The first review is in for HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot.15 years on from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011), HBO is rebooting the wizarding world from scratch. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout take over as Harry, Hermione, and Ron, with Season 1 – officially titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – following Harry’s first year at Hogwarts when it premieres this Christmas.Credit: HBOThe reboot is designed as a more expansive adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books, restoring characters and storylines cut from the films while fleshing out certain plot points such as Harry’s pre-Hogwarts years and the life of Nicolas Flamel. John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, and Nick Frost lead the adult cast as Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, and Hagrid, respectively.The reboot has proven divisive for several reasons. Some fans question the need to remake such a beloved and successful film series that only ended in 2011, while casting choices — particularly Paapa Essiedu as Snape — have triggered intense backlash and even racist abuse. J.K. Rowling’s connection to the series has also drawn criticism over her views on transgender issues (and her shade towards the films’ stars, particularly Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson).Credit: HBOEarly footage has drawn mixed reviews – but according to the first review of Season 1, fans have good reason to be optimistic.First Review Arrives for ‘Harry Potter’ RebootHBO boss Casey Bloys has shared his verdict on Season 1 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Bloys revealed that he has seen the entire first season and is extremely satisfied with the results.Credit: HBO“It is great, and I’m very, very happy,” he said. “So, I feel really, really good about that.”Of course, as chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content – and set to take the reins of streaming operations at both Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery when the two officially merge on October 6 (via Deadline) – Bloys is unlikely to criticize an upcoming project.However, the first trailers do give fans good reason to get excited.The biggest reason for optimism is how much more room the series seems willing to give the book. The trailers show Harry being chased by Dudley’s gang at Muggle school, Petunia cutting his hair, and Harry and Hagrid riding the London Underground — all details either skipped or heavily condensed by the films.Hogwarts also looks familiar without simply recreating the movies. Footage has shown a redesigned Entrance Hall, Professor Sprout’s greenhouse, the Sorting Ceremony, and Harry’s first Quidditch match, while smaller touches include Dumbledore’s half-moon spectacles, dirt on Ron’s nose, and newly designed Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.Most importantly, the footage suggests HBO understands what it can do differently. The story is firmly rooted in the 1990s, with period clothing and styling, while scenes such as Hagrid discussing James and Lily (whose actors have yet to be revealed) give quieter character moments more space. That combination of extra detail and book accuracy does, for dedicated fans of the books, justify telling the story for a second time.HBO is already moving ahead with Season 2, months before the first episode airs. The next chapter adapts Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, with filming taking place in the village of Latimer, Buckinghamshire, in September. Season 1 writer Jon Brown has also been promoted to co-showrunner alongside Francesca Gardiner to help manage the overlapping productions.However, Bloys has warned fans not to expect a new season every year, with Season 2 reportedly not premiering in 2027.Are you excited for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone?The post First Review Arrives for ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot, 2 Months Before Premiere appeared first on Inside the Magic.