The Harry Potter universe is preparing for a transformation with the launch of the new HBOMax series, a production that will take viewers beyond what is shown in the books and movies.
According to recent interviews, the series will show for the first time the intimate surroundings of secondary characters, especially Draco Malfoy and his life at MalfoyManor, the Malfoy family residence.
Lox Pratt, the young actor in charge of playing Draco, revealed details about this unprecedented approach.Pratt, who also participated in the adaptation of Lord of the Flies for the BBC, indicated that the series will allow “to see all the teachers in their rooms, and Draco in his house.”
Without giving away details about the plots, Pratt anticipated that some of the best scenes will take place in the Malfoy home, showing aspects of Draco’s personality that had never been addressed.
“You begin to understand what he is like,” said the actor, alluding to the fact that viewers will be able to discover the roots of the character’s motivations and internal conflicts.
The decision to incorporate Draco’s domestic life from the first season constituted a break from the books, where the Malfoy residence appears only in the last installment.
This change meant that screenwriter Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod sought to enrich the original story through the exploration of spaces and relationships not yet seen.The incorporation of Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy responds to this modification, since the father character becomes relevant from the beginning of the series, unlike his late appearance in the work of J.K.Rowling.
Pratt valued the collaboration with Flynn, describing him as “a wonderful man” and highlighted the connection achieved between the two to portray the father-son relationship on screen.
According to Pratt, this approach will allow audiences to move away from the image of Draco as a simple antagonist and toward a more nuanced view: “In the movies, Draco is like a two-dimensional villain. I feel like there’s a lot more to it: you need to understand why.”
Thus, the series seeks to provide humanity and context to characters who until then only functioned as a counterpoint to the protagonist.
The production aroused enthusiasm among both fans of the saga and Warner Bros. Discovery.
JB Perrette, president of global streaming, defined the project as the “streaming event of the decade” and described the level of detail achieved in the production.
According to Perrette, the episodic format offers an opportunity to tell stories and show aspects of the magical world that are impossible to address in a film: “The scope of the production, the detail and the meticulousness take theatrical to another level.”
This ambition is reflected in the choice of a strong creative team, with MarkMylod (known for Succession) directing and Francesca Gardiner (writer of His Dark Materials) in charge of the script.
The series, which will span seven seasons, aims to present a richer experience and show corners and relationships barely suggested in the original saga.
Thus, viewers will be able to delve into the daily life of Hogwarts and the intimacy of families like the Malfoys, expanding their understanding of the universe created by Rowling.
The casting selection process was also the subject of various opinions.
The choice of John Lithgow as the new Albus Dumbledore provoked varied reactions, partly due to the author’s position on gender issues.
Actress Aud Mason-Hyde, who identifies as non-binary and shared a set with Lithgow, expressed mixed emotions.
“I never felt invalidated or questioned by him in my identity or in my transgenderism. He is a very loving and guiding person. But there is something about being in the Harry Potter series that is slightly painful,” she said.
Mason-Hyde, however, recognized Lithgow’s authenticity and commitment in his interpretations, positively valuing their work together on previous projects.
These testimonies show the climate of openness and diversity that the production seeks to foster, even when the original saga was at the center of controversy over issues of representation.
With the premiere scheduled for 2027, the new Harry Potter series raises expectations with the promise of thoroughly exploring its characters and settings.
