The first major casting wave for HBO’s Harry Potter series is in, and the small screen’s wizarding world is starting to take shape. While a few of these names had been circulating in recent reports, HBO has now officially confirmed the line-up — and it’s a mix of stage legends, screen veterans, and rising stars stepping into some of the most recognisable roles in fantasy fiction.
The Cast
John Lithgow will take on the role of Albus Dumbledore, joined by Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Hagrid. All four are confirmed as series regulars. Rounding out the current cast are Luke Thallon, who will play Professor Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as caretaker Argus Filch.
We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life,” said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod in a joint statement.
A Reintroduction to Hogwarts
Billed as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s novels, the new series is expected to devote each season to a single book. While specifics are still under wraps, HBO previously suggested the series will unfold over a decade, allowing more room to explore the source material’s detail and depth. The Fantastic Beasts spin-offs won’t be part of this series, though references may appear much like they did in the original films.
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Casting is still underway for the central trio — Harry, Ron, and Hermione — with the search currently focused on children aged 9 to 11. Filming is set to begin this summer at Leavesden Studios, just outside London, where the original eight films were shot and where the official Harry Potter studio tour now resides.
Francesca Gardiner (His Dark Materials) is leading the project as writer and showrunner, with Mark Mylod (Succession, The Menu, Game of Thrones) directing multiple episodes. J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts will executive produce through Brontë Film and TV, alongside David Heyman of Heyday Films, who also produced the original movies. The series is a collaboration between HBO, Warner Bros. Television, and Brontë Film and TV, and will stream on Max in all available markets.
While the core trio has yet to be revealed, this first official casting drop offers a clearer glimpse at what HBO’s long-term take on Harry Potter might look like — and who’ll be guiding students through the halls of Hogwarts this time around.
Here’s the promo HBO released when the announcement was made two years ago:
