Although the fan reaction to HBO‘s first Harry Potter teaser has largely been divided, J.K. Rowling has given her seal of approval.
On Thursday, the author said she’s “so happy” with the teaser trailer for the series adaptation of her young adult fantasy novels, sharing her reaction to the first look with fans on social media.
“It’s going to be incredible,” exclaimed Rowling on X. “I’m so happy with it.”
Rowling’s tweet came in response to a fan who said the teaser “looks bloody marvelous,” adding: “I cannot wait, and as it seems to me, neither can the rest of the world.”
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At least part of the world would disagree, with some slamming the lack of color and stylization in comparison to the Harry Potter movies, which were released from 2001 to 2011.
It’s going to be incredible. I’m so happy with it.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 26, 2026
“Despite it being a fantasy series sourced from PG children novels nothing about this trailer (color grading, no actual magic shown, lack of whimsy, set design, etc.) is indicative of something that’s marketed at children,” one person wrote on X. “On the other hand it’s perfect for infantilized adults.”
Several have complained about the race-swapping of Severus Snape with actor Paapa Essiedu, who recently revealed he’s gotten racially-motivated death threats over his casting.
“The new Harry Potter show is truly amazing to me,” someone wrote. “Leftists won’t like bc of JKR, right wingers won’t like it bc JKR retconned a bunch of characters to try and be woke, and the kids of today won’t like it bc it’s literally f*cking millennial slop.”
As noted, on the other end of the “woke” spectrum, Rowling’s anti-trans views continue to plague the series. “You cannot ‘separate the art from the artist’ with Harry Potter. JK Rowling has directly funded harmful legislation to the trans community and directly caused harm to trans people. She uses the money she makes from Harry Potter for that,” another posted.
despite it being a fantasy series sourced from PG children novels nothing about this trailer (color grading, no actual magic shown, lack of whimsy, set design, etc.) is indicative of something that’s marketed at children. on the other hand it’s perfect for infantilized adults https://t.co/N2hXy6qU0q
— tyler woodward (@tyler02020202) March 25, 2026
the new harry potter show is truly amazing to me. leftists won’t like bc of JKR, right wingers won’t like it bc JKR retconned a bunch of characters to try and be woke, and the kids of today won’t like it bc it’s literally fucking millennial slop. https://t.co/oxFj6HKsOm
— belle (@espressobaddie) March 26, 2026
You cannot “separate the art from the artist” with Harry Potter. JK Rowling has directly funded harmful legislation to the trans community and directly caused harm to trans people. She uses the money she makes from Harry Potter for that.
— Anthony Doyle🍉 (@Anthonysmdoyle) March 25, 2026
Scheduled to premiere on Christmas Day, Harry Potter began filming in the UK last summer. Its cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as the titular boy wizard, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Harry Potter is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod is executive producing and directing multiple episodes of the series, produced by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros Television. Also executive producing are Rowling, Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. Hans Zimmer recently signed on as composer.