With the TV series Harry Potter coming out, people are already drawing comparisons to the existing movies and J.K. Rowling’s books. Even the first trailer for the HBO show, a new take on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, has sparked lots of discussion about how it stacks up against previous versions.
A major advantage of revisiting the wizarding world on TV is the opportunity to refine how certain characters are portrayed. With time and a fresh perspective, the series could even create versions of beloved characters that are even more compelling than those in the original books.
Beyond addressing other issues with the Harry Potter universe, the new HBO series has a chance to improve characters who weren’t well-portrayed in the films, or who were weak in the original books. In some cases, reimagining these characters on screen isn’t just a good idea – it’s essential.
As a fan, I’m really excited about this new TV series because it has the chance to give ten magical characters the stories they deserve. From what I’ve heard about HBO’s Harry Potter adaptation so far, they’re already working to build out those characters and give them more satisfying journeys.
10. Lavender Brown
The Harry Potter films didn’t do Lavender Brown justice. They didn’t establish her as an important friend of Harry and his Gryffindor classmates until the sixth movie, The Half-Blood Prince. And even then, her portrayal felt like an exaggerated and inaccurate version of the character from the books.
In the films, Lavender is often portrayed as an annoying girlfriend who constantly uses a childish voice, and audiences quickly tire of her. It doesn’t help that she appears suddenly without much introduction. Thankfully, HBO has acknowledged this and plans to address it in the series by giving her a proper introduction.
9. Firenze The Centaur
The new Harry Potter TV series has a chance to give the centaur Firenze a more substantial role. He was largely absent from the later films after a brief appearance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The series can explore his character further, especially since he becomes the Divination professor during Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts.
This part of the story leads to a dangerous fight between Firenze and the other centaurs in the Forbidden Forest, and he barely survives. The movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix completely left out this storyline because they didn’t have enough time.
8. Rita Skeeter
Rita Skeeter is a memorable villain from the Harry Potter series who could easily steal the show whenever she appears. It’s disappointing that she isn’t featured more prominently in the movies. She’s only shown briefly in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and her interview with Harry during the Triwizard Tournament isn’t as humorous in the film as it is in the book.
The show doesn’t explore Rita Skeeter’s story enough, which is a shame because she’s a great rival to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, especially in the later books. Rita Skeeter is one of J.K. Rowling’s most humorous creations and deserves more screen time in the upcoming series.
7. Percy Weasley
Percy Weasley’s role was significantly reduced in the Harry Potter movies, though he does appear in The Order of the Phoenix. In the books, his change from a proud but likable student leader to a cold and calculating Ministry official is one of the most compelling and well-developed character arcs.
Although the films didn’t focus on this storyline, the HBO series can now delve into it properly. This development in Percy’s character is significant because it shows the Weasleys aren’t perfect, adding depth to a family that’s often portrayed as flawless in the books.
6. Professor Trelawney
Professor Trelawney’s initial prophecy in Harry Potter is a crucial moment that sets the entire story in motion and hints at how it will eventually end. Despite this important role, the movies didn’t fully explore her character, and she deserves more attention than she received.
Emma Thompson’s portrayal of Professor Trelawney was excellent, perfectly capturing her quirky and unusual personality, making her a standout character in the Harry Potter films. However, the movies didn’t feature her enough, and her departure from Hogwarts in The Order of the Phoenix felt rushed and unsatisfying.
5. Cho Chang
Cho Chang, more than any other character in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, deserves a fairer portrayal. Actress Katie Leung, who played Cho in the fourth and fifth films, experienced racist bullying related to her role, and this likely stemmed from the character’s name and how Rowling wrote her.
The names “Chang” and “Cho” might unintentionally evoke a derogatory slur used against people of East Asian descent, as “Chang” is a typical Chinese surname and “Cho” means “autumn” in Mandarin. Furthermore, the character Cho is portrayed negatively throughout the second half of The Order of the Phoenix.
Both the book and the movie strongly encourage viewers to sympathize with Harry over Cho. While it’s unlikely the show will drastically change her character, the HBO Harry Potter series has an opportunity to show Cho in a more favorable light, offering a fairer depiction of their breakup and her reaction to what she perceived as a betrayal by Dumbledore’s Army.
4. Remus Lupin
Remus Lupin is a key character in the Harry Potter series, but his role is significantly reduced in the films after he’s first introduced in The Prisoner of Azkaban. As a close friend of James Potter, Lupin becomes a sort of protector for Harry, particularly after Sirius Black’s death in The Order of the Phoenix.
The movies leave out most of Lupin’s story from the Harry Potter books, so viewers mainly know him as the werewolf who helped Harry, Ron, and Hermione meet Sirius Black in the third film. His character is actually very complex and ultimately heartbreaking, and the TV series needs to show all of those important details.
3. Ginny Weasley
I’ve always felt the movies didn’t quite do Ginny Weasley justice, even from her very first scene at Platform Nine and Three Quarters. In the books, it’s clear she had a crush on Harry right away, but the movies just didn’t show that initial spark – it felt like a big part of her character was missing from that first meeting.
The films also skip over Ginny’s growth into the strong and brave witch Harry falls for in The Half-Blood Prince. The on-screen development of their early romance feels flat and doesn’t make their connection very believable or engaging. It’s likely the HBO series, with Gracie Cochrane as Ginny, will portray their relationship more effectively.
2. Hermione Granger
It’s hard to fault either the movie or book version of Hermione Granger, as both are incredibly memorable. Emma Watson’s portrayal is a highlight of the Harry Potter films, and the character in the books often feels like a reflection of J.K. Rowling herself within the story.
The movies don’t fully capture Hermione’s character. They leave out important parts, like her genuine care for house-elves and some of her less appealing qualities that were toned down after the first film. Even in the books, Hermione could be a more well-rounded character by showing more of her weaknesses and struggles alongside her strengths and achievements.
The new HBO series has the potential to offer the most compelling portrayal of the character we’ve seen so far. Arabella Stanton, who will be playing the character previously known from Harry Potter, is a talented actor who could really bring depth and nuance to the role on television.
1. Lord Voldemort
So far, the biggest role yet to be filled for HBO’s Harry Potter series is Lord Voldemort. Paul Bettany has addressed speculation that he’s been cast as the character, confirming he hasn’t been contacted by the show’s team. It seems no actor has been approached for the part at this time.
The show absolutely needs to nail the casting for this role, alongside the visual effects used to bring the new version of Voldemort to life. While Ralph Fiennes did a good job, the character didn’t quite come across as menacing as he should have been.
Beyond how Voldemort looks on screen, the movie versions haven’t fully developed his character, leaving him less complex and believable than in the books. For HBO’s new Harry Potter series to be a success, it needs to deliver a more fully realized and compelling Lord Voldemort.
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2026-05-13 21:51