“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live,” said Dumbledore. But for many of us, Harry Potter was never a dream but was the world we grew up in. 

The books were our first step into the magical world of J.K. Rowling. Then films brought that magic to life in a different form. Now, the announcement of HBO’s new Harry Potter series feels like a chance to revisit the Marauder’s Map and explore the story from a fresh perspective.

This new series promises a more faithful adaptation, which will be accurate to the books. 

According to HBO, each season will focus on one book and bring moments to life that were rushed or left out entirely in the films. That is an exciting promise that comes with huge expectations. 

But no matter how well shot it turns out to be, some things will always be impossible to recreate. Nostalgia is a tricky spell to master.

The biggest point of discussion right now is the new cast, especially the new faces of the Golden Trio – Harry, Hermione and Ron. With the first official cast photo out, the internet is buzzing with analysis and comparison. So did I.

Let’s start with Hermione Granger. In the books, she is introduced as having “lots of bushy brown hair” and “rather large front teeth.” She is not supposed to look polished. 

She is clever, intense and bossy. Emma Watson grew into the role beautifully, but her appearance was always a bit too tidy compared to the text. The new Hermione, with her long, thick hair and natural look, feels like the Hermione I read about. She also reminds me a lot of young Jenna Ortega, which is not a bad thing, I suppose. 

Harry Potter, the boy who lived, is described in the books as small and skinny, with knobbly knees, messy black hair, round glasses and bright green eyes. Daniel Radcliffe had the spirit of Harry, no doubt. And the new Harry, at least from the photo, captures that vulnerability. He looks like a child who could easily blend into the background until something magical happens. 

And then there is Ron Weasley. In the books, Ron is tall and lanky, with bright red hair, freckles, and a long nose. Rupert Grint brought humour and loyalty and was, in my opinion, the best. The new Ron, with striking ginger hair and a quiet demeanor feels like he has just stepped out of the Burrow. He just looks and feels like Ron. No complaint there. 

To be honest, I like the new trio. And from what I have seen online, many others do too. Of course, it will take time. We have had over two decades to grow used to the film actors’ faces. They became the standard even if they strayed from the books’ descriptions. Adjusting to new faces will be strange and take time.

That being said, not all casting choices have been received with the same warmth. The new Severus Snape has stirred up quite a bit of a conversation. 

Alan Rickman’s portrayal was iconic. It was cold, haunting and unforgettable. The new actor cast as Snape is Black, which has led to mixed reactions. But one comment I read really stayed with me. It said something like, “Snape was bullied by James and ended up joining a group that hated people like him. When a Black actor portrays him, it resonates more powerfully. And I think that is worth considering. This casting choice could bring cultural conflicts into action unnecessarily.

On a brighter note, I am especially excited about something the films completely skipped: Peeves the Poltergeist. He is in almost every book, causing chaos, singing rude songs and throwing things at students. 

The films cut him out entirely. Bringing Peeves back is a promising sign. I have high hopes for it. With all the technical possibilities they have nowadays, Peeves could be absolutely wild, bouncing off walls, turning staircases upside down and driving Filch mad in all the possible ways. 

Of course, not everything is as charming. HBO has said they will take their time, possibly up to two years between seasons. That’s fine for quality, but not ideal for young actors who need to age with the story. I mean, Harry turns seventeen by the end, not 25.

Ultimately, while the cast holds significance, the story is what truly matters. The original films, for all their charm, strayed from the books. They cut key plot lines, simplified complex characters and sometimes rushed through moments that deserved more care. 

I hope this series does better. I want to see the full story. I am particularly interested in Winky the house elf, S.P.E.W., the haunting story of the Gaunt family, and the complete arc of Percy Weasley.

However, we, the OG fans, have grown up. We have walked through all seven books, watched the movies, whispered “Alohomora” at elevator doors and felt real grief for fictional characters. 

But now, it is time for a new generation. This series might be their first step into the wizarding world. The beginning of their own magical journey.

And if that happens to be the case, well, mischief managed!