Harry Potter fans left divided by new HBO trailer as viewers blast ‘identical’ reboot: ‘What’s the point?’

Dominic McLaughlin leads the cast as Harry Potter alongside Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger.

The footage takes viewers through several instantly recognisable moments from Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, including the Sorting Ceremony, Quidditch and life inside the magical castle.

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John Lithgow is also seen as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer appears as Professor Minerva McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of Severus Snape.

However, the familiar scenes prompted a mixed reaction online, with several fans questioning what the new adaptation would offer that audiences had not already seen in the hugely successful film series.

One unimpressed viewer posted on X: “I just don’t know why they need to remake it.”

Another echoed: “Wait, so it’s not a new story, but just a rehash of the original???”

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A third argued: “Even if JKR wasn’t mad this still looks virtually identical to the movies just with a different cast, like what’s the point?”

Another questioned the reboot’s prospects altogether, writing: “This series has to do poorly, right? The right hates the race swapping and the left hates Rowling. I get the feeling everyone has things they dislike about this show’s existence.”

The trailer’s soundtrack also came under fire, with one viewer complaining: “The background score feels like AI. It has no soul like the first movies.”

However, other Potter fans were delighted by the opportunity to return to Hogwarts.

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One emotional viewer wrote: “It does not matter how old we get, our generation will always look at the Hogwarts Express and wish we were on it. Truly emotional.”

Another praised the apparent expansion of the original story, declaring: “Glad to see there are some additional scenes and it’s not just a hashed-out retelling of the same source material. This looks phenomenal.”

A third added: “Seeing the cupboard under the stairs and the actual book scenes come to life feels like reading the magic for the very first time again.”

The television format will allow the creative team considerably more time to explore Ms Rowling’s novels than was available to the original films.

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The first season will consist of eight episodes and adapt Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, following Harry as he discovers the wizarding world and begins his first year at Hogwarts.

The project has attracted controversy throughout its development, ranging from debate surrounding casting choices to continuing backlash over Ms Rowling’s involvement as an executive producer.

HBO has previously described the production as a “faithful adaptation” of Ms Rowling’s books, with each season expected to tackle another instalment in the series.

The controversy surrounding the reboot has also extended behind the camera, with several industry figures publicly distancing themselves from the project over Ms Rowling’s views on transgender issues.

Mr Lithgow has described the author’s position on transgender issues as “ironic and inexplicable”, while Nick Frost, who will portray Rubeus Hagrid, has said his views do not align with Rowling’s “in any way, shape or form”.

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Black Mirror director Ally Pankiw revealed she had turned down the opportunity to work on the series, saying it was “easy to say no to funding transphobia”.

Loki director Kate Herron has similarly said she rejected approaches to work on the Harry Potter reboot.

Members of the new cast have also publicly expressed views which differ from the author.

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Mr Essiedu has meanwhile publicly supported transgender rights, including signing an open letter calling for protections for the trans community.

Ms Rowling remains an executive producer on the HBO adaptation and is closely involved with the project.

The debate has left some longtime Harry Potter fans wrestling with whether to support the new adaptation, with boycott campaigners arguing that engaging with the franchise financially benefits its creator.

Others have argued that the work of the hundreds of cast and crew involved in bringing the series to screen should be considered separately from Ms Rowling’s personal views.