MANILA, Philippines — The doors to the wizarding world will be opening once more after HBO Max released the first official trailer for its series adaptation of "Harry Potter."
This iteration aims to adapt each book of the franchise with a corresponding season starting with the first eight-episode entry "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."
The trailer begins with the titular character played by Dominic McLaughlin bearing the difficulties of living with the Dursleys — Uncle Vernon (Daniel Rigby), Aunt Petunia (Bel Powley), and cousin Dudley (Amos Kitson).
"I told you, you are a normal boy and you're going to start acting like one," Aunt Petunia says after cutting of Harry's hair. "You think you're something special? There is nothing special about you."
Things change however when Harry receives a letter and later meets the half-giant Rubeus Hagrid (Nick Frost), who briefly tells Harry about his deceased parents.
A close-up shot focuses on Harry's green eyes before shifting to the scar on his forehead, a mark he's had since his parents died a decade earlier.
Clips follow of Harry getting to Platform 9 3/4, glimpsing Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout) embracing his mother Molly (Katherine Parkinson), the Hogwarts Express arriving at Hogsmeade Station, and Hagrid leading the new students into Hogwarts.
Quick scenes of Hogwarts classrooms and interiors flow by as well brief looks of Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton), Draco Malfoy (Lox Pratt), Minerva McGonagall (Janet McTeer), Garrick Ollivander (Anton Lesser), Severus Snape (Paapa Essiedu), and Albus Dumbledore (John Lithgow).
More heartwarming scenes of the trio are teased like the unwrapping of Harry's Nimbus 2000, a Quidditch match in the snow, running though the Great Hall, and roasting marshmallows in the Gryffindor Common Room.
The trailer ends with Ron seeking to confirm Harry is indeed the Boy Who Lived, with Ron gesturing to sparks coming out of his head after Harry nods, and the confirmation the show will premiere on Christmas Day. — Video from HBO Max Asia's YouTube channel