Harry Potter enthusiasts are voicing concerns over the upcoming HBO series set to debut soon.
Although the beloved films featuring Daniel Radcliffe as Harry have concluded, fans eager for more adventures from the Wizarding World are in for a treat.
Last month, HBO officially announced the casting of its new central Hogwarts student trio for the TV adaptation.
Dominic McLaughlin will portray Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton is set to play Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will assume the role of Ron Weasley.
The casting choices have been well-received, as fans applaud HBO for selecting relatively new actors for these iconic roles. McLaughlin appeared in the Sky comedy “Grow,” Stanton was Matilda in “Matilda: The Musical” on the West End between 2023 and 2024, and this will be Stout’s first significant role.
On June 9, HBO revealed nine new cast members, including those portraying Molly Weasley, the Dursley parents, and members of the Malfoy family.
The casting of the Dursley family has sparked debate among fans, with many expressing their opinions on platforms like Twitter.
Harry’s aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley, who reluctantly take him in after his parents’ demise, will be portrayed by Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby in the series. Fiona Shaw and Richard Griffiths brought these characters to life in the original films.
Powley is recognized for her roles in “White Boy Rick,” “The Diary of a Teenage Girl,” and “The King of Staten Island,” while Rigby is known for his work in “Renegade Nell” and “I, Jack Wright.”
Some fans are not pleased with the casting decision, questioning whether the actors are too youthful to portray the Dursleys. “Aren’t they a bit ‘young’ for the roles?” one fan tweeted. Another commented, “Elder Dursleys and they’re 33??” A third remarked, “Definitely not what I was expecting, but interesting nonetheless.”
Previously, HBO disclosed the casting for six prominent roles, including those of Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid, and Minerva McGonagall. Nick Frost is set to portray Rubeus Hagrid, while Emmy and Golden Globe winner John Lithgow will take on the role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Additionally, Golden Globe recipient Janet McTeer will succeed Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House.