Harry Potter: Books vs Series

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

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Percy Weasley

Played byRuari Spooner
First seasonSeason 1, Philosopher’s Stone
Differences1

In the books

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

“He had already changed into his billowing black Hogwarts robes and Harry noticed a shiny red and gold badge on his chest with the letter P on it.”— PS, ch. 6

In the series

Ruari Spooner plays Percy Weasley in HBO’s series. Differences from the books so far:

Books: after chapter one, the story only shows what Harry sees, so Ron is never seen at home. Series: there is a scene of Ron receiving his Hogwarts letter at the Burrow.

Seen in the trailers:

Official images

Images © HBO. More in official images.

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 · Ginny Weasley · Garrick Ollivander · Filius Flitwick · Pomona Sprout · Rolanda Hooch · Oliver Wood. 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 »

Unofficial fan site. Not affiliated with HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery or J.K. Rowling. Images and videos © HBO / Warner Bros. Discovery.
Book references are to the UK editions: PS = Philosopher's Stone, CoS = Chamber of Secrets. · About this site · Page updated