Harry Potter actor Gary Oldman has weighed in on the upcoming television adaptation of JK Rowling’s hit novels, explaining why he thinks the series will be “more satisfying” than the films.
Production is currently underway on HBO’s star-studded show, which will see a fresh crop of young stars play The Boy Who Lived and his Hogwarts schoolmates, while the likes of John Lithgow and Katherine Parkinson have also landed roles.
Oldman, who played the much-loved Sirius Black in the original films, appears to have given the series backing – highlighting how much material from the books was absent from the movies.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the Slow Horses star explained: “We had to cut a lot, and still we could only get the films down to, like, three hours.
“I believe [the TV series is] gonna do it pretty much word-for-word, which I think, as a viewer, would be more satisfying.”
open image in galleryOldman also said “a lot of character detail was sacrificed” in the films, adding: “So I wish them luck with it.”
The 68-year-old made his debut as Harry’s imprisoned godfather Sirius in the third film of the franchise, 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. He then reprised the role in The Goblet of Fire (2005), The Order of the Phoenix (2007) and the final instalment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 in 2011.
The films omitted a number of key details about Oldman’s Harry Potter character, never fully explaining that he, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin created the Marauder’s Map, and skipping over large chunks of his life on the run.
Other key moments left out included Neville Longbottom making an emotional visit to see his parents, who had been tortured into insanity by Bellatrix Lestrange, and much of Voldemort’s family history and backstory.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
open image in galleryHBO has yet to announce who will play Black in the TV drama. The character is not expected to appear in the show until it reaches the third book.
Cast members who have been confirmed so far include John Lithgow, who will be playing Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu (Severus Snape), Katherine Parkinson (Molly Weasley) and Nick Frost (Hagrid).
Just one star from the films has been confirmed as making a return: Warwick Davis will be back as Professor Filius Flitwick.
Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will play Harry, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively.
The series is set to premiere on HBO Max on Christmas Day.