HBO releases second trailer for Harry Potter series with new footage

HBO has issued a second trailer for its upcoming adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel, offering new footage of the core characters during Harry’s first year at Hogwarts. The preview includes spoken lines for Harry, Ron, Hermione and several professors, and depicts moments such as Harry under the Sorting Hat, a Quidditch match and an encounter with Professor Snape.

The visual style of the trailer appears more vibrant than the earlier teaser, with production values that resemble the franchise’s film adaptations. HBO also updated the series description, noting that Harry receives a mysterious letter to Hogwarts that leads him into a world of magic, friendship and hidden dangers, and that he must confront a dark wizard.

The cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid and Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, among others. The series is written and executive-produced by Francesca Gardiner, with Mark Mylod directing several episodes. Executive producers also include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts and David Heyman.

The eight-part series is scheduled to debut on HBO on Dec. 25.