Hogwarts awakens anew – This is what the new Harry Potter series looks like
Magic recast – Harry Potter returns
A new chapter begins in the wizarding world: The magical world of Harry Potter is brought to life for a new generation – this time as a lavishly produced series adaptation by HBO. After months of speculation, the three central roles have now been officially cast: The young Scotsman Dominic McLaughlin takes on the role of Harry, while Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley complete the iconic trio. This new casting follows an international audition in which over 30,000 children auditioned – a clear sign of the immense importance of these roles.
The series will adhere closely to JK Rowling's original books. Each season will focus on one of the seven books, allowing more room for character development, supporting characters, and deeper world-building. Francesca Gardiner (of His Dark Materials fame) and director Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones) will be responsible for creative direction. Rowling herself is involved as a producer.
Whether a nostalgic look back or a curious new beginning, the new series arouses great expectations and emotional debates. For collectors and fans, this also means the beginning of a new era for Harry Potter figures and memorabilia.
The most important things at a glance
• The new main roles have officially been cast: Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Arabella Stanton (Hermione) and Alastair Stout (Ron) will take over the famous trio.
• The series is intended to faithfully depict all seven books – each season is dedicated to one volume.
• HBO is investing heavily: new sets, top-quality production and a clear focus on narrative depth.
• JK Rowling is involved as a producer – this ensures approval, but also discussions.
• Initial fan reactions range from euphoric to cautiously skeptical – especially regarding the cast.
• Collectors can look forward to new generations of figures – classics and new designs meet.
How the new Harry Potter series came about
The announcement of a new Harry Potter series made headlines – and generated emotional reactions – around the world in 2023. For many fans from the very beginning, the film series starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint is virtually untouchable. Nevertheless, HBO ventured into one of the greatest fantasy franchises of our time – with the stated goal of creating a fully faithful adaptation of all seven books.
In contrast to the films, which had to drastically shorten some storylines due to space constraints, the series aims to create more room for the depth of the characters, the world of Hogwarts, and the many supporting characters. Each season is planned to be dedicated to a book. This means the new adaptation could span a period of seven to ten years – similar to Game of Thrones or His Dark Materials .
Francesca Gardiner , who has previously worked on highly acclaimed projects such as Succession and His Dark Materials , is responsible for the creative concept. She is joined by director Mark Mylod , also known for visually sophisticated and emotionally intense series. Together, they aim to achieve a tone that is both magical and complex—while deliberately more mature and serious than previous adaptations.
Another key point is the involvement of JK Rowling herself, who serves as executive producer. This adds authenticity on the one hand, but her controversial public stance continues to provoke controversy on the other. Nevertheless, without her creative input, such a faithful realization would hardly be conceivable.
Production is once again taking place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in England. A new series infrastructure is being built there at enormous expense—the budget, according to media reports, is said to be over one billion pounds.
Everything points to this: This series wants to be more than a remake – it wants to completely recreate the magical world of Harry Potter.
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Co. – reinterpreted
HBO is opening a bold new chapter by recasting the most iconic roles in the modern fantasy world. The new series centers on three fresh talents: Dominic McLaughlin , a young Scotsman with theater experience, takes on the role of Harry Potter . His level-headed charisma and serious presence promise a quieter, more thoughtful interpretation of the boy who lived—truly in the spirit of the original book.
Alongside him, Arabella Stanton plays the clever and unflappable Hermione Granger . Known from London's West End, she brings a strong stage presence and embodies Hermione not only as an intelligent but also as an emotionally complex character. Fans can look forward to a new interpretation that's even closer to the original Hermione.
The third member of the group is Alastair Stout , who, as Ron Weasley, strikes the perfect balance between humor, insecurity, and loyalty. With his natural down-to-earth nature, he will reveal a side of Ron that has often only been hinted at in the films: the inner strength that makes him the heart of the group.
HBO has also dug deep into its talent pool for adult roles. The role of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore will be played by none other than John Lithgow , an internationally acclaimed actor who has excelled in numerous character roles. His interpretation is expected to be dignified, profound, and subtly warm—an exciting alternative to previous cinematic portrayals.
Janet McTeer , an award-winning British actress who excels in both theater and drama formats, was cast as Minerva McGonagall . Her edgy, determined performance is a perfect fit for the resolute yet just professor, who many consider the story's moral anchor.
The casting of Severus Snape is receiving particular attention: With Paapa Essiedu , known from I May Destroy You, HBO is taking a fresh look at one of the saga's most complex characters. Essiedu has already proven himself a master of nuanced roles – and is likely to bring new emotional depth to Snape.
This opens up new worlds for collectors: Classic Harry Potter characters will soon meet new interpretations – an exciting scenario for all those who want to not only see magic, but also collect it.
What the new series tells – and what it doesn’t
HBO Max's new Harry Potter series has a clear goal: a detailed, faithful adaptation of the book that takes its time to unfold J.K. Rowling's universe in all its facets. Unlike the films, which were constrained by a limited runtime, the plan is to dedicate a separate season to each of the seven books. This means more room for character development, deeper insights into the magical world, and fewer compromises on subplots and character arcs.
A good example of this is Hermione's campaign for house-elf rights or Ron's troubled family history – elements that barely appeared or only superficially in the films. Hogwarts itself – as a setting, as a symbol, as an emotional home – will also be more central to the series. Everyday school life, lessons, and subjects like Transfiguration, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts will not just be a backdrop, but an active part of the plot.
