HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series Trailer Teases First Look At Nick Frost, John Lithgow, and More At Hogwarts

Published March 25, 2026, 4:07 p.m. ET

“Happy Christmas, Harry!” – HBO Max

The streamer dropped the trailer for its upcoming Harry Potter series, while also revealing that the show will begin streaming on Christmas Day, days earlier than its original estimated 2027 release date. The new trailer arrives a day after a first-look image was unveiled of Dominic McLaughlin as the Boy Who Lived.

Harry Potter Season 1 tackles The Philosopher’s Stone (or The Sorcerer’s Stone), the first book in J.K. Rowling‘s bestselling book series which was adapted into the first Harry Potter film in 2001. Thus, the following logline won’t be too much of a surprise for Harry Potter fans:

“There is nothing special about Harry Potter – at least that’s what his Aunt Petunia always says. On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic. But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past.”

The trailer opens with Harry Potter (McLaughlin) being ridiculed by his Aunt Petunia (Bel Powley), getting thrown into the cupboard under the stairs, and running away from bullies at school. However, things turn around for Harry after he receives his Hogwarts acceptance letter, and meets Hagrid (Nick Frost), who also tells him that his late parents were “the kindest and bravest” people he had ever met.

Photo: YouTube/ @HBO Max

In the trailer, we also see Harry aboard the Hogwarts Express, sitting with Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout) and Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton). Others teased in the trailer include Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone drops on HBO Max on Christmas 2026. Check out the trailer above.