HBO‘s new Harry Potter TV show posters have received a mixed response from fans. The promotional images introduce the three young leads, but viewers have raised concerns about their editing and unnatural appearance.
The posters feature Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Each poster shows one of the characters holding a wand, with the Hogwarts library in the background. The tagline, “The First Year Begins,” hints at the students’ upcoming journey at the wizarding school.
One viewer, @seanbenet8, was particularly unimpressed, writing, “These are objectively awful lol.” Another user, @BlabberingC, initially thought the posters looked good but changed their opinion after noticing the editing. They questioned why Ron seemed to have “2 different lip colors” and pointed out changes in the characters’ facial expressions.
The criticism also came from viewers who remain excited about the adaptation. @AJ1161881 admitted, “I’m not a huge fan of these posters,” describing their appearance as “too uncanny.” However, the viewer clarified that the posters would not change their excitement for the series. Another viewer, @thatstarwarsgrl, criticized the show’s overall appearance, saying, “Everything I see from this show just looks like bad cosplay.”
Who else is starring in the Harry Potter TV show?
The upcoming adaptation features a large ensemble cast alongside its three young leads. John Lithgow will play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer will portray Professor Minerva McGonagall. Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of Severus Snape, and Nick Frost will appear as Rubeus Hagrid.
The Weasley family includes Katherine Parkinson as Molly, Ruari Spooner as Percy, Tristan Harland as Fred, Gabriel Harland as George, and Gracie Cochrane as Ginny. Johnny Flynn plays Lucius Malfoy, with Lox Pratt portraying Draco. The Dursley family includes Daniel Rigby as Vernon, Bel Powley as Petunia, and Amos Kitson as Dudley. Meanwhile, Bertie Carvel plays Cornelius Fudge, and Anton Lesser portrays Garrick Ollivander.
Based on J.K. Rowling’s book series, the first season will adapt Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone across eight episodes. The show will premiere on HBO on December 25, 2026, with episodes also available on HBO Max.
