How the Harry Potter TV series can regain respectability
The Harry Potter TV series trailer dropped in March and it was a hit as long as you ignored arguably the worst casting decision of all time.
We’ve now had over a week to process the Harry Potter TV series trailer. While I saw a lot of negativity online, I thought the trailer was badass. Of course, Black Snape was worse than I imagined, sporting dreadlocks and a track suit-like attire in a later still. Though the track suit could be Quidditch gear, since it’s implied the still came following Gryffindor’s Quidditch win over Hufflepuff.
Truth be told, Paapa Essiedu’s unofficial “debut” as Snape couldn’t have gone worse. But here’s the skinny: we still haven’t heard Essiedu speak any lines. One can only hope that he plays “Book Snape” as opposed to “Alan Rickman’s Snape.”
If he does that, then the series will be more than fine. More than fine because like it or not, it’s going to be fine. But that doesn’t mean fans will respect it. So, how can it turn things around other than Essiedu portraying the short-tempered, unhinged, and somewhat violent “Book Snape?”
Show us what Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone told us
I’ve seen some commentators bash this concept. Still, one wonders whether they’re sincere, or if they’re bashing just to get views. Funny, because those are the same people screaming “cash grab” at the top of their lungs. But I guess it’s “okay for me, but not for thee.”
A few stills implied this. There’s one of Dumbledore seemingly on a beach, Ron looking as though he’s at home, and in the trailer, Petunia cutting Harry’s hair. That’s all told or just implied in the books. I’d also love to see Voldemort leaving Quirrell to die, Voldemort’s attack on the Potters — kind of shown in the films and not shown until Deathly Hallows in the books — and Malfoy entering Diagon Alley.
👉 Hit The Rebel Lore Vault to discover a few Potter-like inspirations
Keep the characters like their book counterparts
Already discussed with Essiedu’s Snape. But for the love of God, can we please see a calm Dumbledore? That means righting a wrong when Goblet of Fire rolls around.
That won’t be easy for Nick Frost, who’s portraying Hagrid. Robbie Coltrane hit a home run there. But we can stand to see a stricter, more no-nonsense McGonagall. Something Maggie Smith never drove completely home in the movies despite her excellent portrayal.
Of course, there’s Ron and Hermione. The films did neither character justice, portraying Ron as an idiot half the time while Hermione was more hard-nosed. This isn’t criticism–it’s an opportunity for the TV show to be that “faithful adaptation” to the books.
Expand fan-favorite characters
If you want “representation,” this is where it needed to be. Not race-swapping an important character like Snape. Take one look at Dean Thomas’ backstory, and you’ll see where I’m going with this. Inserting it into the series at some point would be straight up fire.
Or Blaise Zabini? His backstory is also interesting. Then there’s Lee Jordan, whose role the movies kept to a minimum. Being the Weasley Twins’ best friend, it’d be easy to fit Lee into the equation.
Do some characters justice that the films never did
Ginny Weasley is the first one who comes to my mind. She’s background noise in the movies, and her eventual relationship with Harry made no sense. Let’s see the cool, popular Ginny who ultimately attracted Harry.
Cedric Diggory hardly got a passing look in Prisoner of Azkaban, and it wasn’t until Goblet of Fire did Robert Pattinson portray him. Setting the stage more in POA would be perfect — especially since Diggory is a fan favorite.
Give us Lord Voldemort’s backstory
The biggest crime in the film series was the truncated backstory for Lord Voldemort. Movie watchers barely knew Voldemort as anything more than your stereotypical villain, but his backstory makes him more complex.
When the series lives long enough for Half-Blood Prince to roll around, we need more Pensieve scenes. Show fans who have never read the books Voldemort’s rise to power, and that alone would give this series more than the right to exist.
Speaking of Lord Voldemort and messed-up backstories
What if I told you I have a Harry Potter-inspired book on the horizon? The Arcane Prophecy won’t thrust you into a magical world, but Yote Diamondback’s got one hell of a tale to tell.
Instead of a lightning-shaped scar on her forehead, she has a pentagram on her right forearm. She also shares a birthday with Lord Voldemort, and if she went to Hogwarts, her last name alone tells you she’d be in Slytherin.
As the subeading implies, Yote’s got a backstory that might even make Voldemort’s desirable. You’ll never know that when you read the first three chapters that I cooked up. But trust me. You get to the end of The Arcane Prophecy, and you’ll where I’m going with this.
👉 Check out the sample now and if it looks good, check out the book at The Rebel Lore Vault.
