5 ways the Harry Potter TV series can be better than the movies

We're not ungrateful. We're hopeful.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

Let's be honest and say that the TV adaptation of Harry Potter is a divisive subject. There are people who hold certain actors sacred, who are so glad they did or did not keep in one plotline from the books, who will die on the hill of one Dumbledore being better than another, etc. Whatever your feelings are, I'd like to talk about five areas in which the series can do greater justice than the movies.

1. Character arcs

Rupert Grint Opens "Harry Potter Store" At FAO Schwarz
Rupert Grint Opens "Harry Potter Store" At FAO Schwarz | Scott Wintrow/GettyImages

For the time that it was given, the series of films did a remarkable job. Daniel, Rupert and Emma played the centra roles with nuances that were both new to each film and showed evolution from what we already saw. Likewise, it was great to see the way Neville's maturation was handled slightly differently in the movies. And I could always talk for a few hours about people like Lucius Malfoy or Professor Dumbledore.

On the other hand, with all the space and time that the TV adaptation will provide, the cast and crew can cover the book material that gives us more of a process. Given proper attention, we won't be blindsided by Ron's feelings of being overshadowed. We can see the way that Harry not only trusts Sirius, but comes to rely on him. Most importantly to me, Dobby's growth from frightened servant to heroic free elf can have the through plot of his finding self-sufficiency.

2. The mysteries

UK: Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban - Party
UK: Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban - Party | Dave M. Benett/GettyImages

I'll admit that I kept reading the Harry Potter series because there was always something to work out in each book. It could be why Professor Snape was trying to get the Philosopher's Stone or why Harry's name was in the Goblet of Fire. If I had to re-discover a plot all over again, it would be either who the Marauders were or the identity of the Half-Blood Prince.

In the movies, these plots were sometimes cut down if they were mentioned at all. The Shrieking Shack almost entirely left out the Animagus plotline. Harry had a few brushes with the Half-Blood Prince name, but didn't rely on the unknown person's advice in the same way. Mad-Eye Moody's tenure as a professor was severely short-changed. Just think of the tension that would build in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire adaptation if the TV series included all of the warning signs in the wizarding world and kept the identity of the person who cast the Dark Mark a mystery. We should look forward to Harry, Ron, and Hermione's conflicting quests to hunt the Horcruxes and make sense of the Deathly Hallows.

3. The music

John Williams
John Williams And “The President's Own” Concert | Shannon Finney/GettyImages

Before you call for me to be chucked in Azkaban, don't mistake me. I love the work of the films' composers dearly. I can play Hedwig's Theme and Hogwarts Hymn. I sing along to the soundtracks and analyze the heavy-handed use of Voldemort's leitmotif in the second movie.

It's going to be great to hear the music for each character or relationship recurring throughout the seasons. We don't know what the Hermione music will sound like in the seventh story vs. what plays when she shows up on the Hogwarts Express. I hope that friends' themes play off of each other and that there are hidden clues in the music that will make sense much later.

4. The organizations

Toys 'R' Us Hosts Release Party for 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
Toys 'R' Us Hosts Release Party for 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" | James Devaney/GettyImages

Obviously, the titular group in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is at the top of my list, but I'm interested in SPEW and Dumbledore's Army. I want to see more representation for the Quidditch teams and, yes, even the Gobstones Club.

Each of the groups in the books has an effect on someone. Hermione relentlessly being concerned about elf rights is something that should be recognized, especially if we're to see the way that Hogwarts involves house elves. The public and private interactions of Order members is worth following throughout the latter three books. And Dumbledore's Army has a short-lived use, but there is so much of the anti-Umbridge movement that organizes around those students and they play a key role in the finale.

5. The love stories

Bonnie Wright
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" UK Premiere - Arrivals | Mike Marsland/GettyImages

Love is brought up so many times in the series that there should be a game associated with it. Yet we get hints of crushes, out-of-the-blue invitations to the Yule Ball, and weddings we didn't see coming in the films.

I do want to see Bill and Fleur get together the long way around. Tonks and Lupin have a beautiful story of overcoming biases and bigotry to find happiness. Hary and Ginny get together after years of being with other people. Ron and Hermione don't suddenly snog in the Chamber of Secrets. All of these things are worth building up to.

Best of luck to HBO and the creatives behind this project. I have high hopes for what they'll do.