In a sneak preview of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the upcoming HBO Max series adaptation of the book of the same name, a full scene has been unveiled.
The scene shows us the start of term banquet, and begins with the students chanting Dumbledore's name as they sit at their tables - a key difference to the books.
Dominic McLaughlin's Harry is then seen asking Alastair Stout's Ron whether John Lithgow's Dumbledore is "a bit mad," to which he replies: "Yep, totally off his rocker."
Dumbledore then snaps his fingers, after which the food for the banquet pops up magically from the tables, in a manner much more accurate to the description in the books than in the previous film adaptations.
As the students dig in, first to their mains and then to desserts, Dumbledore and Janet McTeer's McGonagall are seen having a conversation about Harry being sorted into Gryffindor House - the second big change from the books and a clear addition.
Dumbledore calls her "the cat who got the cream" having Harry in her house, and she notes that he is "the spit of" his father, James.
"Looks can be deceiving, Minerva," he responds, before adding: "His nature is entirely his own."
You can watch the full clip right here now.
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This first season of Harry Potter will be made up of eight episodes, and will premiere on Christmas Day. A second season, based on The Chamber of Secrets, is in production now.
Last month, three key new cast members were announced, with Jasper Talbot and Hannah Chinn set to playi James and Lily Potter, the boy wizard’s ill-fated parents, while Harry Gilby will play the eldest Weasley son, Charlie.
They are all expected to appear in season 1, while Kit Harington will appear in season 2, playing Professor Gilderoy Lockhart.
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Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall.
Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “born in the wrong body”.
In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to “individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights”.
Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will be available to watch on HBO Max from 25 December 2026. Subscribe to HBO Max from £5.99 a month.
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