Trailer and release date revealed for new Harry Potter TV series
It's coming this Christmas!
Last updated 6 hours ago
It's been revealed the new HBO Harry Potter TV series will drop THIS Christmas! The news was shared on Wednesday 25th March, along with the much-anticipated trailer, where we saw the new cast in action for the first time.
The TV adaption of J.K. Rowling’s beloved novel series was first announced back in April 2023, with plans to devote roughly one season to each book. Production has been underway since July 2025, with casting confirmed for Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Alastair Stout as Ron, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione, alongside industry veterans in key roles.
After principal photography wrapped the first season, HBO announced the first season would be made up of eight episodes. As we eagerly await our return to Hogwarts, here’s everything you need to know about the highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series reboot...
Is there a trailer?
Yes! On Wednesday 25th March 2026, HBO dropped the first trailer for the new Harry Potter TV series. They wrote: 'A new era of Hogwarts begins. The HBO Original Series Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone premieres this Christmas. #HarryPotterHBO.'
You can watch the trailer below...
When will the Harry Potter TV series arrive on screens?
It's now been announced the new TV adaption of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will premier 'this Christmas'. We'll bring you more details on an exact date as we get it.
Warwick Davis speaks out about the upcoming Harry Potter series
Warwick, who will reprise his role as professor Flitwick, having portrayed the character as well as Griphook the Goblin in the original film series, spoke out about the series in January 2026. Speaking to NME, Warwick said the show is "very faithful" to the book series.
"I’m working on it at the moment," he confirmed, adding: "But I can’t really tell you anything other than we’re retelling those wonderful stories but with more depth and detail than has been seen before. They’re very faithful adaptations of the book.
"We’re obviously telling the same story so there are similar moments that we’re experiencing as actors on the set. But it’s weird being back in the same studios again, doing it all again, because Leavesden is where we shot the films."
First look at Harry Potter TV series
After years of building excitement, fans have now had the chance to see the first look at the new Harry Potter TV series. In the Instagram post by HBO, they confirmed the series was now in production, writing: 'First-years, step forward.
'The HBO Original Harry Potter series is now in production.'
Following this post, many fans left excited messages saying how perfect Dominic McLaughlin was for the role of Harry Potter (pictured above and below). One fan commented: 'Ok. Yup. He was the perfect choice 🙌', with another saying: 'Good luck little Harry. Please protect him from all the haters 🥲'.
Another fan wrote: 'Good luck little Harry. We'll be watching your career with great interest'.
It was previously revealed that Harry was to be played by Dominic McLaughlin. Dominic is a Scottish actor who recently appeared in CBBC action adventure show, Gifted and a Sky comedy film, called Grow.
A day after the first photo of Harry was revealed, HBO shared a photo of Nick Frost as Hagrid, writing: 'Nick Frost has walked his first day in the big boots of Hagrid on the set of the new HBO Original Harry Potter series.'
How was it announced?
In a tweet when the series was first announced in April 2023, HBO shared a 30-second teaser alongside the caption: 'Your Hogwarts letter is here. Max has ordered the first ever #HarryPotter scripted television series, a faithful adaptation of the iconic books. #StreamOnMax.'
Who will direct the series?
Mark Mylod and Francesca Gardiner will direct the new HBO Harry Potter series, with Francesca also taking on the role of writer.
Francesca worked on the HBO adaptation of His Dark Materials as well as Killing Eve, and Mark worked on Game of Thrones, the second season of The Last of Us and also 2022 film The Menu. Both additionally worked on lauded series Succession.
Hans Zimmer announced to write the soundtrack
One of the big questions around the series is whether it would incorporate John Williams' original soundtrack. Arguably a huge contributing factor to original fans' nostalgia of the film franchise, it's been an important point for followers — and now we know.
Legendary composer Hans Zimmer will take the baton, with the news confirmed on 15th January 2026. He wrote in a statement on Instagram: 'The musical legacy of Harry Potter is a touch point for composers everywhere and we are humbled to join such a remarkable team on a project of this magnitude.
'The responsibility is something that myself, Kara Talve and Anže Rozman do not take lightly. Magic is all around us, often just beyond reach, but as in the world of Harry Potter, you simply must look for it. With this score we hope to bring audiences that little bit closer to it whilst honoring what has come before.'
What will the plot for the TV series be?
HBO announced back in 2023: "The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years."
According to Bloomberg's previous report, the series will be made up of seven seasons to cover each of the seven books, which will apparently allow the makers to "delve further" into more detail than the eight films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as Harry Potter, Hermione Grainger and Ron Weasley.
