On 2 September 2026, HBO Max released the first trailer for its Harry Potter series, five months after the teaser in March. It follows the first novel in order: the cupboard under the stairs, the Hogwarts letter, the Hogwarts Express, the Sorting Ceremony, the first Potions lesson and the Quidditch pitch. Above all, it lets the whole cast speak, and it shows Paapa Essiedu's Severus Snape for the first time, after only his voice had been heard so far.

Harry Potter: the first trailer for the HBO series is out

Season 1 is titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, has eight episodes and arrives on HBO Max in December 2026.

What the trailer shows

It all starts at the Dursleys', in the cupboard under the stairs, with Dominic McLaughlin as Harry. Dudley pushes him around, his Aunt Petunia cuts his hair and tells him there is nothing special about him. The letter arrives anyway, and Hagrid (Nick Frost) tells him who he is and talks to him about his parents. These scenes of Muggle life were already the focus of the March teaser, and they match the structure of the first episode: the castle only appears at the very end.

The trailer then moves into Hogwarts, this time following the steps of the start of term. We see Hermione (Arabella Stanton) arriving on the Hogwarts Express, then the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall (Janet McTeer) introduces the Sorting Ceremony to the first-year students. Harry sits under the Sorting Hat, asks not to go to Slytherin and joins Gryffindor, like Ron (Alastair Stout) and Hermione. Dumbledore (John Lithgow) makes the feast appear with a gesture, on tables that fill up all at once.

Severus Snape appears at the first Potions lesson, and Paapa Essiedu brings back the character's contempt for Harry. The trailer then shows the other expected images from the novel: Hedwig, a game of wizard's chess and then its giant version, the Mirror of Erised and the Philosopher's Stone itself. The troll in the dungeon, however, is handled differently from the film.

Quidditch ends the video, with Harry as Seeker and shots of broomstick flying.

What has changed since the March teaser

The 25 March teaser became the most watched trailer in HBO's history, but its very desaturated image was criticised. The 2 September trailer is more colourful and has more contrast, and it lets us hear the voices of the cast, children and teachers included.

The difference between the two videos is partly down to a filming choice. Director of photography Adriano Goldman films the Muggle world in cold, pale tones and keeps warm tones for Hogwarts. The March teaser focused on the Muggle part of the story; this one mainly shows the castle.

The rest has been redesigned rather than taken from the 2001 to 2011 films: castle sets, costumes, creatures and spell effects. The scenes readers recognise are all there, but none is remade shot for shot.

Eight episodes, a season 2 and a Christmas release

Francesca Gardiner runs the series, and Mark Mylod directs several episodes alongside Jessica Hobbs, Lucy Forbes and Benjamin Caron. David Heyman, producer of the eight films, also produces the series, which has been filming since July 2025 at Leavesden Studios, where the films were shot. The season has eight episodes and adapts only the first novel.

Season 2 has been commissioned since May 2026: it will adapt The Chamber of Secrets and filming starts at the end of 2026. Kit Harington will play Gilderoy Lockhart, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Back to Hogwarts and 25 years of the first film

The release date follows the franchise calendar: 1 September is the first day of term at Hogwarts, and the trailer arrived the day after the Back to Hogwarts showcase, the annual event Warner devotes to the saga. It is the first edition built around the series rather than the films.

2026 also marks 25 years since the first film, released in November 2001. A restored version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is coming back with around twelve minutes of previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage.

Between this re-release and a series that starts on Christmas Day, the last four months of the year are busy with Harry Potter releases, merchandise included.

Harry Potter items released this autumn

Two LEGO builds come out at the start of term, in two opposite formats. The Ministry of Magic Collectors' Edition has 3491 pieces, in a box aimed at adults.

The Mini Hogwarts Castle recreates, in 700 pieces, the silhouette the trailer shows in wide shots. It fits on a shelf, whereas the Ministry needs a display cabinet.

For figures, this season brings together the characters seen on screen. A first pack includes Harry, Voldemort, Hermione, Dumbledore and Ron. A second is more of an assortment: a 3.5 in (9 cm) Harry Potter figure, a Hedwig keyring, a Mystery Mini and a Hermione Granger pen topper. Dumbledore #207 is sold on its own, and there is also the Funko 2026 Advent Calendar.

For the rest of the licence, the grid below ranks the best-selling Harry Potter items at our partner shops, across all formats.

The first of the eight episodes arrives on HBO Max in December 2026.