Fans of the Harry Potter universe have a big reason to celebrate.
According to Variety, HBO has officially announced the first group of actors who will bring some of the most beloved Hogwarts characters to life in the upcoming web series based on J.K. Rowling’s famous book series.
It was shared that veteran actor John Lithgow, well-known for roles in The Crown and Conclave, has been selected to play the wise and kind Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Another respected star, Academy Award nominee Janet McTeer—famous for Tumbleweeds and The White Queen—will step into the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall.
For the role of Professor Severus Snape, HBO has chosen Paapa Essiedu, who earned praise for his performances in I May Destroy You and Gangs of London. Nick Frost, widely recognized for his comedic work in Shaun of the Dead, will take on the part of Rubeus Hagrid, the beloved half-giant groundskeeper.
The announcement also included details about other key Hogwarts staff members. Luke Thallon, known for his stage work in Leopoldstadt and Patriots, is set to play Professor Quirinus Quirrell, while British actor and comedian Paul Whitehouse will portray Argus Filch, the castle’s grumpy caretaker.
Executive producers Francesca Gardiner, who also serves as showrunner, and Mark Mylod, who will direct several episodes, expressed their excitement about the cast. They mentioned that they were thrilled to have such a talented group of actors bringing the wizarding world to life again.
As of now, HBO has not yet revealed who will play the main trio—Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. However, an open casting call held last year reportedly attracted over 30,000 hopefuls. Production for the series is expected to begin this summer.
HBO described the series as a “faithful adaptation�?of the original books, promising that it will explore every corner of the wizarding world. Each season will focus on the magical adventures from the books and aim to captivate both longtime fans and new viewers.
According to Variety, Warner Bros. released a statement reaffirming its support for the new series. They said they were proud to retell the story of Harry Potter, calling it a tale about friendship, courage, and acceptance. They also noted that J.K. Rowling’s involvement would be a benefit to the project, despite ongoing discussions about her personal views.
With filming about to begin and more cast announcements on the way, the magic of Hogwarts is being brought back to life for a whole new generation.