HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television reboot has drawn its most direct criticism yet from within the franchise.
Miriam Margolyes, who appeared in two of the original films, has said she does not see the point of remaking the series and suggested the decision is driven primarily by money.
The new Harry Potter series is expected to debut in early 2027 and will adapt one book per season. Warner Bros. has positioned the long-form format as an opportunity to explore storylines and characters that were condensed or removed in the film adaptations released between 2001 and 2011.
HBO programming chief Casey Bloys has confirmed that seasons will be filmed in close succession to avoid long gaps and visible aging among the young cast. The project marks the first full reboot of the core Harry Potter story since the films concluded with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
A new trio of actors — Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout — will take over the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. Daniel Radcliffe has publicly addressed the transition, telling “Good Morning America” (via Variety) that he told McLaughlin, “I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did.”
The supporting cast has also been recast almost entirely. John Lithgow will portray Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer will play Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu has been cast as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost will take on the role of Rubeus Hagrid. Warwick Davis is the only returning actor, reprising his role as Filius Flitwick.
Margolyes, who played Professor Pomona Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, has long been candid about her relationship with the franchise. In a 2023 Vogue interview, she dismissed the books bluntly, saying, “It’s not Charles Dickens.”
In 2024, she questioned the durability of adult fandom. “I worry about ‘Harry Potter’ fans because they should be over that by now,” she told New Zealand’s 1News. “It was 25 years ago, and it’s for children. I think it’s for children.”
Appearing recently on Capital Breakfast, Margolyes – who previously also slammed the Marvel Cinematic Universe – extended that criticism to the HBO reboot itself. Asked whether she would return, she said she would have declined.
“I don’t see why they need to make another one,” she said. “I thought it was perfectly good as it was. But I suppose it’s the endless search for money.”
She added, “They don’t need it! The people who were the producers, they made a fortune.”
Other figures connected to the franchise have been more measured.
Director Chris Columbus has questioned the creative value of revisiting familiar designs, while acknowledging that the television format could restore scenes and characters cut from the films. Actors including Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, and Bonnie Wright have expressed varying degrees of support.
Margolyes’ comments mark the clearest rejection yet from a former cast member, as HBO continues development on one of the most closely watched reboots in recent television history.
Do you agree with Miriam Margolyes about the Harry Potter reboot?
