HBO has made an exciting announcement regarding the upcoming Harry Potter TV series by unveiling the first six cast members.
The network shared the names of the actors who will portray iconic characters like Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid, and Minerva McGonagall in this much-anticipated television adaptation of the cherished Harry Potter universe.
Each season of the show is planned to closely follow JK Rowling’s novels, with each book being adapted into its own season. Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO, David Zaslav, had previously mentioned in 2024 that the series is scheduled to premiere in 2026.
New actors will step into the roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, roles originally played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in the film series. Additional actors will take on the parts of other significant characters.
The series was officially announced in 2023, with promises of a ‘faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer JK Rowling’.
The eagerly awaited series is expected to have a runtime of at least ten years.
“We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life,” stated Francesca Gardiner, the showrunner and executive producer, alongside Mark Mylod, a director of several episodes and also an executive producer, as reported by The Independent.
In this revelation, HBO disclosed that Nick Frost will portray the half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, succeeding the late Robbie Coltrane in the role.
Following the casting news, Frost expressed on Instagram: “Thank you for trusting me with such a loyal, gentle and courageous half-giant like Rubeus Hagrid. Robbie, I promise I won’t let you down.”
John Lithgow, an Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner, has been chosen to play Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, even though Mark Rylance was rumored to be a favorite for the role.
Richard Harris was the first to portray Dumbledore in the initial two films, with Michael Gambon taking over for the remainder of the series.
Jude Law also took on the character of a younger Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts films.
Lithgow announced his casting earlier in the month, expressing that the news ‘came as a total surprise to me’.
He shared with Screenrant: “I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid.
“But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision.
“I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
The role of Minerva McGonagall, formerly played by Dame Smith, will be taken on by Golden Globe winner, Janet McTeer.
McTeer’s casting follows reports that Sharon Horgan and Rachel Weisz were considered for the part.
The cast also includes Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, the caretaker at Hogwarts, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape.
Fans took to Twitter to express their excitement about the casting news.
“All of them have really big shoes to fill,” one fan commented.
“Wow, that’s a solid casting line-up for the Harry Potter TV series,” added another.
“Ain’t no way they dropped a lineup like that… Nick Frost as Hagrid is wild, but Paapa Essiedu as Snape? This finna be a whole new vibe,” someone else remarked. “HBO not playin.”
“Great castings but we are still waiting on the big three,” noted another fan.