Khaberni - HBO Max launched the first promotional trailer for the "Harry Potter" series on March 26, 2026, one day before the streaming service launches in the UK and Ireland.
The global premiere will take place on December 25, 2026, and the first season consists of 8 episodes.
It is noted that the cost per episode of the series reaches $100 million, making the first season close to $800 million in total.
The first season is titled "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and its global premiere is on December 25, 2026, on both "HBO" and "HBO Max", a timing that coincides with the peak viewing period during the year-end holidays.
The first season consists of 8 episodes, mostly set within Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, covering the events of the entire first novel, while all actors have signed contracts extending 10 years to film 7 anticipated seasons covering the seven J.K. Rowling novels.
Astronomical figures put the production at the forefront of history
CNN has reported speculation that the cost per episode of the series is $100 million, which means that the cost of the first season alone could reach $800 million.
If these figures are confirmed, it would mean that the series will exceed the budget of the original eight movies combined, which was about $1.2 billion, making it the most expensive television production in the history of the industry.
From its side, HBO has not officially confirmed this number, and CNN has reported that it has reached out to the network for a comment with no response so far.
32,000 children to choose 3 faces
The search for the three main characters of the series took a full 8 months, in September 2024, a public call was issued for children aged between 9 and 11 years old, with 32,000 children applying.
In May 2025, Dominick McLoughlin was chosen for the role of Harry Potter, Alastair Staut for Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton for Hermione Granger, while HBO dubbed the trio "The Golden Trio".
Meanwhile, Daniel Radcliffe, who played the character in the original films since 2001, announced that McLoughlin would be more suitable for the role, adding, "I'm sure that Dominick will do better than me", and sent him a personal message wishing him a successful experience.
A team of veteran stars
The three children were joined by some of the most prominent faces in British and international acting, with John Lithgow playing Headmaster Dumbledore, Janet McTeer, a Golden Globe winner, playing Professor McGonagall, and Nick Frost playing Hagrid.
Meanwhile, the role of Severus Snape is taken on by Papa Essiedu, known for his role in the series "I May Destroy You" in 2020, and this choice has faced racist attacks online.
A musical change stirs controversy
Absent from the series are composer John Williams and the famous theme "Hedwig's Theme", associated with the series in the minds of millions, replaced instead by German composer Hans Zimmer through his company "Bleeding Fingers Music".
While some viewers see this as a distortion of a crucial element of the magical world's identity, others welcome the change.
