Christmas Day is bringing us back to Hogwarts, with HBO’s new Harry Potter television series officially premiering on Friday 25 December 2026. However, fans hoping to spend Christmas watching all eight episodes might have to change their plans, as reports suggest the first season will be released weekly rather than all at once.

Titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first season will introduce Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, following the trio through their first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry Potter HBO Series: Reported Episode Release Dates

According to the dates currently being reported, the series could move to a Sunday release schedule following its Christmas Day premiere, with the finale arriving on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2027.

Episode 1 – Friday 25 December 2026
Episode 2 – Sunday 3 January 2027
Episode 3 – Sunday 10 January 2027
Episode 4 – Sunday 17 January 2027
Episode 5 – Sunday 24 January 2027
Episode 6 – Sunday 31 January 2027
Episode 7 – Sunday 7 February 2027
Episode 8 – Sunday 14 February 2027 (Finale)

What Can We Expect From Harry Potter’s First Season?

The new series will adapt J.K. Rowling’s first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, beginning with Harry discovering that he’s a wizard and receiving his invitation to attend Hogwarts.

The latest trailer has already given fans a look at some of the story’s biggest moments, including Harry meeting Ron and Hermione, the Sorting Ceremony, his first flying lessons and the mystery surrounding the Philosopher’s Stone. We’ve also seen glimpses of the mountain troll, the Mirror of Erised and the giant chess game, suggesting that plenty of the book’s memorable scenes will feature in the adaptation.

Alongside the three young leads, the series stars John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. Lox Pratt will play Draco Malfoy, with Rory Wilmot taking on the role of Neville Longbottom.

With eight episodes dedicated to the first book, the series will have more time to explore Hogwarts, its characters and Harry’s adventures than the original film. HBO has also renewed the series for a second season, which will adapt Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

For CultureCues, we’re counting down the days until we can finally return to Hogwarts, and having the first episode arrive on Christmas Day is a lovely little present. Although, we were quite prepared to spend the entire day watching all eight episodes, preferably with plenty of Christmas chocolate! We’re excited to see what this new cast brings to the story, especially with so much more time to explore Harry’s first year. Now, if only our Hogwarts acceptance letter would arrive. We’ve only been waiting about 20 years!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone premieres Friday 25 December 2026 on HBO Max in the UK and Ireland.