Among the newly announced cast members are John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. These actors were previously reported to be in talks for the roles, but their casting has now been officially confirmed.
Additionally, Luke Thallon, known for his work in Leopoldstadt, has joined the series in the recurring role of Quirinus Quirrell. Paul Whitehouse, famous for The Fast Show, will appear as Argus Filch in a recurring capacity.
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Francesca Gardiner, the showrunner and executive producer, alongside director and executive producer Mark Mylod, expressed excitement about the talented cast, saying, “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. We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”
While the main roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione have yet to be cast, HBO launched an open casting call last fall, receiving over 30,000 submissions for the coveted parts. The series is expected to begin filming this summer.
Described as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series, the show will explore every aspect of the wizarding world. Each season will introduce Harry Potter’s magical adventures to both new and existing fans.
The series is written and executive produced by Gardiner, with Mylod directing several episodes. The project is a collaboration between HBO, Brontë Film and TV, and Warner Bros. Television, with Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman serving as executive producers.