001
Snape’s skin colour
DifferentBooks: Snape has “sallow skin” (PS, ch. 7). Series: he is played by Paapa Essiedu, a Black British actor.
Home › Every difference
“A faithful adaptation”
HBO promised “a faithful adaptation” of the books.
15 differences so far · before a single episode has aired
What was promised
“Each season will be authentic to the original books.” — Max, series announcement, 12 April 2023 [source]
“Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series.” — J.K. Rowling, 12 April 2023 [source]
“The series will be a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books.” — HBO, 26 June 2024 [source]
“She feels very strongly that she needs to honor the books. I don’t think she’s going to be a shaker-upper, a provocateur.” — Producer Sally Woodward Gentle on showrunner Francesca Gardiner, December 2024 [source]
This is what changed.
Whole series
Applies to every season.
002
Harry’s eye colour
DifferentBooks: Harry has “bright green eyes”, inherited from his mother (PS, ch. 2). Series: Dominic McLaughlin’s eyes appear blue in promotional images.
015
Ron’s eye colour
DifferentBooks: the books never say, but J.K. Rowling has: “Ron’s eyes are blue” (interview with The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet, 16 July 2005 [source]). Series: Alastair Stout’s eyes are brown in his character poster.
003
Wand design
Not in the booksBooks: wands are described only by wood, core and length, with no handles or carving (PS, ch. 5). Series: wands have distinct handles and decorative designs.
004
School uniforms
DifferentBooks: the Hogwarts letter asks for “three sets of plain work robes (black)” (PS, ch. 5). Series: the uniforms in the trailers follow the design of the films.
Season 1: Philosopher’s Stone
005
Harry’s Muggle school
Told, not shownBooks: Harry’s primary school is only mentioned in passing (PS, chs. 2–3). Series: the first trailer opens with Dudley bullying Harry at school.
006
Harry’s glasses
DifferentBooks: Harry wears “round glasses held together with a lot of Sellotape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose” (PS, ch. 2). Series: his glasses in the trailers are not taped.
007
The haircut
DifferentBooks: Aunt Petunia cuts Harry’s hair so short that he is almost bald, apart from his fringe, and it grows back overnight (PS, ch. 2). Series: after the haircut, Harry’s hair is far from almost bald.
008
Harry cries in front of the Dursleys
Not in the booksBooks: Harry never cries in front of the Dursleys. Series: the trailers show him crying in front of them.
009
Ron at the Burrow
ExpandedBooks: 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.
010
Dumbledore in private
Not in the booksBooks: after chapter one, Dumbledore is only seen when Harry is present. Series: there are scenes of Dumbledore without Harry.
011
Harry in McGonagall’s office
DifferentBooks: after Harry’s first flying lesson, McGonagall fetches Oliver Wood from a classroom and talks to them both in an empty classroom (PS, ch. 9). Series: Harry has a conversation with McGonagall in her office.
012
The Quidditch banner
DifferentBooks: for Harry’s first match, his friends paint a banner reading “Potter for President”, and Hermione enchants it so the paint flashes different colours (PS, ch. 11). Series: the banner Hermione enchants does not say “Potter for President”.
013
Lucius Malfoy appears early
Moved from a later bookBooks: Lucius Malfoy first appears in the second book (CoS, ch. 4). Series: he already appears in season 1.
014
The Flamels appear on screen
Told, not shownBooks: Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel are only mentioned (PS, chs. 13, 17). Series: both appear as characters.
