic will stream on HBO Max on April 5.
Don’t be a muggle this year and join in on the magic this upcoming December.
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