HBO is intensifying its promotion for the upcoming reboot of Harry Potter, including the release of the first trailer for the series this week. On paper, it appears to be a solid adaptation of J.K. Rowling​​​​​’s novels. However, the trailer has faced significant criticism, with many detractors noting that this story has been told before, and better, when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone premiered in theaters in 2001. Twenty-five years later, the Harry Potter films continue to cast a long shadow over HBO’s reboot, and a recent revelation only reinforces this point.

During the “Back to Hogwarts” event, which celebrates the in-universe day when Harry Potter first attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, HBO unveiled the designs for Hogwarts’s four houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. HBO has adopted a more minimalist design approach, showcasing each House’s signature animal and a unique font. However, fans have given a mixed reception, stating that the designs fall short compared to the coat of arms each House received in the films. This highlights that HBO’s biggest challenge will be finding ways to distinguish itself from the previous adaptation.

The ‘Harry Potter’ Movies Established a Visual Language That Still Looms Large

Bringing the Wizarding World to life was no easy task, but production designer Stuart Craig was more than capable when it came to the Harry Potter films. Over a decade, Craig helped establish a visual language still used today. This includes the castle where Hogwarts is located, the coat of arms for each house, and locations like the mysterious Room of Requirement. Another key figure who contributed to making Harry Potter visually distinctive is Jany Temime, who began designing costumes for the series with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Temime’s choices had a significant impact on the franchise, particularly with her design for Hogwarts’ school robes:

“I started doing colors, then I wanted to [use] a [wizard’s robe], which was really glamorous — something they would put on and feel immediately special. So, we designed the [robe], and I put a hood on the back of it. I put a collar inside [so] that you could see the houses and the diversification of the kids in a big crowd. Then there’s the ties. I made them silk because I thought they made a better knot.”

This design has influenced how Harry Potter’s world is depicted, especially in the books themselves. Harry’s design transitioned from a simple cape to more formal school robes starting with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and that same approach is evident in HBO’s series costume design. It also raises an important question: How can HBO’s interpretation of Harry Potter visually differentiate itself from the films?? Given that there are plans for the series to run for a decade, it’s crucial for the network to address this question promptly.