The Wizarding World is back, but not everyone is casting a spell of approval. On Monday, HBO released the first official image from its highly anticipated (and hotly debated) Harry Potter reboot, revealing 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin in costume as The Boy Who Lived. The image, marking the start of production, comes as the series kicks off what is expected to be a decade-long adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series.
Alongside the first look, several new cast members were also confirmed, including Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch, and Anton Lesser as wandmaker Garrick Ollivander. They join previously announced heavy-hitters like John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.
But while production is officially underway, the reaction online has been anything but magical.
Fans Slam New ‘Harry Potter’ Series
As soon as the image of the young Harry Potter hit the internet, fans flooded social media with criticism, many questioning the need for a reboot at all and the casting of 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter. Some questioned his appearance, commenting that he looked far too young, with remarks like, “He looks 12, what’s going on?” and “Why does he look like a little baby?” Others were more direct in their disapproval of the project as a whole, calling it unnecessary and labeling it a “cash grab.”
Critics didn’t hold back, with one person writing, “Hope it’s not gonna be God awful. No one asked for this.” Another echoed the sentiment, saying, “What’s the need for all this?” Meanwhile, frustration over the franchise’s return was also aimed at author J.K. Rowling, with one fan declaring, “I thought we left Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling in the 2010s.” Another bluntly put it: “Cancel this sh-t, WTF—he looks like a baby.”
The network has described the reboot as “a faithful adaptation of the iconic books,” promising a deeper, more expansive look at the world J.K. Rowling created. Unlike time-constrained films, the TV format will allow for more detailed storytelling, with the opportunity to explore subplots and character development that didn’t make it into the original movies.
The first season is expected to debut in 2027, marking the beginning of what is planned to be a 10-year journey through the Wizarding World, with one season dedicated to each book in the series.
