Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
HBO has officially revealed the cast for the pivotal roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley in its upcoming “Harry Potter” television series. After an extensive search that drew more than 30,000 hopefuls, Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will step into the shoes made famous by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod expressed their enthusiasm in a statement: “The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.” The casting marks a significant moment for these newcomers—McLaughlin’s prior work includes the upcoming comedy _Grow_, Stanton performed as Matilda in the West End’s _Matilda: The Musical_, while Stout takes on his first major role.
Alongside the young leads, the series boasts a star-studded supporting cast featuring John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. Other notable cast members include Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch. These casting choices follow the legacies established by the original film series, promising to bring beloved characters back to life.
John Lithgow, who will portray Dumbledore, shared the personal significance of his involvement: “Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.” He added, “It’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid. But I’m very excited.”
Filming for the series is slated to begin this summer, with the first installment expected to release in 2026. The project is produced by HBO in collaboration with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television, with J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman as executive producers.
Despite Rowling’s recent controversies, HBO’s chief content officer Casey Bloys clarified the network’s position: “Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter.”