HBO also emphasizes that they want to deliberately explore the darker elements of the original book. The threat posed by Voldemort and his followers will be portrayed in a more insidious, disturbing, and political way – similar to modern thriller series. It won't be a colorful fantasy adventure, but rather a multi-layered narrative about friendship, fear, loss, and courage.
Nevertheless, humor isn't neglected: The series aims to strike a balance between dark themes and magical lightness. Characters like the Weasley twins, Luna Lovegood, and Professor Trelawney offer plenty of potential for quirky, endearing moments.
The narrative tone of the series will therefore be closely aligned with the books – but with more time, depth, and directorial freedom. Fans can look forward to seeing how the familiar fairy tale transforms into a multi-layered character drama. And those familiar with the books will finally see all the details on screen that previously existed only between the pages.
What fans say – and what they hope for
Even before a single scene had been filmed, the new Harry Potter series sparked intense debate among the fan community. Reactions ranged from enthusiastic anticipation to outright skepticism—a sign of how emotionally charged this franchise continues to be. For many, the original film series is almost sacred. The idea of seeing new faces in roles like Harry, Snape, or Hermione was initially difficult for some to fathom.
But with the official casting and the first creative decisions, the mood seems to be slowly changing. The decision to focus on young, fresh talent has been widely praised – as has the casting of renowned actors for the teacher roles. Many fans hope that this combination of fresh energy and acting depth will give the series its own profile – and not just be perceived as a "remake."
JK Rowling's involvement is being discussed more critically. While some see her creative return as a guarantee of authenticity, others express concerns due to her public controversies in recent years. HBO has emphasized that Rowling will contribute content but not directly intervene in the day-to-day running of the production. Whether this will be enough to calm critical voices remains to be seen.
A mixed picture emerges on social media: On platforms like Reddit and TikTok, younger fans in particular are open to the project—precisely because they love the books and want a more in-depth adaptation. Older fans are often more cautious, but are persuaded by the high-quality production and serious approach.
Positive reviews also prevail in the press. HBO's ambition to tell one of the greatest stories of our time in a new and respectful way is widely welcomed. Expectations are high – but that's precisely what makes the anticipation all the greater.
Two generations of figures – a collector’s dream
With the announcement of the new Harry Potter series, a completely different aspect is also coming back into focus: merchandise. The remake presents a rare opportunity for collectors – as figures, statues, and collectibles from the original series now meet a completely new generation of character interpretations.
Particularly exciting is the question of whether and how the portrayals of the characters will differ – not only in acting, but also in design. New actors often mean new costumes, different color schemes, and altered props. This is precisely what makes them so appealing to collectors: the opportunity to juxtapose iconic characters like Harry, Snape, or McGonagall in different stylistic variations.
Major brands like Funko , Noble Collection , and McFarlane Toys are expected to take advantage of the opportunity to release figures from the new series in a timely manner—ranging from classic action figures to detailed premium statues. Limited editions with alternative designs or scenic dioramas are likely to be in particularly high demand.
Anyone who already owns figures from the original films now has the opportunity to expand their collection—or deliberately divide it into two generations: "Film Classics" vs. "Series Edition." This cross-generational contrast could shape collector's cabinets and shelves in the coming years.
👉 On Harry Potter, we'll keep you updated as soon as the first products from the new series are announced or released – so you can secure your favorites in time.
Summary
Old magic in a new guise?
The return of Harry Potter as a series is far more than a simple reboot—it's a cultural experiment. Millions of fans around the world associate the original series with strong memories, emotional moments, and a visual image that has been etched into our collective memory for over two decades. A reinterpretation is therefore not only a creative balancing act, but also a risk.
But this is precisely where the opportunity lies. The episodic structure allows every character, every plot, and every magical location to finally receive the attention it deserves. Things that often fell victim to drama in the films—such as Neville's deeper character traits, Ron's inner conflict, or Hermione's social commitment—now have the opportunity to fully unfold.
The new cast brings a breath of fresh air to the universe without changing its fundamental structure. Instead of a mere copy, we experience a new perspective on familiar stories. Old fans gain new access to beloved content—and a new generation can discover Hogwarts from the perspective of their own time for the first time.
At the same time, it's clear: This series will not only entertain, but also spark discussions about diversity, creative responsibility, and the handling of iconic material. HBO seems to be aware of this responsibility—the selection of actors and the ambitions of the production certainly suggest seriousness and respect.
For collectors and fans of the Wizarding World, this means now is the perfect time to become part of this new era. The old classics remain valuable—but new figures, new interpretations, and exclusive series editions promise a fresh look on the shelf.
Can this new trip to Hogwarts rekindle the magic? The chances are good—perhaps better than ever.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What you should know about the new Harry Potter series
When does the new Harry Potter series start on HBO Max?
The official release date has not yet been confirmed, but according to current information, the series is scheduled to air in 2026. Filming is expected to begin in 2025 at Leavesden Studios near London—the same location where the original films were shot.
Who plays Harry, Hermione and Ron?
Three young talents have been cast in the lead roles: Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. All three bring fresh energy to the iconic roles and are intended to give the characters more room to develop than was possible in the films.
Who will take on the roles of Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape?
The cast of teachers has also been announced: John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. An interesting mix of established acting greats and exciting character actors.
Is JK Rowling involved in the series?
Yes, JK Rowling is involved as an executive producer. She has creative influence, but according to HBO, she is not directly involved in day-to-day production. This has caused controversy, but is seen by many as a guarantee of fidelity to the original.
What distinguishes the series from the films?
The new series will stick more closely to the books. Each season will be dedicated to a specific book, allowing for more depth and detail. Fans can look forward to scenes, character developments, and subplots that were often neglected in the film.