Get ready to dust off your wands and don your house robes, because the wizarding world is about to get a major makeover! Leaked set photos from the upcoming Harry Potter HBO series have given us our first glimpse of Hogwarts, and it’s nothing short of magical. But here’s where it gets controversial: while fans are buzzing with excitement, some are already questioning whether this new adaptation can truly capture the essence of J.K. Rowling’s beloved universe. Let’s dive in.
The Daily Mail recently published aerial shots of the series’ set, and Brazilian superfan Thiego Novais shared them on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “HOGWARTS ESTÁ VIVA!” (Hogwarts is alive!). The images reveal key locations like the Herbology greenhouse, where Professor Pomona Sprout (played by Sirine Saba in the series) will likely teach her magical botany lessons. Another photo showcases what appears to be the main courtyard, a bustling hub where Harry, Ron, and Hermione—now portrayed by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton—will spend much of their time. And let’s not forget the massive tree stump, almost certainly the base of the Whomping Willow, the temperamental tree that plays a pivotal role in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
These set photos are just the latest in a series of sneak peeks, and it’s clear that Hogwarts is nearly complete. But this is the part most people miss: the sheer scale of this project. Adapting Rowling’s sprawling saga—with books like The Order of the Phoenix clocking in at 870 pages—into a TV series is no small feat. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod, both Succession veterans, are tackling each book as a full season, promising a level of detail the films couldn’t achieve. Think of all the subplots, character moments, and magical nuances that were left on the cutting room floor—they’re finally getting their moment to shine.
But here’s the kicker: the casting. While the new trio has big shoes to fill, it’s the supporting roles that have fans divided. Paapa Essiedu steps into the role of Severus Snape, a character immortalized by the late Alan Rickman. John Lithgow takes on Dumbledore, following in the footsteps of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. And Nick Frost will play Hagrid, a role previously owned by Robbie Coltrane. Can these actors bring the same depth and charm to these iconic characters? Only time will tell.
Personally, I’ve got my reservations—I’ve even written about why this series could flop (check out my piece on /Film). But seeing these practical sets being built is undeniably encouraging. Scheduled to premiere in 2027, this series is a bold attempt to rebuild the franchise from the ground up. Will it succeed? That’s the million-Galleon question.
What do you think? Are you excited for this new Harry Potter series, or do you think some stories are better left untouched? Let’s debate in the comments!
