The Harry Potter TV remake that’s coming to HBO has a lot riding on it, as dedicated fans of the books and movie series have high expectations. However, the TV show has the opportunity to expand on minor characters and story mysteries that are left underdeveloped by the existing content. Including additional information and backstories will answer questions that have been left open-ended for years and make Harry’s journey all the more satisfying. Since audiences are already familiar with the basics of the Harry Potter series, the new show has the ability to experiment with new ideas.

The Harry Potter TV remake can rescue characters the books and movies got wrong, which will change how audiences view them forever. There are great examples of characters who are developed methodically throughout the story. However, many of the supporting roles and those who are more morally gray are denied complex analysis and backstory. This is unfortunate, as characters whose loyalties shift are some of the most interesting. The staunch heroism of Harry and his allies is admirable, but it doesn’t leave room for a nuanced conversation about right and wrong.

I Hope HBO’s Harry Potter Remake Actually Shows Regulus Black’s Backstory

Focusing on childhood, indoctrination into the Death Eaters, and later betrayal.

Sirius’ brother, Regulus Black, was a character who intrigued me based on his sudden and mysterious betrayal of Voldemort. Though I only learned about him after his death, it’s revealed that he masterminded the switch of Voldemort’s locket in the cave. Though Harry is furious about this in the books, throughout The Deathly Hallows, he realizes that the mysterious RAB from the note in the locket has left clues and is more closely connected to Harry than he realized. What little we learn of Regulus is shrouded in grief and deception, as Regulus was a young man when he died.

Though Sirius rarely discusses his family or childhood with Harry, it’s clear that there was no love lost between the Black brothers. The fact that they never got to reunite and learn that they were on the same side deeply affected me as a reader. Whoever plays Sirius will have a tough job as the adult characters in the Harry Potter TV remake will be more important than even the actors cast as the Golden Trio. It should be through Sirius and the Black’s House Elf Kreacher that the audience learns more about Regulus’ brief life.

The Movies & Books Don’t Spend Enough Time On Regulus Black Or His Redemption

His arc demonstrates that it’s possible to change and become better.

One of the problems that I have with the Harry Potter books and movies, in general, is that the Slytherins and the children of Death Eaters are too quickly characterized as villains. It’s obvious, even through the few details we learn about Regulus, that he was just as pressured to join Voldemort’s forces as Sirius was. I can assume that Sirius’ rebellion was part of the reason Regulus couldn’t disobey. Canonically, Regulus joined the Death Eaters before he was eighteen, and this is far too young for a person to be blamed for choices they were coerced into making.

Harry and his friends largely forget about Regulus after they destroy the locket, even though we are still interested in learning more.

Though the books touch upon what happened to Regulus after he stole the locket and placed it in the cave in more depth than the movies, there still isn’t enough information. Additionally, Harry and his friends largely forget about Regulus after they destroy the locket, even though we are still interested in learning more. I was deeply saddened by the fact that Regulus was considered a stalwart Death Eater long after he switched allegiances and that Harry didn’t do more to correct the assumption that Regulus was on the wrong side of history.

Why RAB Needs A Greater Focus In The Harry Potter TV Remake

His part in destroying the Horcruxes and helping Harry is bigger than audiences realize.

Regulus and his backstory draw parallels to Draco Malfoy, a character I believe should be remembered more empathetically. A forgotten part of Draco’s backstory in Harry Potter demonstrates that, like Regulus, he struggled with his home life and later used his connection to the Death Eaters to prove his loyalty to his family. Later in the series, Draco proves himself to me, and though he isn’t perfect, he does turn out better than his parents did, getting the redemption Regulus never had. Focusing more deeply on this similarity between Draco and Regulus could allow the series to expand Regulus’ story.

Like Draco, it’s thanks to Regulus that Harry is set on his path to finding the Horcruxes. I find it admirable that Regulus gives up his life and his family to do what he thought was right, as this is one of the most noble sacrifices in the series. Additionally, the fact that Regulus realized Voldemort’s weak spots and hatched a plan to exploit them demonstrates an intelligence and ability far beyond any discussions of him in the books or movies. When watching the Harry Potter series, I’ll be waiting to see if Regulus gets his due.