The first teaser trailer for HBO’s Harry Potter series has arrived, bringing with it new images of the Harry Potter cast in character—and a reveal of the show’s official title and release date. Read on for everything we currently know about the year’s most anticipated TV reboot.
It’s been almost a decade and a half since The Deathly Hallows Pt. IIwhich is a pretty long time to go without a reboot for a franchise as huge as Harry Potternot least in the age of rapacious IP exploitation. Yeah, sure, the Fantastic Beasts movies scratched an itch for the wannabe wizards of the world, and the triple-A video game Hogwarts Legacy provided a veritable Floo Network for millions of Potterheads. But neither holds a magically floating candle to the O.G. films, right?
So now comes an HBO Harry Potter TV series adapting the original Harry Potter novels, which is expected to be epic in length, rolling out over the course of a decade (or more).
This week HBO released the logline for the first season, which (in case you’re somehow unfamiliar with the story of this literary and cinematic mega-franchise) reads as follows:
“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.”
Aidan Monaghan/HBO
The film series made stars of Daniel RadcliffeEmma Watson and Rupert Grintand introduced a new generation of fans to beloved British and Irish character actors like Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Gary OldmanRobbie Coltrane, and Imelda Staunton. HBO’s Harry Potter has become the hottest casting target for British talent this side of Game of Throneseven if enthusiasm for the project has been dampened by Potter creator J.K. Rowling’s ongoing social-media crusade against trans rights. (HBO head Casey Bloys has described Rowling as “fairly involved” with the series’ development, while noting that her presence hasn’t put anyone off signing up, per IndieWire.)
Nevertheless, all involved have a formidable challenge on their hands. Can they live up to the beloved character portrayals that gave the movies their magic? We’ll find out when the first season—officially entitled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone—hits HBO this Christmas. In the meantime, check out the first official teaser for the HBO Harry Potter‘s first season.
