HBO has officially confirmed the first actors joining its upcoming Harry Potter HBO series cast. After months of speculation, the studio revealed six actors who will portray some of the franchise’s most iconic characters.
John Lithgow (“Conclave,” “The Crown”) will take on the role of Albus Dumbledore. Janet McTeer (“Tumbleweeds,” “The White Queen”) will play Minerva McGonagall. Paapa Essiedu (“I May Destroy You,” “Gangs of London”) steps into the shoes of Severus Snape, while Nick Frost (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz”) will portray Rubeus Hagrid.
In addition to the lead cast, Luke Thallon (“Leopoldstadt,” “Patriots”) joins in the recurring role of Quirinus Quirrell. Veteran comedian Paul Whitehouse (“The Fast Show,” “Harry & Paul”) will appear as Argus Filch.
Francesca Gardiner, the showrunner and executive producer, shared the announcement with director Mark Mylod. “We’re thrilled to welcome John, Janet, Paapa, Nick, Luke, and Paul to the project,” they stated. “Their incredible talent will bring new life to these beloved characters, and we can’t wait to share this journey with fans.”
These are the first official casting confirmations for the highly-anticipated series. Casting for the central trio—Harry, Ron, and Hermione—is still underway. HBO received more than 30,000 submissions during last fall’s open casting call. Production is scheduled to begin this summer.
HBO describes the show as a “faithful adaptation” of the original J.K. Rowling book series. According to its official synopsis, each season will explore different aspects of the wizarding world. The goal is to introduce the magic of Hogwarts to both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.
Francesca Gardiner leads the writing and showrunning team. She also serves as an executive producer alongside Mark Mylod, who will direct several episodes. The show is produced by HBO, in partnership with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television.
J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts will executive produce the series through Brontë Film and TV. David Heyman, known for producing the original Harry Potter films, returns via Heyday Films.
With a world-class team and top-tier cast now in place, the Harry Potter HBO series cast is already generating strong buzz ahead of its filming kickoff. Fans can expect a deeper, more detailed dive into the magical world that captivated millions.
