Ring the alarm! HBO Max has finally released a trailer for its upcoming Harry Potter series – but it's left loyal viewers divided.
The new series reimagines the iconic wizarding franchise that first hit screens between 2001 and 2011, with new cast members including John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu and Nick Frost bringing the beloved characters back to life.
© HBOAs well as treating fans to a first look at the series, the streamer also announced a release date of Christmas 2026, rather than the previously expected 2027.
"A new era of Hogwarts begins. The HBO Original Series Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres this Christmas. #HarryPotterHBO," the caption read.
What happens in the trailer?
The video opens at the Dursleys' home, where Harry is told by his Aunt Petunia: "I told you, you are a normal boy and you're going to start acting like one."
What follows is a series of clips showing Harry being bullied at Muggle school, shut in the famous cupboard under the stairs and having his hair cut by his aunt. "You think you're special? There is nothing special about you," she sneers.
© HBOEverything changes, however, when Harry receives his Hogwarts letter. A montage follows, with Harry meeting Hagrid, being sorted by the Sorting Hat and embarking on his first Quidditch match.
The trailer ends with a dose of nostalgia as Harry, Ron and Hermione sit on the Hogwarts Express. "Are you really Harry Potter?" Ron asks, to which Harry nods, prompting Ron to mime a 'mind-blown' reaction.
What are fans saying about the new trailer?
After the clip landed on Instagram, fans were quick to share their thoughts – and many of them had conflicting views.
"I'm fighting back tears. I'm so excited," said one person, while another said: "THIS IS ABOUT TO CHANGE LIVES!!! Again!!!" A third added: "I'm CRYINGGG this is soooo good! I CANNOT WAIT."
© HBOHowever, some viewers couldn't seem to get on board with the reimagining, with many sharing their doubt of the casting of characters like Hagrid and Snape. "It feels like seeing new people living in your old home," wrote one viewer, while another penned: "It's so weird seeing other actors play McGonagall, Hagrid, Malfoy etc. The original movies are still so fresh in my mind."
Meanwhile, a third said: "I've never had so many mixed feelings from a trailer before," while a fourth added: "I'm gonna have to watch but the originals are just too special."
What to expect from the Harry Potter series
The series is set to follow the book franchise penned by JK Rowling, who also serves as an executive producer. While it tells the same story, it promises a fresh new take on the beloved world.
© HBOThe official logline reads: "There is nothing special about Harry Potter – at least that's what his Aunt Petunia always says. On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic.
"But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past."
© HBOWho stars in the Harry Potter series?
The new series sees a fresh cast step into the iconic roles, including:
- Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
- Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
- Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom
- Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
- Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
- Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas
- Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley
- Gabriel Harland as George Weasley
- Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley
- Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley
- Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil
- Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown
- Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe
- William Nash as Gregory Goyle
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick
- Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout
- Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
- Louise Brealey as Rolanda Hooch
- Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey
- Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns
- Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
- Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
- Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
- Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
- Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
- Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
- Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander
- Leigh Gill as Griphook
The series will debut Christmas 2026 on HBO and will be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Italy.
