Harry Potter TV series confirms earlier release date with first look trailer and new cast imagery
Step aside Daniel Radcliffe, there's a new Harry in town.
A first-look trailer for the all new Harry Potter TV series has just dropped, and it's confirmed that the highly-anticipated show will drop earlier than expected.
The new TV adaptation is set to arrive this Christmas, earlier than the original "early 2027" window that had previously been reported.
A first-look trailer shows the very beginnings of Harry's story, from being mistreated by his relatives, the Dursleys, to meeting half-giant Hagrid (now played by Nick Frost) and arriving at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
It also hints at previously unseen parts of Harry's story, including showing him at a muggle school.
You can watch the trailer below:
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as YouTube may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow YouTube and its required purposes.
New imagery of the cast has also been unveiled.
A HBO series was announced back in 2023 and last year the cast was confirmed along with first-look images of them in costume, including of Dominic McLaughlin who is playing the titular role of Harry.
At the start of this year, the show was then given a confirmed release schedule of early 2027 before a first-look photo of McLaughlin on set was shared earlier this week.
The photo, shared on The official Harry Potter social media account, shows the Boy Wizard clad in red robes, headed towards the Hogwarts quidditch pitch with his broomstick in hand.
Gryffindor and Hufflepuff banners can be seen hanging in front of him (along with a poster emblazoned with the names of Ron Weasley's twin brothers, Fred and George), with snow lightly falling on the Hogwarts grounds.
McLaughlin was seen in the Sky Original comedy Grow, whilst Stanton is known for having previously starred in the West End production of Matilda, as well as the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of Starlight Express.
The new Harry Potter series will be the first proper acting credit for Stout who has only been seen in TV advertisements so far.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall.
Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “born in the wrong body”.
In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to “individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights”.
Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received.
The Harry Potter TV series will premiere this Christmas on HBO Max.
Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
