Harry Potter: Books vs Series

Books vs Series · The unofficial guide to HBO's Harry Potter

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Oliver Wood

Played byOrson Matthews
First seasonSeason 1, Philosopher’s Stone
Differences0

In the books

This is how J.K. Rowling describes Oliver Wood in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone:

“But Wood turned out to be a person, a burly fifth-year boy who came out of Flitwick’s class looking confused.”— PS, ch. 9

In the series

Orson Matthews plays Oliver Wood in HBO’s series. Differences from the books so far:

No differences recorded yet. They will be added here as the episodes air.

Seen in the trailers:

  • The Gryffindor team, which he captains in the book, huddles in the changing rooms before a match (second teaser).

Other characters

Harry Potter · Hermione Granger · Ron Weasley · Albus Dumbledore · Minerva McGonagall · Severus Snape · Rubeus Hagrid · Draco Malfoy · Vernon Dursley · Petunia Dursley · Dudley Dursley · Neville Longbottom · Quirinus Quirrell · Molly Weasley · Percy Weasley · Ginny Weasley · Garrick Ollivander · Filius Flitwick · Pomona Sprout · Rolanda Hooch. See also the full cast.

Premiere

25 Decon HBO Max

Books vs Series

Difference 001 of 15

Snape’s skin colour

Books: Snape has “sallow skin” (PS, ch. 7).

Series: he is played by Paapa Essiedu, a Black British actor.

All 15 differences »

Posters

Harry character poster, HBO's Harry Potter
Harry

All posters »

Latest updates

10 November 2026
Snape actor Paapa Essiedu told Vanity Fair he still doesn’t really know what happens in Deathly Hallows, and was baffled by Dumbledore’s death. More »

9 November 2026
New difference: Ron’s eye colour. J.K. Rowling has said Ron’s eyes are blue; in his character poster they are brown. More »

9 November 2026
Character posters of Harry, Hermione and Ron, added to the posters page and their character pages. More »

8 November 2026
New: a page for each episode of season 1, with the chapters it is likely to cover, and an About page. More »

All news »

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Book references are to the UK editions: PS = Philosopher's Stone, CoS = Chamber of Secrets. · About this site · Page updated