First Harry Potter Trailer Reveals Release Date & Full Cast Debut

HBO solemnly swears it is up to some good.

The first trailer for the new Harry Potter TV series was released on March 25th, and it announced the show will premiere during the Christmas season of 2026. The trailer also introduced viewers to the actors playing the main characters: Dominic Laughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

Aunt Petunia (Bel Powley) tries to make Harry feel ordinary, telling him to act like a normal boy as she cuts his hair and confines him to the cupboard under the stairs. She insists he’s not special, saying, “You think you’re something special? There is nothing special about you.”

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always said it’s amazing how a single piece of mail can change everything! That’s definitely true for Harry when he gets his acceptance letter to Hogwarts. It’s the start of a wild ride where he meets incredible people like Hagrid, Hermione, and Ron, and slowly realizes just how extraordinary he really is. It’s a beautiful story about self-discovery!

As Harry receives his first wand, wandmaker Garrick Ollivander says, “I have a feeling you’re going to do wonderful things. Now, let’s see what you’re capable of.”

The trailer briefly showed some key characters from the Wizarding World, including John Lithgow as the new Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.

Before the first look at the new TV series was released, Daniel Radcliffe, the original actor who played the Boy Who Lived, asked fans not to compare the new cast to himself and his former costars, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

In a February interview with ScreenRant, Daniel explained that after the young actors were cast, there was a lot of online discussion about protecting them. He added that one way people could actually help is to stop constantly asking about him, Emma, and Rupert.

He stressed that they shouldn’t become distant or unsettling figures in their children’s lives, and instead allow them to move forward, recognizing that this is a new chapter and will be different from what came before.

He stressed that they shouldn’t become distant or unsettling figures in their children’s lives, and instead allow them to move forward and embrace this new chapter, as things are going to be different now.

The lead actor from The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins believes the next actor to play Harry Potter will give a better performance than his own in the films based on J.K. Rowling’s books.

He believes Dominic will surpass his own achievements. Reflecting on his past work, he feels more forgiving and less ashamed, realizing he was still developing his skills and learning the ropes at the time.

To learn more about the cast of HBO’s Harry Potter TV series, keep reading…

In July 2025, actor Anton Lesser, known for his role in Game of Thrones, will become the new Garrick Ollivander, the wandmaker, taking over from the beloved John Hurt, who sadly passed away.

Rory Wilmot will be taking on the role of Neville Longbottom, a popular character from the Gryffindor house, previously portrayed by Matthew Lewis.

Louise Brealey, a British actress known for her work in shows like Sherlock, A Discovery of Witches, and Such Brave Girls, is taking over the role of Madam Rolanda Hooch – the Quidditch instructor – from Zoe Wanamaker.

Newcomer Amos Kitson will take on the role of Harry’s cousin, Dudley. Harry Melling previously played the younger version of Dudley in the original films.

Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will be taking on the iconic roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. They are succeeding Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who famously played the characters in the Harry Potter films from 2000 to 2010.

Executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said they were thrilled with the three actors they’ve cast, and excited for audiences to see them together. They also expressed gratitude to the many children who auditioned, noting the incredible amount of young talent they discovered during the process.

Up-and-coming actor Lox Pratt will be taking on the role of Slytherin, following Tom Felton’s departure. Felton is moving to Broadway to play the adult Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.

HBO revealed in June 2025 that Johnny Flynn, known for his role in Ripley, will be playing Lucius Malfoy. Jason Isaacs, who previously played Lucius in the Harry Potter films, shared his congratulations on Instagram, writing that he was “thrilled to be passing the keys to Malfoy Manor” to the “monstrously talented” Flynn.

Katherine Parkinson, known for her BAFTA-winning role in the British comedy The IT Crowd, will play Mrs. Weasley in the upcoming TV series. She takes over the role previously held by Julie Walters, who starred in Mamma Mia!

In March 2025, Variety announced that comedian Nick Frost was in talks to take on the role of Hagrid, the half-giant from the Harry Potter series. Frost is well-known for his comedic partnerships with Simon Pegg in films like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. The role of Hagrid was originally played by Robbie Coltrane, who passed away in 2022.

Reports surfaced in December 2024 that Paapa Essiedu, a British actor known for his Emmy nomination and role in the HBO series I May Destroy You, is being considered to play Professor Snape. The role was famously played by the late Alan Rickman in the Harry Potter films.

John Lithgow, a highly respected actor, will play the role of Professor Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO series. He’s known for his work in shows like Conclave, Dexter, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and The Crown. Lithgow has also received numerous accolades throughout his career, including six Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two Tony Awards, and two Academy Award nominations.

John Lithgow admitted making the decision to take the role wasn’t simple. He told ScreenRant in February 2025 that he worried it would be how people remembered him for the rest of his life, but he was ultimately thrilled to accept. He joked that he’d be around 87 years old when filming finished, but he’d said yes anyway.

Dumbledore was previously played by the late Richard Harris and then by Michael Gambon.

Daniel Rigby, a BAFTA-winning actor, is taking on the role of Harry Potter’s Uncle Vernon in the HBO Max series. He shared on Instagram that he’s excited to play what he calls ‘the world’s worst muggle.’ The part was famously played by Richard Griffiths, who passed away in 2013.

Bel Powley, a British actress known for her roles in shows like The Morning Show, A Small Light, and Masters of the Air, will be playing Aunt Petunia, a role previously held by Fiona Shaw.

Oh my goodness, you guys, Janet McTeer is going to be Professor McGonagall! I’m seriously freaking out! She’s amazing – you might recognize her from Ozark, Jessica Jones, or Sorry for Your Loss. It’s such a big role, of course, because Dame Maggie Smith was McGonagall in the movies, and she was absolutely iconic. But I have a feeling Janet is going to absolutely nail it. I can’t wait!

HBO revealed in April 2025 that Paul Whitehouse, a highly-awarded British comedian, will be playing the role of Hogwarts caretaker Filch. David Bradley previously played Filch in the Harry Potter films. Interestingly, Whitehouse actually appeared in one of the films before – he played Sir Cadogan, a talking portrait, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Three young actors will play the parts of Harry’s classmates, Seamus Finnigan, Parvati Patil, and Lavender Brown. Previously, Devon Murray, Shefali Chowdhury, and Jessie Cave played those roles.

Bertie Carvel, a Tony Award-winning actor, is set to play the Minister of Magic, it was announced in June 2025. The role was previously played by Robert Hardy, who passed away in 2017, in the Harry Potter films.

Luke Thallon, a theater actor and potentially the newest cast member least familiar to audiences, will play Harry’s first Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Ian Hart previously played Quirrell, a memorable character in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

2026-03-25 23:48

Read More