So, before we get into this article, I’d like to establish two things.
1. I’ve never read the Harry Potter books. My love for the Wizarding World comes entirely from the movies. As much as I’d love to read the books, I’ve always struggled to concentrate when reading, and I find myself much more engaged with visual storytelling through TV shows and films.
2. Nothing will ever take away from the original movies or their cast. The Harry Potter films will always be iconic, and the actors who brought these beloved characters to life have already cemented their places as legends. Regardless of how successful the upcoming series becomes, that will never change.
With all of that said, let’s dive into the article.
The series is set to premiere on HBO and HBO Max on December 25th, 2026. Christmas Day, of all days, which feels rather magical in itself. We’ve already had numerous glimpses of the series through teasers and promotional material, with HBO heavily marketing the show ahead of its highly anticipated premiere.
Now, as I mentioned in my first point, I’ve never read the books. However, even I know that the books contain far more content than the movies ever managed to explore. Understandably, a significant amount of material had to be cut to fit each story into a feature-length film.
And this is exactly where the series could shine. Unlike the movies, the television format gives HBO considerably more screen time to explore storylines, characters and moments that never made it onto the big screen.
The series is planned to adapt all seven books, with each season dedicated to a different novel. The first season, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will consist of eight episodes, giving the story substantially more room to breathe.
However, despite the excitement surrounding the series, there has also been a considerable amount of backlash, particularly regarding some of the casting decisions. It seems that almost every actor announced has been compared to their movie counterpart, often before they’ve even had the opportunity to demonstrate what they can bring to the role. That’s one of the biggest problems with a project like this.
Every casting decision seems to come under intense scrutiny. I’ve seen John Lithgow, who will portray Albus Dumbledore, criticised simply because he’s American rather than British. Nick Frost’s casting as Rubeus Hagrid has also faced criticism online, alongside several other casting decisions. It’s disappointing to see, particularly when we’ve already witnessed just how damaging online abuse can become.
Let’s go back to May 27th, 2022, when Obi-Wan Kenobi premiered on Disney+. Moses Ingram, who portrayed the Third Sister, otherwise known as Reva, was subjected to horrific online abuse following her appearance in the series. This included racist remarks, degrading comments and even threats.
The situation became so serious that Ewan McGregor publicly defended his co-star and condemned the abuse she had received. That’s where I think things go too far. These actors are being cast in roles that could mean absolutely everything to them. For some, these could be career-defining opportunities, yet before audiences have even seen what they’re capable of, they’re already being torn apart online.
There’s nothing wrong with questioning a casting decision or expressing concerns about an adaptation. But there’s a significant difference between constructive criticism and personally attacking someone simply because they don’t resemble the actor who previously portrayed the character.
And strangely enough, that’s actually another reason I’m excited about Harry Potter. I have a feeling that this cast will have a point to prove. That includes Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast as Severus Snape.
I’ll admit that, initially, I wasn’t particularly convinced by the casting choice myself. However, I was still eager to see what Essiedu could bring to such an iconic character. Let’s face it, he arguably has some of the biggest boots to fill in the entire series.
Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Severus Snape was nothing short of legendary. He brought an extraordinary presence to the character, delivering a performance that will forever be associated with the Harry Potter franchise. But that doesn’t mean Essiedu shouldn’t have the opportunity to make the character his own.
I genuinely hope he delivers something special, because there’s absolutely no reason why we can’t appreciate two different interpretations of the same character. Beyond the casting, though, there’s something else I’m particularly excited about.
Finally seeing more of the stories and characters that the movies couldn’t fully explore. Take Ginny Weasley, for example. Even as someone who hasn’t read the books, I’m well aware of how much more prominent, confident and developed Ginny is in the original novels.
Unfortunately, I feel the movies dropped the ball with her character. We never truly got to see her personality shine through, and considering her importance to Harry’s story, that’s a real shame. I’m hoping the television series can finally do her character justice.
That excitement extends to so many other aspects of the Wizarding World. The smaller storylines, the additional characters, the relationships, the mysteries and all those little details that book readers have loved for years but movie audiences never had the opportunity to experience.
For someone like me, that could make this adaptation feel like an entirely new Harry Potter experience. And honestly, that’s a pretty exciting prospect.
There’s also something quite special about the idea of experiencing that magic for the first time all over again. Imagine seeing Hogwarts for the first time again. The castle, the classrooms, the spells and the incredible world that captured the imaginations of millions. Everything will feel new, yet at the same time, there will be that wonderful sense of familiarity.
And I think that’s what makes this adaptation so exciting. It’s an opportunity to rediscover a world we already love, while experiencing stories and moments that we’ve never seen brought to life before.
There is absolutely a world where both the series and the movies can coexist, and that’s perfectly okay.
Every October, my wife and I watch the Harry Potter movies together. It’s become a tradition in our household, something we look forward to every single year, and something that will never change.
Even if HBO’s series somehow manages to surpass the movies in every conceivable way, I’ll still be sitting down every October to watch Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson bring Harry, Ron and Hermione to life.
Because those movies are special. They’re iconic, they’re incredible, and they’ve given us memories that no television adaptation could ever replace. And that’s exactly why I’m excited for this series. Not because I want it to replace the Harry Potter I grew up loving, but because I’m ready to experience the magic all over again.
After all, there’s always room for a little more magic in the Wizarding World.
