JK Rowling shares thoughts on new Harry Potter series following trailer backlash

Brenna Cooper
2026-03-27T14:23:17.756Z
Entertainment

HBO's adaptation of the Harry Potter franchise premieres later this year

JK Rowling has shared her reaction to the first trailer for HBO's Harry Potter franchise.

Earlier this week, we got our first look at the streamer's take on the iconic wizarding world. Dominic McLaughlin takes over from Daniel Radcliffe as the titular The Boy Who Lived, while John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu and Nick Frost join as some of our Hogwarts professors.

We also had a release window for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - yes Philosopher's, not Sorcerer's - with the series set to premiere during Christmas 2026.

Take a look at the trailer below if you still haven't seen it:

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The first look has so far received a mixed reaction, with some Potterheads grateful for new content, while others have complained about the washed-out colour grading and lack of John Williams' score.

However, there's one person who certainly appears to be absolutely over the moon with the first teaser, JK Rowling.

Responding to a fan comment on X who called the show 'bloody marvellous', the series creator revealed that she is overjoyed with the first look, writing: "It's going to be incredible. I'm so happy with it."

The series' reboot has been somewhat controversial since it was announced back in 2023.

Rowling herself has faced backlash for numerous ‘gender critical’ comments and tweets she's made over the years.

The author's comments have put her at odds with the original golden trio, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, with the 60-year-old previously saying she would 'never forgive' the actors.

JK Rowling's views on trans people have led to some Harry Potter fans calling for a series boycott (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Her comments, as well as her role as an executive producer on the series, have led some fans to plan a boycott, while Dumbledore actor Lithgow told The New York Times he'd even considered quitting the series due to the intense backlash.

He has also slammed Rowling's views on trans people, as well as revealing that the author is 'not really involved in this production at all'.

Nick Frost, who plays Hagrid in the HBO series, addressed the situation regarding her comments, saying: "She’s allowed her opinion and I’m allowed mine – they just don’t align in any way, shape or form."

Meanwhile, I May Destroy You star Essiedu has received death threats over his casting as Severus Snape.

Meanwhile Paapa Essiedu has faced racism and death threats over his Snape casting (Lara Cornell/HBO)

Essiedu, who was born in London to Ghanaian parents, has faced racism because the character of Snape was originally written as white.

Noting that his casting 'really matters' to some people, Essiedu told The Times: "The reality is that if I look at Instagram, I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you'.

"So while I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be murdered - that could age badly - but, yes, while I hope I’ll be okay, nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job.

"Many people put their lives on the line in their work. I’m playing a wizard in Harry Potter. And I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t affect me emotionally."

Elsewhere, director Chris Columbus, who helmed the 2001 film of the same name, also commented on the apparent similarities, claiming that Hagrid's costume is 'the exact same costume' as Robbie Coltrane's.

"Part of me is like: 'What's the point?' I thought the costumes and everything were going to be different, but it's more of the same. It's all going to be the same," he said.

A look at the new Harry Potter cast in action

Harry Potter (Dominic McLaughlin)

(HBO)

Professor McGonagall (Janet McTeer)

(HBO)

Dumbledore (John Lithgow)

(HBO)

Draco Malfoy (Lox Pratt)

(HBO)

Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton)

(HBO)

Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout)

(HBO)

Professor Snape (Paapa Essiedu)

(HBO)

Hagrid (Nick Frost)

(HBO)

Aunt Petunia (Bel Powley)

(HBO)

The new Harry Potter series will be available to watch on HBO Max from 25 December, 2026. You can learn more about the new Sky packages on offer here.