If This (Harry Potter), Then...

If This (Harry Potter), Then That (Hang On To Your Broomsticks!)…

Since time immemorial, people have sat around and told each other stories about magic. It’s easy to understand, you look up at the night sky, at a forest; and, it’s teeming with the inexplicable; and, that impetus hasn’t changed; although, the medium may have.

More of us may huddle around screens on our phones or computers, than around campfires, especially these days, with the pandemic; and, the days of Appointment Viewing and “Must See TV”, gathered around console televisions, have been replaced by Tweets and blogs of “Did you watch… ?” Nothing’s really changed. We’re still enthralled by stories of magic.

If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter series of books and movies, there are a LOT of other things you might be interested in, as streaming services and studios try to get clicks and eyeballs on their screens, and keep them there.

No doubt, you’ve noticed whenever you long onto a streaming service, or on-line store, the algorithms go into high gear, suggesting things you might like, based on your past history.

Sometimes, the algorithms are right; and, they can come up with some interesting choices; but, sometimes, it reminds me of the servers at the local restaurants, in the before times, who had to memorize the Specials.

As my Uncle, who worked on the road and ate in every roadside eatery on the Eastern seaboard said, "Specials" can often be code, for whatever they’re trying to clear out, before it goes off, to make way for new stock.

And, the algorithms are the same: sometimes, it seems like they’re just suggesting things to clear off their servers, wherever they are, usually in a salt mine somewhere.

That’s understandable: everyone’s got bills to pay; and, wherever the servers are, they don’t run on magic. It may seem like that sometimes; but, they still take electricity, and water, and space, just like everything else.

So, here are a few specific recommendations, for your consideration, of things you might like, if you’re a fan of the Harry Potter movies (2001-2011). Hang on to your broomstick, you have a lot of screen time to catch up on.

Harry Potter: A Brief Introduction:

Just to bring everyone up to speed: for those of you who have been living Under a Rock with Tig Notaro (Engineer Jett Reno, from Star Trek: Discovery), which is a fun, but unrelated show from Funny or Die, where our host tries to guess a celebrities’ claim to fame, with clues from Amazon's Alexa (our sponsor).

Briefly then, Harry Potter is a story about a boy, who finds out he’s a wizard, after another wizard, Lord Voldemort, repeatedly tries to kill him; starting when Harry was a baby.

This is just the latest salvo in a magical war that has been going on for almost a century, as Lord Voldemort tries to become immortal and rule the planet.

(He's the "Big Bad", in the story. Trying to kill him as a baby should have been Harry’s first clue.)

The movies (2001-2011) and books (1997–2007) they're based on, were written by J. K. Rowling, telling how Harry and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, to try to learn enough magic to survive the next attack by the Lord Voldemort, before he takes over the world.

(So, there’s a lot at stake, here.)

Trailer for the Harry Potter Series

First Class: The Worst Witch

The first series to combine school life with magic was The Worst Witch (1974-2018), which is still on-going, by Jill Murphy.

[Although, J. K. Rowling still hasn’t acknowledged it, yet. Jill has said, in interviews, a “Thank You” note would be nice, for breaking the trail.]

The stories focus on Mildred Hubble, a girl with no prior magical experience, who becomes the “Worst Witch” at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches.

With the help of her friends and teachers, she manages to save the school and witching world, despite the prejudices of the posh girls’ clique. (Sound familiar?)

The “Worst Witch” has been adapted into five series:

The Worst Witch (1998–2001), starring Georgina Sherrington and Felicity Jones.

Weirdsister College (1998–2001) a sequel to the 1998 series, with most of the same cast; and, a darker, more mature tone.

The New Worst Witch (2005-2007) a spin-off from the 1998 series, featuring the adventures of Millie and Mona, Mildred and Ethel’s younger sisters.

As well as, a movie The Worst Witch (1986), starring Fairuza Balk, Diana Rigg, Charlotte Rae, and Tim Curry.

And, a stage play by Emma Reeves and Directed by Theresa Heskin, which won The Olivier Award For Best Family Show, in London, in 2020.

The most recent and most accessible is probably Netflix’s version, The Worst Witch (2017-), starring Bella Ramsey (Series 1–3) and Lydia Page (Series 4).

(Bella Ramsey was busy playing Hilda in Netflix’s animated series, about a grade school girl and her friends, and the magical beings they encounter.)

