Originally slated to air in 2027, HBO’s Harry Potter series will debut a little earlier than expected, at the tail-end of 2026. The show’s teaser trailer gave us our first official look at the world of Hogwarts, and once again, it serves as a stark reminder of why JK Rowling’s iconic series is here to stay.
Originally published in 1997 before getting its movie adaptation in 2001, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was a transformative work that I’m willing to bet served as the formative book for most millennials. Here was a truly wondrous story that depicted a magical world with such delicious and delightfully imaginative language with a strong message: that anyone could be destined for greatness, no matter how ordinary their lives may seem.
Since then, Harry Potter has spawned a feverish fan base, theme parks, gift shops, a play, and even a wildly successful triple-A video game. Even if I happen to think said video game is woefully uninspired and merely a shade of the IP it’s based on. The narrative around the IP has changed as well, with author JK Rowling openly making anti-trans statements, alienating her fans and movie cast members in the process.
Truly, Rowling is one of the most despicable public figures we’ve seen in our time and her vile comments often leave me wondering how such a miserably close-minded person ever managed to write something as incredible and kind as Harry Potter — a series that has served as a source of comfort for many marginalized groups. There will always be a place for you at Hogwarts after all, no matter your background or sexual orientation. At least, that’s always been the takeaway.
While the narrative against Rowling has shifted, that certainly hasn’t stopped Harry Potter from making her literal piles of money. The branding and merchandising of the IP will never stop being a cash cow for her, anti-trans views be damned. And it certainly hasn’t stopped HBO from acquiring the rights to the IP and making a whole television series based on the original books.
Despite my initial skepticism and desire to boycott everything Rowling has her hands on, however, it was difficult to resist the allure of Hogwarts once again when we finally got a proper look at the show.
HBO has clearly managed to recapture the essence of what made Harry Potter so enticing in 1997; from the gorgeous lecture hall-style classrooms to the grand, sweeping towers of Hogwarts castle, I’d almost felt like I had been transported back to the early 2000s when Harry Potter mania was approaching its peak.
There’s something oddly refreshing about seeing the new child actors embrace their new roles too, as I was quickly reminded of the pure, wholesome friendship that Harry, Ron, and Hermione shared. The excitement at unwrapping the Nimbus 2000, the trio goofing off on the Hogwarts Express, the back shot of Harry in his Seeker uniform, walking up to the Quidditch pitch… Harry Potter meant a great deal to the youths of my generation, and I have no doubt that this first season of HBO’s show will usher in yet another new generation of wide-eyed children waiting to be entranced by the world of magic and Muggles.
As a longtime fan, I’ll have my eye on this reboot as well, even as I’m aware that things won’t be quite the same this time around. At some point, separating the art from the artist becomes too tall a feat for one to achieve, and I believe this is now the case with Rowling and Harry Potter.
I’ll enjoy my magic, knowing full well that my entertainment comes at the expense of my better moral judgment. And that’s a hard thing to live with.
