Stills from the Harry Potter teaser trailer 
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Harry Potter trailer breakdown: Quidditch, Sorting Hat, Snape, spells and more

The first season of Harry Potter will consist of eight episodes and adapt the entirety of The Philosopher’s Stone

Cinema Express Desk

HBO has unveiled a new trailer for its upcoming Harry Potter series, offering the most extensive look yet at the television adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The footage introduces several familiar faces at Hogwarts while recreating some of the first book’s most recognisable moments, from the Sorting Ceremony to Harry’s first Quidditch match.

The trailer follows Harry Potter (Dominic McLaughlin) as he leaves his life with the Dursleys behind and begins discovering the wizarding world. Alongside new glimpses of Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout) and Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton), the footage takes viewers aboard the Hogwarts Express before arriving at the castle, where the trio’s first year begins.

One of the trailer’s biggest moments is the Sorting Ceremony, with Harry placed in Gryffindor in front of the students of Hogwarts. The Great Hall also gets a fuller showcase, including the magical feast. Elsewhere, Harry can be seen attending classes, while the trailer offers glimpses of flying lessons and his first experience on the Quidditch pitch.

The footage also packs in several details from the latter half of the book. Harry is seen using the Invisibility Cloak, while the Mirror of Erised makes an appearance. There is also a glimpse of the giant Wizard Chess set, one of the obstacles Harry, Ron and Hermione must overcome on their way to the Philosopher’s Stone.

The new trailer gives considerably more screen time to the Hogwarts faculty. John Lithgow appears as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer plays Professor McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of Severus Snape. Nick Frost’s Hagrid also features prominently, while the footage offers a first proper look at Rory Wilmot as Professor Quirrell.

Some of the darker moments of the story have also been teased, including the troll encounter and the three-headed dog guarding a trapdoor. The trailer appears to retain several elements familiar from the original film while giving the series room to expand on moments that were condensed in the 2001 adaptation.

The series is being led by showrunner Francesca Gardiner and Succession director Mark Mylod. The first season will consist of eight episodes and adapt the entirety of The Philosopher’s Stone. It is scheduled to premiere on HBO and HBO Max on December 25, 2026.

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