- HBO has released the trailer for its new Harry Potter series, starring Dominic McLaughlin as the boy wizard, with a Christmas release date.
- The series has faced various controversies since its 2021 announcement, including backlash over author JK Rowling's views on the transgender community.
- Cast members, including John Lithgow (Dumbledore) and Nick Frost (Hagrid), have publicly distanced themselves from Rowling's controversial statements.
- Paapa Essiedu, cast as Severus Snape, received race-fuelled death threats online, prompting HBO to implement serious security measures for the cast.
- Chris Columbus, director of the first two Harry Potter films, questioned the remake's purpose, citing similarities in costumes and character portrayals to the original movies.
IN FULL
Why the new Harry Potter series is so controversial: from death threats to JK Rowling backlash
