HBO has released cast information for its upcoming Harry Potter series, featuring several notable actors, including John Lithgow and Nick Frost.
The HBO Original Harry Potter series gave fans their first look at the cast and their roles today. The upcoming adaptation reveals many of its series’ regulars and supporting characters that book readers and fans of the films will recognize. The biggest name announced so far is six-time Emmy winner, two-time Tony Award winner, and BAFTA and Oscar nominee John Lithgow (Conclave), who will play one of the greatest wizards in wizarding history, Albus Dumbledore. The series is said to be a faithful adaptation of the beloved book series, with author and executive producer J.K. Rowling attached to the project.
Here is a list of the known cast members joining the Harry Potter series, as well as the newly announced cast:
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer (MobLand) as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror) as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) as Rubeus Hagrid
- Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
“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 showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner, and director of multiple episodes and executive producer 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.”
The new HBO series is expected to reinvigorate the franchise with an exciting and talented cast to lead a new generation of fans. It will feature richly detailed and much-loved characters that Harry Potter fans have adored for more than 25 years. The series has high ambitions, with plans to deliver 10 years of content set in the Harry Potter universe.
Some fans have expressed concern about the decision to launch a series so soon after the films were released, while others are curious to see how the new adaptation will be received. As a related comparison, Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power continues to receive mixed reviews, with many online discussions focused on how the prequel series depicts its characters and source material.
Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring Harry Potter and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences and will stream exclusively on Max. No release date has been announced yet, but the movies will continue to stream on the streaming platform.
