The long-rumoured cast for the HBO Harry Potter series has been announced, with the castings for the Hogwarts teachers confirmed.
The Harry Potter film franchise was packed with iconic British actors, who will now pass the baton to a new generation for HBO’s upcoming faithful series adaptation.
The series is a huge undertaking, with HBO expecting it will be filmed across the next decade with the as yet unannounced ‘golden trio’ growing up alongside it. HBO’s remake will differ from the films by leaving no detail spared from the books – fans can finally look forward to seeing poltergeist Peeves, Hermione’s S.P.E.W. activism, and Ginny’s full Quidditch career on screen.
HBO has cast four of the leads that will be undertaking the decade-long commitment to the series: Janet McTeer (Ozark) takes the role of transfiguration teacher Minerva McGonagall; Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) will be potions master Severus Snape; Hot Fuzz’s Nick Frost will be friendly giant Rubeus Hagrid; and, as previously announced, Conclave’s John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore.
Lithgow announced his own casting back in February, acknowledging the series time commitment: “It's going to define me for the last chapter of my life […] I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've said yes.”
Also cast as series regulars are sketch comic, actor, and sometimes-fisherman, Paul Whitehouse as Filch, and stage actor Luke Thallon – who recently starred with Andrew Scott in National Theatre’s Present Laughter – as Quirinus Quirrell.
The actors cast skew notably younger than their film predecessors, which is in line with HBO’s effort to stay true to the source material – Severus Snape was in his 30s in the first book but portrayed in his 50s in the original films.
Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer, and Mark Mylod, director and executive producer, say: “We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and 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.”
The first series of Harry Potter is expected to premiere in 2026.
