Television network HBO has unveiled the official poster for the upcoming television series based on J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books. The central image features the young wizard played by Dominic McLaughlin, focusing on his round glasses and the iconic lightning-bolt scar on his forehead. One of the lenses reflects Hogwarts Castle, accompanied by the inscription 'The Boy Who Lived'. The frame is completed by a golden project logo featuring the letters HP. The poster also confirms the premiere date: the series will debut on Christmas, December 25, on HBO and HBO Max.
What is depicted on the poster and the message it conveys
The visual focus of the poster is placed on the recognizable details of the protagonist's appearance — round glasses and the lightning-bolt scar, which have become the visual code of the franchise. The reflection of Hogwarts in the lens and the phrase 'The Boy Who Lived' reference the core theme of the first book and emphasize that the series starts from the exact same plot point as the original novel. The golden logo with the HP abbreviation frames the shot in the project's signature style.
Premiere date and format of the first season
According to HBO, the series will premiere on December 25 on the HBO and HBO Max platforms. The first season, titled 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone', consists of eight episodes and retells the events of the first book. The plot revolves around the moment when Harry, having received a letter from Hogwarts, begins to discover the world of magic, makes friends, and plunges into adventures and dangers.
Cast: From young wizards to adult characters
The role of Harry Potter is played by Dominic McLaughlin. His friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger will be portrayed by Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton, respectively. The adult cast features John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. According to reports from RBC and Tengrinews, Kit Harington, known for 'Game of Thrones', has also joined the project, replacing Nicholas Hoult in the cast.
Project team and promotional campaign timeline
Francesca Gardiner serves as the showrunner and writer for the series. The directors include Mark Mylod, Jessica Hobbs, Lucy Forbes, and Benjamin Caron. The promotional campaign gained momentum gradually: the first trailer was released in March 2026 (according to Obozrevatel, on March 25), after which HBO released a new video featuring scenes with Snape, the Sorting Hat, and Quidditch. Audience interest was noticeable even before full-scale promos: the first teaser garnered about 15 million views, and the second about 11 million.
Renewal for a second season
In May 2026, HBO announced the renewal of the series for a second season. The continuation will be based on the novel 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'. Thus, by the time the first season premieres on Christmas 2026, the project already has a confirmed development plan for the following year, indicating high expectations from the network for the adaptation.
