Following today's trailer debut, HBO has released new stills from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (via SFFGazette.com). Most focus on the Sorting Hat ceremony, taking us inside Hogwarts' iconic Great Hall.
We also get to see more of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, as well as characters like Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. There's even a glimpse of The Burrow—revealing a scene not featured in the books—and Hagrid's Hut, with Nick Frost's transformation front and centre.
The biggest talking point, however, is our first look at Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell. He's the villain in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and as we're sure you'll recall—and this is your spoiler alert for a 29-year-old book and a 25-year-old movie—what remains of Lord Voldemort is hidden beneath his turban.
While Voldemort doesn't physically appear in the books until the fourth instalment, The Goblet of Fire, his snake-like face is shown on the back of Professor Quirrell's head in The Philosopher's Stone. A younger version of the villain—Hogwarts student Tom Riddle—is also a big part of The Chamber of Secrets. It seems safe to assume then that an actor has been cast as Voldemort for Season 1 of the series.
Quirrell is the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during Harry Potter’s first year.
A pale, nervous man who speaks with a stammer and wears a distinctive purple turban, Quirrell appears timid and easily frightened. He claims to have acquired his nervous disposition after a traumatic encounter with a vampire during travels abroad.
In reality, he is a complex and tragic figure whose ambition and weakness lead him into a dangerous alliance with the Dark Lord, making him one of the more memorable (and unsettling) characters of Harry’s early Hogwarts years.
Check out these newly released stills from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone below.
"There is nothing special about Harry Potter - at least that's what his Aunt Petunia always says," reads the synopsis. "On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic. But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past."
The main cast of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy.
Rounding out the supporting cast are Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley, Leigh Gill as Griphook, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
The series, based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, is written and executive-produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will executive-produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The series is executive-produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres on HBO Max this Christmas.