After what has felt like months of speculation and rumours, the first six cast members have finally been officially confirmed for the new Harry Potter series.
While plenty of big names from Mark Rylance to Cillian Murphy have been thrown out there, HBO has remained pretty tight lipped on its line-up of actors for the show – until now.
The producers spoke out today to reveal a list of ‘extraordinary talent’ as JK Rowling’s Wizarding World is brought to life once again.
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Fans will be pleased to know that a number of the predictions were actually correct, with John Lithgow having already confirmed his casting as Albus Dumbledore.
However, it seems we’ll have to wait a little longer for those main roles (Harry, Ron and Hermione) following an open casting call last autumn. So, without further ado, let’s look at these first six cast members.
John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
Having said during an interview with ScreenRant that he was ‘very excited’ for the role, the Dexter actor seemingly confirmed the gig earlier this year.
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And now it’s finally been confirmed that Lithgow will be playing Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore.
“It was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid,” he said. "Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision." The actor also pointed out that he’ll be 87 at the end of the series.
Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
The Ozark and Wuthering Heights actor has been cast in the role of stern Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall.
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The late Maggie Smith of course originally played the role of the Deputy Headmistress and head of Gryffindor House with Fiona Glascott playing her in the Fantastic Beasts prequel films.
Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
Having been rumoured alongside Peaky Blinders’ Murphy for the role, the Gangs of London star is the next actor stepping into Professor Snape’s shoes.
The late Alan Rickman has long been synonymous with the Professor of Potions and now Essiedu will bring his take on the Half-Blood Prince for the TV adaptation of Harry Potter.
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Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
Just as fans had suspected, the Hot Fuzz star will take on the role of friendly groundskeeper Hagrid.
Following the announcement of his casting in the HBO series, Frost wrote on Instagram: “Thank you for trusting me with such a loyal, gentle and courageous half-giant like Rubeus Hagrid. Robbie, I promise I won’t let you down.”
Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
The British stage actor has landed the role of the first Harry Potter book’s main antagonist, Quirinus Quirrell.
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Taking on the recurring role, Thallon was listed by The Stage in 2022 as one of the top 25 theatre makers of the future and has received various awards for his performances on stage.
Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
Welsh actor Whitehouse will take on the magic-less role of Argus Filch.
Known for his work on the likes of The Fast Show, Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing and Harry & Paul, the actor follows in David Bradley’s footsteps as he plays the squib and caretaker of Hogwarts.
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“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,” said executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod.
“We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”
Designed to run over a decade, Gardiner writes the series while Mylod will direct multiple episodes.
Production is set to begin at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden in summer 2025. No release date is yet confirmed but it is said to be roughly slated for the late 2026/early 2027.
Topics: Harry Potter, HBO, TV and Film, Celebrity
Jess Battison