Gary Oldman has weighed in on HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series, and he is convinced it will beat the films at their own game. The actor who played Sirius Black across multiple movies says the TV adaptation will be “more satisfying” for fans because it can do the books “pretty much word-for-word.”
Oldman made the comments during a new interview with Entertainment Weekly. He pointed to the films’ tight constraints as the reason the TV series will outshine them. “We had to cut a lot, and still we could only get the films down to, like, three hours,” he said. “I believe [the TV series is] gonna do it pretty much word-for-word, which I think, as a viewer, would be more satisfying.”
What Oldman Said About the Films
Oldman’s Sirius Black first appeared in 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. He returned for cameos in 2005’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2007’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2.
The actor acknowledged that the film series had to leave a lot of the books behind. “A lot of character detail was sacrificed,” he said. That detail, he believes, is something the TV series can return to.
Oldman was also grateful for his time on the franchise. He called it a “phenomenon” and said, “I don’t think you’re ever gonna see again.” He singled out director Chris Columbus, who set up the world and cast the initial ensemble. “When you think of that initial cast, someone in the story who doesn’t get a lot of credit anymore is Chris Columbus, who set the world up and cast it,” he said. “We were extraordinarily lucky to have those people come back again, and again, and again, and literally grow into those roles.”
The Cast of the TV Series
The TV series stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. John Lithgow plays Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer plays Minerva McGonagall. Paapa Essiedu takes on Severus Snape, and Nick Frost appears as Rubeus Hagrid.
Rory Wilmot plays Neville Longbottom, and Lox Pratt plays Draco Malfoy. Leo Earley appears as Seamus Finnigan, Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, and Gabriel Harland as George Weasley. Ruari Spooner plays Percy Weasley, Alessia Leoni plays Parvati Patil, and Sienna Moosah plays Lavender Brown. Finn Stephens plays Vincent Crabbe, William Nash plays Gregory Goyle, Warwick Davis plays Filius Flitwick, and Sirine Saba plays Pomona Sprout.
That is a large ensemble, and Oldman’s point about character detail returning applies to all of them. The TV series has room to expand backstory, relationships, and smaller moments that the films could not fit.
Comparing Film and TV
| Format | Runtime | Source Material |
|---|---|---|
| Films | Three hours total | Adapted from the books |
| TV Series | Undisclosed | Word-for-word adaptation |
Oldman’s prediction rests on a simple idea: more detail is better. The films had to strip away layers to fit the story into a manageable runtime. The TV series can keep those layers intact.
The comparison is stark. The films are locked into a compressed format that forces cuts. The TV series is free to follow the books closely.
Oldman is not saying the TV series will be better than the films. He is saying it can be more faithful. Faithfulness is a high bar, and it is one the TV series has committed to.
The series is scheduled to debut at Christmas 2026 on HBO and stream on HBO Max. The first episode will adapt Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, with the logline describing a letter of admission to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opening the door to a world of magic, friendship, and adventure.
Oldman’s cameo appearances across the films made him a familiar face to fans. His faith in the project is notable, given his experience with the films’ limitations.
The TV series has a clear path forward. It has a committed approach to the books and a strong cast. Oldman believes it can deliver on that promise.
Whether he is right remains to be seen.
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