The Worst Witch, Official Trailer, Netflix Features

Headmistress's Office, Fate: The Winx Saga

For a magical school that’s a bit darker, there’s Fate: The Winx Saga, a drama based on the Nickelodeon animated series, Winx Club.

A lot of the scenes are set in the Headmistresses Office.

Be warned, it can be very dark and gory at times; and, fans of the original have expressed frustration with the changes (including inexplicable changes in ethnicity of some characters) from the source material.

Despite the best efforts of the cast, it doesn’t really come together until the last few minutes of the first season, when the characters finally get their wings. (Sorry: Spoilers)

Fate: The Winx Saga, Official Trailer Netflix

For something more faithful to the original anime, fans should like the new animated series.

Winx Club - World of Winx , Official Trailer

Library Period: The Bureau of Magical Things

A fun series, set in a magical library is The Bureau of Magical Things, an Australian magical comedy, about a high school girl, Kyra, who discovers she has magical powers.

In her new classes, she makes friends with fairies and elves. Although, as a human, the magical government wants to wipe her memory and take her powers away. It stars Kimie Tsukakoshi, Elizabeth Cullen, Mia Milnes, and Rainbow Wedell.

Granted, it sounds fairly serious; but, it’s mostly lighthearted fun, in the same vein of Creator Jonathan M. Shiff’s other series about mermaids, (H2O: Just Add Water).

Not to worry, The Bureau of Magical Things has been renewed for a second season; but, production was delayed because of the pandemic.

The Bureau of Magical Things , Nickelodeon Trailer

Free Period: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

For something a LOT darker, there's The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, a supernatural horror series, starring Kiernan Shipka, and streaming on Netflix.

It’s based on Sabrina The Teenage Witch, from the Archie Comics, which debuted in 1962, as a one-off gag. (Guess they were wrong on that.)

But, be warned, this is a reboot, not the comedic character from earlier comics, cartoons, or the live-action series starring Melissa Joan Hart (ABC, 1996–2003, plus three TV movies.)

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Official Trailer Netflix

Addendum: That’s What She Said:

Alas, it’s become impossible to talk about Harry Potter, without acknowledging some of the unfortunate things author, J.K. Rowling, has had to say about Transgender and Gender Identity.

J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking... on Gender Issues

As Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in all the films (2001-2011), posted on The Trevor Project ‘s website:

“To all the people who now feel that their experience of the (Harry Potter) books has been tarnished or diminished... I really hope that you don’t entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you.”

Elective: Another Perspective

Nia Nal/ Dreamer is a transgender character, on the CW series Supergirl, played by Nicole Maines, who is herself transgender.

Nia Nal As Dreamer Interviewed on Supergirl

Alternate:

And, for something a little different, there's the animated series, The Legend of Korra, which follows Korra and her friends, as she develops her skills as the Avatar, who can telekinetically “bend” the four classic elements: earth, fire, air, and water, in their efforts to bring peace to the world.

"Bending" isn't "magical" per se; but, their world, where humans and magical beings try to find peace and balance, is completely immersive.

The Legend of Korra, Trailer

It's no wonder critics are calling this a New Golden Age of Television.

Even the Specials are "Fresh".

Further Reading:

Screen adaptations from books don’t always go well.

The problem is usually too much tinkering from studio suits and bean counters: in their efforts to make the material more accessible to more masses, they end up alienating the original fan base.

A case in point would be the Percy Jackson series. Fans were promised a trilogy; but, were so disappointed with all the changes, that it ended with just two installments. At which point, most fans were relieved rather than disappointed.

There is a Disney+ series in the works now.

Author Rick Riordan has said he has never seen the movies; but, is a consultant on the new Disney+ series; so, that might be one to watch for.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief -Trailer

[Warning: Flashing Lights]

In the interim, there's always reading to do; and, of course, reading isn't just reading anymore: there are eBooks, audiobooks, companion books, and often graphic novels, as well.

In Magnus Chase and The Gods of Asgard, author Rick Riordan, bases the books on Norse mythology.

There is a diverse cast of characters, of different species and ethnicities, including Alex Fierro, a main character who is genderfluid.

Magnus Chase, The Ship of the Dead (Official Trailer)

And, you might like Tamora Pierce’s engaging Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens, available in print, as eBooks, and audiobooks.

Set in a quasi-medieval world, the stories focus on four young mages and their mentors, from wildly diverse backgrounds, who have to work together to survive earthquakes, pirates, wildfires, and plagues.

Trailer for Tamora Pierce's Latest Book

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