New images from the set of HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter adaptation offer an early look at how the series is distinguishing itself from the previous film versions. The production appears to be experimenting with updated costume designs, including new Hogwarts robes that depart from the familiar black silhouettes used in the movies. Actor Dominic McLaughlin, who plays Harry, is seen in a burgundy cloak that immediately reads differently from earlier interpretations. The choice may or may not be tied to Hogwarts house colors, but the contrast is clear when compared with the outfit worn by Lox Pratt, the young actor portraying Draco Malfoy, whose costume hints at a separate palette more in line with Slytherin.
These photos, shared on social media by Wizarding World Direct, seem to capture the first flying lesson from the opening book — a moment that includes Draco commandeering Neville’s Remembrall. While it’s only a brief look at the production, it provides one of the first substantial glimpses at how the new series is approaching familiar scenes that millions already associate with their earlier on-screen counterparts.
FIRST LOOK at Harry, Draco Malfoy, Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom in their Hogwarts robes in the HARRY POTTER TV series! pic.twitter.com/rfGHqQVBQh
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) November 11, 2025
The images also reveal Sherlock actor Louise Brealey in costume as Madam Hooch, Hogwarts’ flying instructor. Her outfit resembles a practical, weather-ready tracksuit reimagined through a wizarding lens, which contrasts with the dark robes worn by Zoë Wanamaker in the original films. These differences suggest the new series is not attempting to mirror the exact visual identity of earlier adaptations, even as it revisits many of the same narrative beats.
Recent production updates have signaled that the show is willing to explore material mentioned but not directly depicted in the books. One example is a sequence involving Dumbledore visiting Nicolas Flamel, which expands on elements that were previously only referenced in passing. Still, access to filming remains limited, with most sightings coming when the crew leaves its base at Warner Bros.’ Leavesden Studios.
FIRST LOOK at Madam Hooch during flying lessons in the HARRY POTTER TV series pic.twitter.com/nQygxYrSae
— Wizarding World Direct (@WW_Direct) November 11, 2025
Other glimpses have included the Dursleys’ trip to London Zoo and Hagrid guiding Harry through the city. Those scenes sparked commentary from original film director Chris Columbus, who questioned the necessity of recreating moments still fresh in pop-culture memory. Yet shifting too far from the source material carries its own risks, leaving the production to navigate a familiar tension between fidelity and reinterpretation.
HBO’s Harry Potter series is slated for an early 2027 premiere, with an eight-episode first season. As filming continues, early photos suggest a measured attempt to update the story’s visual language while maintaining a recognizable foundation for long-time readers and viewers.
