It’s hard to imagine a time before the world of Harry Potter became a global cultural force. Since the release of the first book nearly three decades ago, J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world has shaped a generation, inspired millions, and sparked countless debates.
Now, with the announcement of a brand-new series from HBO Max, the franchise is facing a fresh wave of scrutiny—and this time, it isn’t just about the storylines.
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Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO Max made headlines in 2023 when they confirmed a new Harry Potter television series that would revisit the original seven books in greater depth. The series is set to span an entire decade. Though the new show promises a more faithful adaptation of the source material, not all reactions have been positive.
Fans have been split since the initial announcement. Some argue that the original film series, which wrapped with 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, set an impossible standard. Others welcomed the idea of exploring the books with fresh eyes and updated storytelling.
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But when HBO Max finally revealed its casting choices, the internet erupted.
On May 27, HBO Max took to Instagram to unveil the new actors who will portray the series’ iconic trio:
streamonmax Dear Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley: We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please welcome Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley to the HBO Original Series Harry Potter.
View this post on Instagram
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The post, shared with HBO Max’s 3.7 million followers, garnered massive engagement almost immediately. Fans flooded the comments with reactions, ranging from excitement to skepticism. But the enthusiasm was soon overshadowed by a surge of hateful rhetoric, particularly directed at Arabella Stanton, who was cast as Hermione Granger.
Stanton, a multi-racial British actress with a darker complexion than Emma Watson, who played the role in the original films, became the target of racist abuse in the post’s comment section. The trolling became so intense that HBO Max eventually disabled comments entirely.
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Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time the casting of a Black actress as Hermione has led to online harassment. When Noma Dumezweni played the same character in the stage production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, she too faced widespread backlash. Despite critical acclaim and the play’s immense popularity, some fans refused to accept a Black Hermione.
Arabella Stanton isn’t alone in facing these challenges. Paapa Essiedu, cast as Severus Snape, also received hate online. Although Essiedu is a respected British actor, critics took issue not with his skills, but with his race. Many claimed his appearance didn’t match the book’s description of Snape, ignoring the fact that previous adaptations have also taken creative liberties.
As reactions continued to pour in, the conversation shifted from casting preferences to broader concerns about racism in fandom culture. The troubling trend is a reminder that, while progress has been made, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to inclusivity in mainstream media.
For those wondering about the broader cast, HBO Max has revealed several other key roles:
- Dominic McLaughlin – Harry Potter
- Alastair Stout – Ron Weasley
- Arabella Stanton – Hermione Granger
- John Lithgow – Albus Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer – Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu – Severus Snape
- Nick Frost – Rubeus Hagrid
- Paul Whitehouse – Argus Filch
- Luke Thallon – Quirinus Quirrell
Production is slated to begin this summer at Leavesden Studios, the same location where the original films were shot. The new series is expected to premiere on HBO Max in late 2026.
The outpouring of support for the new cast has been strong as well, with many fans applauding HBO Max for embracing diversity and offering young actors the chance to put their own stamp on these beloved roles. Still, the backlash underscores the difficulty of reimagining such a deeply nostalgic property.
Whether you’re excited, skeptical, or somewhere in between, one thing is certain: the Harry Potter reboot is sparking a cultural conversation far beyond Hogwarts. And in many ways, that may be the point.
Do you plan to tune in when the new series launches? Are you open to seeing new interpretations of these iconic characters? Who is your favorite character in the iconic franchise? Join the discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
While the kids, might take some time getting used to just for appearance’s they can easily overcome that by becoming the new characters, however race changing of the main character severest snape will not go over so easily, when will Disney and others realize you can’t change loved characters like that. If they need to satisfy some kind of racial balance, there are plenty of opportunities in the supporting cast of children to fill the role remember its not just about the three main characters people align with each of the houses of Hogwarts, and Snape was leader of the house of Slytherin. If Disney insist on this MAJOR change I and my family will not be watching,
Any time a remake is done, minorities are cast as main character replacements.. Its the PC thing that always happens, not the other way around.