This might come as welcome news to fans, who have often felt that certain storylines and characters were omitted from the original film series due to time limits.
Author J. K. Rowling will "be involved" in the series to ensure it "remains loyal to her original material", but it's thought she will not be a hands-on member of the team.
This isn't the first time that HBO have teamed up with the world of Harry Potter, after being responsible for the 20th anniversary Harry Potter reunion, Return to Hogwarts, released in January 2022 that saw most of the main cast return to share their memories at The Making of Harry Potter tour in Watford.
Who will be cast in the new Harry Potter TV adaption?
There had been lots of rumours circulating about who would be cast to play the iconic characters associated with the Harry Potter franchise, and now a lot of cast members have been confirmed, including Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Who will play Harry, Ron and Hermoine in the new TV series?
In early September 2024, a casting call was announced for the main roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Bosses revealed they were on the lookout for aspiring young actors from the UK and Ireland, aged 9-11.
In May 2025, three newcomers were announced for the highly sought-after roles, Dominic McLaughlin in the role of Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
Following his casting as Harry, Dominic's school, The Performance Academy, wrote: 'We are not sure that this will ever feel real but we said from the start that Dominic was the perfect Harry & we are thrilled for everyone else to see this soon too.
'Dominic, we will forever be proud of you! We have had an incredible journey with you these last 5 years at TPA and can’t wait for what’s next on this journey!'
Who else is in the cast?
John Lithgow is best known for his roles in 3rd Rock From The Sun (1996-2001), Dexter (2006-2013), The Crown (as Winston Churchill) and voicing Lord Farquaad in the Shrek movies — and now he's set to step in to the role of headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the new HBO series.
Speaking to ScreenRant in February 2025, he said: "Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid.
"But I'm very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That's why it's been such a hard decision. I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've said yes."
For other roles, the confirmed cast includes Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
Warwick Davis will also reprise his role as Professor Flitwick in the TV series, after appearing in the original movies. The news was announced on 1st September 2025, when filmmakers shared a picture on Instagram, revealing more additions to the cast. They wrote:
'We are charmed to announce the return of Warwick Davis as Professor Flitwick, and also welcome Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, William Nash as Gregory Goyle, Sirine Saba as Professor Pomona Sprout, Richard Durden as Professor Cuthbert Binns, Bríd Brennan as Madam Poppy Pomfrey, and Leigh Gill as Griphook.'
The following were also announced in June 2025:
Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil
Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown
Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
In July 2025, along with sharing the first look at Dominic as Harry Potter, HBO also shared details of some further cast announcing: 'Introducing Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.'
The following were announced in July 2025:
Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom
Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch
Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander
And more were announced in September 2025:
Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas
Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe
William Nash as Gregory Goyle
Sirine Saba as Professor Pomona Sprout
Richard Durden as Professor Cuthbert Binns
Bríd Brennan as Madam Poppy Pomfrey
Leigh Gill as Griphook
Then, in a post in March 2026 to celebrate World Book Day, HBO shared photos of the new Hogwarts pupils. You can see them below:
Scroll through to see the Harry Potter child actors then and now:
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe/Dominic McLaughlin)
Daniel Radcliffe first stepped into Harry Potter's robes in 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone at age 11 and remained the boy wizard until 2011's Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
Since then, he's enjoyed a varied career, from gothic horror The Woman in Black to offbeat indie Swiss Army Man and parody biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. The security that came from his Potter pay check allowed him lean into these quirky, often risky roles, helping him step out of the Boy Who Lived's shadow and broaden his career beyond the Ministry of Magic. His portfolio also extends to theatre, with several performances at the West End and on Broadway - even winning a Tony Award for the musical Merrily We Roll Along in 2023.
During an interview with Good Morning America, Daniel revealed he wrote a letter to his counterpart, saying: 'I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did — I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better time,' and admitted that when he sees photos of Dominic McLaughlin and the young cast, he 'just wants to hug them' because they seem so young and remind him what it was like doing it at that age.
For Dominic, being cast as the Chosen One has been nothing short of surreal. In an interview with the BBC he said: "I was always a huge Harry Potter fan when I was younger. And it was like the dream role, of course, so I'm thrilled to be able to be doing it."
Before HBO's Harry Potter, Dominic was cast in two 2025 projects including Sky family film Grow, and the BBC adaptation of Marilyn Kaye's Gifted; both of which were lined up around the time his Potter role was announced.
Of course, there have been plenty of spin-offs from the Harry Potter world, with the original films being a global sensation when they were first released through the 2000s. Fans have now seen Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them have a film trilogy, as well as the stage show Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.
We'll keep you updated with any more developments!
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