HBO has announced the cast for the key roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley for the upcoming TV series.
The HBO Original Harry Potter television series has cast newcomers Dominic McLaughlin in the role of Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
Showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner and director of multiple episodes Mark Mylod issued a joint statement: “After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
“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.”
In April, Warner Bros. and HBO confirmed the first six cast members set to deliver new takes on classic Hogwarts teachers in the upcoming Harry Potter series.
This first look at the cast included John Lithgow (Conclave, Dexter), who had previously spilled the beans that he’d be playing Albus Dumbledore, along with other names that have either been heavily rumored or speculated.
Two faces that fans shouldn’t be too surprised to see included are Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), who will appear as Rubeus Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, Black Mirror), who has been tapped to play Severus Snape. Rounding out the group are Janet McTeer (Me Before You, The Menu) as Minerva McGonagall, Luke Thallon (The Favourite, Present Laughter) as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show, Alice Through the Looking Glass) as Argus Filch.
Hogwarts professors Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Snape are not only famous names from the Harry Potter universe but also notable characters in pop culture in general. Each actor has big shoes to fill, something Lithgow touched on when confirming plans to play the Hogwarts headmaster earlier this year.
“I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid,” he told ScreenRant in February.
“But I’m very excited. 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.”
Photo courtesy of Aidan Monaghan/HBO.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
