The second official trailer has been released for HBO’s forthcoming TV adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Starring newcomer Dominic McLaughlin in the lead role, the new trailer gives an extended look at life at Hogwarts and the challenges that Potter and the gang face in their first year at the school.
The newly released footage provides glimpses of well-known moments from the book and shows Potter using the invisibility cloak, playing quidditch and being confronted by Professor Snape.
The trailer follows an initial teaser unveiled this March, which gave a first look at the new eight-episode series based on JK Rowling’s first Potter book.
As well as McLaughlin as Potter, the series also features the British newcomers Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The young actors were chosen after a lengthy casting search among British child actors aged nine to 11.
The series also features actors Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid and John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, the Hogwarts headmaster.
Luke Thallon will play Quirinus Quirrell, while Paul Whitehouse will appear as Argus Filch, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as his father, Lucius, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley.
The series began its big-budget production in Hertfordshire, England, last July. The show is led by two Succession alums, writer Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, who will also direct some episodes.
Last month, Nicholas Hoult stepped back from a previously announced role in the show’s second season amid backlash from those opposed to Rowling’s views on trans rights. Kit Harington, the Game of Thrones actor, was announced as Hoult’s replacement to play Gilderoy Lockhart, Hogwarts’ defense against the dark arts teacher.
Previously, Lithgow called Rowling’s stance on trans rights “ironic and inexplicable”.
“It upsets me when people are vehemently opposed to me having anything to do with this,” he said. “But in Potter canon you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity. [Rowling] has written this meditation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.”
Last month, Powley also commented on the issue. “I strongly disagree with JK Rowling’s views on gender,” she said to the Telegraph. “I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance.”
Rowling is involved in the HBO series in an advisory capacity as an executive producer.
The show will premiere at Christmas with each subsequent book adapted for further seasons.
