Harry Potter's best future in television is a show focusing on the original Order of the Phoenix, the secret society founded by Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law/Michael Gambon) in the 1970s to oppose Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). With the recent news that HBO Max is developing a new series centered on the Wizarding World, a fan-favorite plot theory is a prequel following the story of Harry’s (Daniel Radcliffe) parents, the Marauders, and the original Order of the Phoenix. This can work very well as there is a myriad of storylines and relationships that can be explored during the First Wizarding War.
Apart from Dumbledore, the original Order of the Phoenix comprised James (Adrian Rawlins) and Lily Potter (Geraldine Somerville), Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), and Frank (James Payton) and Alice Longbottom (Lisa Wood), among others. Aurors from the Ministry of Magic also joined the Order to participate in more secretive, sudden assaults aimed to crush the increasingly threatening Dark Rebellion started by Voldemort. It wasn't until 1981 that Voldemort was ostensibly defeated at the hands of baby Harry, as Sybil Trelawney (Emma Thompson) predicted, "the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies." The Order of the Phoenix was thus active for about a decade, before being reconvened in 1995 following Voldemort's return.
A prequel series focusing on the original Order of the Phoenix would not only connect nicely to well-established fan-favorite characters but would also expand on a lot of complex stories and relationships in the Harry Potter universe. Dumbledore's relationship with Voldemort (having witnessed Tom's sinister transformation) is a rich ground for exploration, and so are the beginnings of the Death Eaters (or the Knights of Walpurgis, as they were first called at Hogwarts). Finally, the Marauders (James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter Pettigrew) joining the Order is a very complex story, as a band of troublemakers turns into the biggest resistance force against Voldemort. Peter's horrifying betrayal (which leads to James and Lily's deaths) can work as the climax of the series, as the show would probably build towards Voldemort's first defeat in 1981.
Apart from the storylines with great potential, an original Order of the Phoenix show can also focus on relationships such as James and Lily Potter and Lily and Severus Snape (Alan Rickman). Snape and Lily's backstory was briefly explored in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (via Pensieve), explaining Snape's undying love for Harry's mother as well as his hatred towards James (who was not only Lily's love interest but Snape's bully at school). The 1970s was the decade Harry's parents and their peers became adults: exploring their transformation (in the context of Voldemort's threat) would draw an excellent parallel to the Harry Potter series.
An original Order of the Phoenix series would also provide viewers with a period piece (which, like Peaky Blinders or Stranger Things, can be a huge hit), putting the familiar characters in a nostalgic scene. What the Fantastic Beasts series is doing at the moment can be further improved by a series filled with fan-favorite characters such as Sirius, Lupin, and Snape. Stories of love, friendship, family, and betrayal can tie together perfectly in a prequel Harry Potter series centered on the First Order of the Phoenix.
