ADVERTISEMENTHBO has officially started production on the highly anticipated yet controversial Harry Potter TV series adaptation and has revealed a first look at the titular character.
The photo released by HBO shows 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, donning the signature Hogwarts uniform paired with round-rim glasses and a lightning bolt scar.
Reactions to the photo were broadly positive.
On fan wrote: “He looks great as Harry! Pls protect him from the internet trolls.”
“He’s freaking adorable,” another said, while one fan commented: “So cute omg, I hate that J.K. (Rowling) is involved in that, poor baby,” referring to the author’s role as an executive producer in the series.
Some fans have objected to Rowling’s involvement due to views she has expressed on transgender rights.
Last month, renowned British actor, author and broadcaster Stephen Fry labelled Rowling a “lost cause” and stated that she has been “radicalised by TERFs” – the acronym that stands for “trans-exclusionary radical feminist”.
Some commenters did voice off about how no one needs another Harry Potter adaptation.
“The series no one asked for. Even my little nieces and cousins love the original, they don’t need a new version of it,” said one person, while another wrote: “Hope it’s not gonna be God awful. No one asked for this. Just another cash grab.”
Another urged fans to be nice to the child actors, writing: “I’m really begging the general public to be kind to these children and not to ruin their lives for fun.”
The network announced in late May that McLaughlin was cast as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Several high-profile actors have been announced in other key roles, including Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley.
A new round of actors were announced yesterday, including Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
The show began production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, and is expected to debut in 2027.
The new series will be “a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter books,” the network previously wrote, and “will feature an exciting and talented cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have adored for over 25 years.”
