The boy who lived is back, and so are his friends from Hogwarts school of magic, but this time with a new cast. The first teaser of HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, based on JK Rowling's best-selling books, tells the familiar story of Harry Potter, played by newcomer Dominic McLaughlin, who lived under the stairs with his aunt and uncle before he gets a suspicious letter inviting him to Hogwarts.
The much-anticipated fantasy series will see the adaptation of the author's seven-novel saga with the upcoming season set to explore the first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The first film, released in 2001, was directed by Chris Columbus.
Along with the teaser, the makers also dropped a surprise announcement that the series will premiere on Christmas this year, shifting its release date from 2027.
The teaser also gives a first look at Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton as Harry's best buddies Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Paapa Essiedu plays Severus Snape, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, among others. The two-minute-long video has stirred a major nostalgia for fans of the books and film series as it shows several memorable moments including Harry's first encounter with his wand, his bond with Hagrid, Hermione and Ron, tiff with Malfoy, his firs Quidditch game and more.
The series has also particularly made headlines for receiving backlash for its re-casting of certain iconic characters including Lithgow and Essiedu's roles as Dumbledore and Snape with both of them admitting to have faced serious threats on the internet. Rowling continues to remain a subject of controversy for her anti-trans stance.
Hans Zimmer serves as the composer for the series along with the Bleeding Fingers collective.
The upcoming series is written by Francesca Gardiner, with Mark Mylod serving as a director. Gardiner and Mylod serve as executive producer with author JK Rowling, Neil Blair, David Heyman, and Ruth Kenley-Letts. Bronte Film, Heyday Films, and Warner Bros Television are backing the series.
