The new Harry Potter series trailer gives fans a closer look at how the upcoming HBO adaptation will bring J.K. Rowling’s books to the screen. The series was announced as an adaptation that would remain faithful to the original stories while adding a “degree of depth and detail” that fans had not seen before. The latest teaser appears to follow that idea by including scenes that were not part of the original movies and giving more attention to moments from the books.
One of the most interesting scenes features Hermione Granger on the Hogwarts Express before she meets Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. She is already wearing her Hogwarts robes and looks nervous as she walks through the train. Since she has never met witches and wizards before, her hesitation is understandable. Hermione then approaches Lavender Brown and Hannah Abbott and asks them, “Did you love the summer reading?” The moment gives viewers a different look at Hermione before she becomes more confident at Hogwarts.
The trailer also introduces The Burrow, the Weasley family home, earlier in the story. In the scene, Ron receives his first Hogwarts letter, but Fred and George quickly turn the moment into a funny family incident. Ketchup from their sandwiches splatters across the letter. The footage also shows Percy Weasley receiving his prefect badge, with Mrs Weasley watching proudly.
The Sorting Ceremony is another important part of the teaser. Professor McGonagall leads the first year students into the Great Hall as they prepare to find out which Hogwarts house they will join. Lavender Brown adds some nervous humour by telling her classmates, “no pressure”. The Sorting Hat also appears to follow the description from the Philosopher’s Stone book: “A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth.”
Another detail that has caught the attention of book fans is a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher sitting at the teachers’ table during Harry’s Sorting Ceremony. The scene could be an important clue about how the series plans to introduce its characters.
The series is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes. HBO is producing the series in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television.
J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley Letts and David Heyman are also executive producers. With more episodes available to explore the original story, the series is expected to include more characters, scenes and details from the books than the earlier film adaptation.