- HBO has officially locked in the first six cast members for its ambitious seven-season Harry Potter series.
- From John Lithgow and Paapa Essiedu to Janet McTeer and Nick Frost, the decision effectively locks in these latest iterations of beloved characters for the better part of a decade.
- HBO’s Harry Potter series release date: TBA (this article will be updated as details come to light).
The rumour mill had already been working overtime in the lead-up to this. But now, HBO has confirmed a few earlier suspicions (and sprung a surprise or two) with the announcement of six key cast members taking centre stage for its highly-anticipated Harry Potter series.
Emmy-winning character actor John Lithgow has been tapped for the all-important role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore (the fourth after the late Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, as well as Jude Law); while Gangs of London, The Lazarus Project, and I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu will portray double agent Severus Snape (originally played by the late Alan Rickman).
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Yet another Gangs of London alum and Ozark thespian, Janet McTeer, the mantle of Professor Minerva McGonagall from the late Maggie Smith; and joining the aforementioned series regulars as the loveable half giant groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid (taking over from the late Robbie Coltrane) will be Nick Frost of the Cornetto Trilogy with Simon Pegg fame.
Luke Thallon has also been locked in as Defence Against The Dark Arts professor Quirinus Quirrell, alongside Paul Whitehouse as Hogwarts’ squib caretaker Argus Filch (guest and recurring roles, respectively).
“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 (His Dark Materials, Succession, Killing Eve) and series director Mark Mylod (Game of Thrones, Entourage, Succession); both of whom simultaneously juggle executive producer duties for the forthcoming show.
“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,” Lithgow said months earlier to ScreenRant.
“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.”
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The question that remains, however, is precisely who will inherit the iconic roles of the eponymous Harry Potter himself (AKA The Boy Who Lived), Ron Weasely, and Hermione Granger from Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. Core trio aside, they’ll also cast the equally crucial roles of Sirius Black, Lucius Malfoy, and of course, wizarding Hitler analogue Lord Voldemort.
The latter of whom has been reportedly linked to the Academy Award-winning Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders, Small Things Like These); which has soundly earned the support of OG villain Ralph Fiennes.
In total, all eight original films grossed US$7.7 billion globally against an aggregate production budget of US$1.2 billion and spawned a franchise legacy like no other that took on a life of its own beyond the seven fantasy novels of J.K. Rowling.
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