It’s only a minute and a half long, but a new clip from HBO’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is already charming fans.
The sneak peek shows the Start-of-Term Feast at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with students cheering for Albus Dumbledore (John Lithgow) as the headmaster laughs appreciatively.
In a cutaway to the Gryffindor table, Harry Potter (Dominic McLaughlin) turns to Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout).
“Is Dumbledore a bit mad?” the Boy Who Lived asks.
“Yep, totally off his rocker,” Ron replies with a beam.
Then, with a snap of Dumbledore’s fingers, a cornucopia of food magically appears on the tables of the Great Hall, and the students dig in.
HBO/YouTube
Back at the High Table, Dumbledore notices professor and Gryffindor head Minerva McGonagall (Janet McTeer) looking satisfied.
“Cat that got the cream?” he says in a seeming nod to McGonagall’s Animagus form. “Admit it, you’re pleased that he’s in your house.”
“Well, he is the spit of James,” McGonagall says of Harry’s resemblance to his late father. “I can’t believe it. It’s uncanny.”
“Looks can be deceiving, Minerva,” Dumbledore says as he skewers a slab of meat with his fork. “His nature is entirely his own.”
And with that, the dinner entrées disappear, replaced with decadent desserts on which the Hogwarts kids immediately start making inroads.
HBO/YouTube
Despite the continuing controversy around the Harry Potter story returning to screen amid the outrage over author J.K. Rowling’s politics, YouTube commenters seem pleased with this sneak peek.
“The little conversation between Dumbledore and McGonagall gives us more of an example of how this show will give more outside of Harry’s point of view on things than the books or movies did,” one person wrote.
“Seeing them talk about how much Harry resembles James was a nice touch,” another commenter added. “And I like how McGonagall is proud that Harry is in Gryffindor.”
A third commenter wrote, “So that little exchange between the teachers… more of that, please?!”
And another commenter said, “My soul needs more McGonagall and Dumbledore’s friendship.”
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first season of HBO’s television adaptation of the Harry Potter novels, will premiere on Christmas Day. Written and executive-produced by Francesca Gardiner, the show also stars Arabella Stanton, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Rory Wilmot, Lox Pratt, Leo Earley, Elijah Oshin, Tristan Harland, Gabriel Harland, Ruari Spooner, Alessia Leoni, Sienna Moosah, Finn Stephens, William Nash, Warwick Davis, and Sirine Saba.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Series Premiere, Friday, December 25, 2026, HBO & HBO Max
