Image via HBO
Published Mar 25, 2026, 6:40 PM EDT
In over three years at Collider, senior author Jake has now penned over 2500 articles covering a wide range of TV and film for the resources, lists, utilities, news, and interview teams. Alongside interviewing stars such as Selin Hizli, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Harlan Coben, and Chelsea Peretti, Jake was lucky enough to visit the set of Aardman and Netflix's Wallace and Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl in 2024, getting the chance to chat with four-time Academy Award winner Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. Jake has also worked for other publications, including Agents of Fandom.
Following many unofficial set images and leaks, we finally got our first official glimpse at the new HBO adaptation of all seven of the Harry Potter novels this week. Showcasing Dominic McLaughlin's titular Boy Who Lived in his Quidditch robes, clutching his Nimbus 2000 and about to enter the pitch, the image oozes quality and is a far cry from the cozy vibes of the first movie. On first impressions alone, fans are particularly impressed, illustrated by social media's ability to leave the overwhelming controversy alone for a short while following the image's release.
As a huge risk for HBO, given the vast amounts of funding they are pouring into this series, these early impressions are vital in helping dust off the nostalgia and encouraging millions of fans to look forward to a more thorough Harry Potter adaptation. Of course, the Wizard World brand is still as popular as it was in the late 2000s/early 2010s, and HBO will be hoping to capitalize on this popularity. This is something HBO Max exec Sarah Aubrey discussed ina recent interview ahead of the brand-new trailer, as she admitted the streamer "made such a big commitment to this show," adding that it was a "financial investment we normally wouldn’t make."
"It’s just very special working on something that means that much. There’s a lot of pressure, but it’s also very, very special," Aubrey added, before delivering a tantalizing endorsement of the series. "The world that has been created is absolutely extraordinary," she confirmed, adding, "The journey with these incredible books continues and I’m so excited for all of you to see it and be a part of it."
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Who Is Starring in 'Harry Potter'?
The original Harry Potter cast from the movies is simply iconic, so this upcoming adaptation certainly has a lot to live up to. Joining McLaughlin in the lead ensemble are Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, alongside John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. Recently, a new batch of cast was added, including Orson Matthews as Oliver Wood, Asha Soetan as Angelina Johnson, Eire Farrell as Katie Bell, D’Angelou Osei-Kissiedu as Graham Montague, Dylan Heath as Adrian Pucey, Cornelius Brandreth as Terence Higgs, and many more.
You can watch the recently released trailer for the anticipated new series above. For more updates on the Harry Potter series, stay tuned to Collider.
Showrunner Francisca Gardiner
Directors Mark Mylod
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Dominic McLaughlin
Harry Potter
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English (US) ·