‘Harry Potter’ TV Show Debuts First Trailer

It’s Harry Potter … but different.

With no new books planned and the Fantastic Beasts movies losing steam, Warner Bros. decided to try something new with Harry Potter: a television series. They’re rebooting the entire story for HBO, adapting each book into a full season with a brand new cast.

The first trailer for the new Harry Potter TV show feels very similar to the original movies. It follows the same story, but features a new cast, including Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter. One major difference is the title: the show is using J.K. Rowling’s original title, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. When the book was first released in the U.S., the publisher, Scholastic, changed the title to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, believing American children wouldn’t understand the word ‘philosopher’ or be interested in a ‘philosopher’s stone.’ The first Harry Potter movie in the U.S. also used this altered title, as that’s what American audiences were familiar with.

Watch the full trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone below:

HBO just dropped a ton of brand new stills from the show alongside the first trailer, and let me tell you, they’re giving us a lot to unpack. I’ve been scrolling through them, and honestly, the visual storytelling is already grabbing my attention.

And here is the new series’ official synopsis:

Harry Potter’s Aunt Petunia always insists he’s perfectly ordinary. But on his eleventh birthday, Harry receives a letter inviting him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, revealing a magical world full of fun, friends, and enchantment. This new life also brings danger, as Harry must confront a threat from his past.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will debut on HBO and HBO Max on Christmas of this year.

10 TV Shows About “Young” Versions of Iconic Adult Characters

Muppet Babies (1984-1991)

The Muppets are already lovable with their big eyes and silly personalities, but Muppet Babies takes the cuteness to a whole new level. This animated series, which ran for eight seasons, shows the Muppets as toddlers, letting a new generation connect with these familiar characters. It’s a clever concept – introducing kids to the Muppets by showing them what the characters were like as little ones. The idea actually originated in a dream sequence in The Muppets Take Manhattan, and the show quickly followed the movie’s release. Disney Jr. later revived the series with a fresh look in 2018.

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992-1996)

The idea of a young Indiana Jones first appeared in the beginning of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, with River Phoenix portraying the teenage version of the character. Later, in 1992, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles premiered, an adventure series meant to be educational. It featured two young actors, Sean Patrick Flanery and Corey Carrier, playing Indy at different ages. However, the show wasn’t very popular with viewers, who preferred seeing the adult Indiana Jones on adventures. It was canceled because of low ratings and high production costs, as episodes were filmed in various locations around the globe.

Young Hercules (1998-1999)

Before becoming a spacefaring actor and a frequent guest on Saturday Night Live, Ryan Gosling starred as a young version of the Greek hero Hercules in the series Young Hercules. This show was a spin-off of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and depicted Hercules as a teenager training at an academy to become a warrior, alongside other young heroes and villains, guided by his mentor, Cheiron. Though it ran for 50 episodes, Young Hercules only lasted one season. (Interestingly, another spin-off focusing on a different warrior princess proved much more successful.)

Smallville (2001-2011)

Perhaps the most well-known show about a young version of a famous character is Smallville, a superhero story disguised as a typical high school drama. The creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, famously decided against capes and flying, keeping the action realistic. Smallville focused on the everyday challenges of high school life, with the occasional supervillain threatening the world. This version of Clark Kent doesn’t become Superman—instead, it follows young Kal-El as he discovers his identity, learns who to trust, and figures out his future.

Clone High (2002-2024)

This idea might be a bit of a stretch, but let us explain. Early in their careers, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller came up with a funny animated sitcom called Clone High. The show imagined a high school filled with teenage clones of famous historical figures – Joan of Arc in English class with Abraham Lincoln, Cleopatra eating lunch with JFK and Gandhi, and so on. It was a hilarious parody of teen dramas like Degrassi and Dawson’s Creek that didn’t exactly offer history lessons, but it was definitely entertaining.

Bates Motel (2013-2017)

Ever wondered what made Norman Bates the way he was in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho? If so, you might have already seen Bates Motel, the prequel series that tells the story of a young Norman and his mother, Norma, as they run a motel and, unfortunately, murder people. While it’s a prequel to the movie, the show is set in modern times—likely to save money on production—which creates an immediate sense of disorientation. Bates Motel was a hit, lasting five seasons, and the final season roughly follows the plot of Psycho, featuring Vera Farmiga as Norma and, yes, even that famous shower scene.

The Carrie Diaries (2013-2014)

If you enjoyed And Just Like That… and were curious about other Sex and the City related shows, you might remember The Carrie Diaries. This prequel series followed a teenage Carrie Bradshaw (played by AnnaSophia Robb) as she navigated life in 1980s New York City, working at a law office and a magazine. In its second season, the show introduced a young Samantha, and the creator, Amy B. Harris, later shared that they had planned to introduce a young Miranda if the show hadn’t been cancelled. It makes you wonder how long it would have taken for all the girls to meet young Charlotte!

Gotham (2014-2019)

As WB was creating Smallville, executives also considered a prequel series about a young Bruce Wayne, detailing his life before becoming Batman. These plans were delayed until 2014, when Fox launched Gotham during a trend of darker superhero shows. While a young Bruce Wayne appears, the series primarily focuses on James Gordon, a detective who will later become police commissioner and Batman’s ally, and the early days of iconic Batman villains like the Joker and the Penguin. The show explores how these villains and various mob bosses vied for control of Gotham City.

Young Sheldon (2017-2024)

When CBS announced a spinoff of the popular sitcom The Big Bang Theory, focusing on a younger version of one of its characters, it seemed like a risky move. But Young Sheldon unexpectedly became a huge success, running for seven seasons. The show follows nine-year-old Sheldon Cooper as he navigates the challenges of high school and college, showcasing his academic brilliance alongside his difficulties in forming friendships because of his unique personality and interests. While we know Sheldon eventually does well, fans had to wait nearly two seasons to hear his famous catchphrase.

Young Sherlock (2026- )

Although a third Sherlock Holmes film is currently on hold, director Guy Ritchie is working on the series Young Sherlock. As the title suggests, the show follows a young Sherlock Holmes during his time at Oxford University. He quickly becomes embroiled in a murder mystery that puts both his future and his new friendship with classmate James Moriarty – who will later become his enemy – at risk. The series is based on the Young Sherlock Holmes books by Andrew Lane, originally published in the 2010s, and officially approved by the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle. It reveals details about Holmes’ early life and introduces his unusual family.

2026-03-25 22:57