Everything We Know About HBO Harry Potter Series Cast

Potterheads are you thrilled enough? If not then the new announcement from HBO can take care of it. The wizarding world is coming back to our screens, and this time through new eyes. HBO’s big and bold reimagining of the Harry Potter series is gearing up for a ten-year commitment to the world of Harry and his friends, as each season will be dedicated to telling a story from J.K. Rowling’s seven novels. As excitement builds up, the network has released a list of actors who will carry on the legacy this time.

A New Beginning in the Hogwarts School

Albus Dumbledore: The most notable headmaster of Hogwarts will be played by John Lithgow ( six-time Emmy winner, The Crown and Dexter)
Minerva McGonagall: The stern Deputy Headmistress/ministry combatant will be role-played by Janet McTeer (Tony and Olivier Award winner)
Severus Snape: Accolades abound for Paapa Essiedu, who is well known for roles in I May Destroy You and Gangs of London and now takes on the widely complex and mystical role of Potions Master.
Rubeus Hagrid: The equally beloved and obnoxiously funny, Nick Frost of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, will play Hogwarts resident half-giant gamekeeper.
Professor Quirrell: Luke Thallon is one the Royal Shakespeare Company newest rising stars, playing a nervous professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Argus Filch: Paul Whitehouse, will role-play the cantankerous Caretaker of Hogwarts, I’m sure on the basis of experience and value-added by a veteran comedian.

Quest for the Golden Trio Ensues

As the adult casting is coming together, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley remain uncast. HBO commissioned a vast search, reportedly sifting through over 30,000 auditions, to find young actors to play the trio. The network is looking to cast age-appropriate, relatively unknown actors, similar to what was done with the original film series.

Behind the Scenes: Who Steers the Wheel?

The team behind the project is solid:

Francesca Gardiner, who has worked on shows like His Dark Materials and Killing Eve, will be the showrunner and executive producer.
Mark Mylod, who has directed episodes for Succession, is directing multiple episodes, bringing his talents to the land of magic.

J.K. Rowling will continue as executive producer to keep the property true to its original vision.

Controversies and Backlashes

The casting of Paapa Essiedu for the role of Severus Snape has garnered a severe backlash from the fans. Especially from the late Alan Rickman fans. An instagram user even stepped in to comment that, ‘These people never learn anything from Snow White’. As if to say they hate the casting that ain’t….conventional to the role. Anyway let’s see how the franchise fares this time huh?

Despite all these potterheads would always board the 9 ¾ enroute to their favorite school of witchcraft and wizardry.

What Lies Ahead?

The goal of HBO’s adaptation is to go beyond the surface of the wizarding world by providing a full-treatment of the characters and storylines. This will allow for a more cinematic exploration of the source material by giving each book its own season while also allowing for prior omitted details and subplots to be included. The production team will commit to canonically aged characters, thus emulating the original novels at a much closer proximity.

Filming is slated to start in the summer of 2025, with the series premiering in 2026. As casting continues and production prepares, fans will get an opportunity to once again return to Hogwarts and enjoy the magic of the wizarding world. Stay with us for updates as HBO brings the wizarding world to life with new faces and new storytelling.