After months of speculation and anticipation, HBO has officially confirmed the cast for its upcoming reboot of the beloved Harry Potter series. On April 14, 2025, the network announced six new cast members, igniting excitement among fans eager to see a fresh take on the iconic characters.
Leading the lineup is the acclaimed actor John Lithgow, who will portray the wise and powerful Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. The 79-year-old actor shared that the role came as a "total surprise" to him, revealing in an interview that it wasn’t an easy decision to accept. He admitted, "It’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life." Lithgow is no stranger to the spotlight, having starred in various notable productions, including 3rd Rock from the Sun and Killers of the Flower Moon.
Joining Lithgow is Paapa Essiedu, known for his role in I May Destroy You, who has been confirmed to play the enigmatic Potions master, Severus Snape. Essiedu expressed his excitement on Instagram, stating, "An honour and a privilege to be going on this journey with these legends. We shall eat and we shall leave no crumbs. See you at Hogwarts. Professor Snape x." His enthusiasm has been echoed by fans, including Katie Leung, who portrayed Cho Chang in the original films, commenting, "There’s no one better."
Adding to the star-studded cast is Nick Frost, who will take on the role of the beloved groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid. The 53-year-old actor is well-known for his work in Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, and his casting has been met with positive reactions from fans.
Janet McTeer, a talented actress recognized for her performances in Ozark, will portray Minerva McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor House. This casting choice has also been well-received, with fans eager to see how McTeer will embody the character.
The reboot will also feature Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who harbors a dark secret, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, the Squib caretaker of Hogwarts. Thallon has garnered attention for his impressive theatre performances, while Whitehouse is known for his roles in The Fast Show and Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.
In a joint statement, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod expressed their excitement, 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."
The announcement comes after the reboot was first revealed on April 12, 2023, sparking intense speculation about the casting choices. As of now, the central roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger have yet to be filled, with UK-wide casting calls currently underway. Reports suggest that over 32,000 children have auditioned for these iconic roles, indicating the high level of interest in the series.
While many fans are excited about the prospect of a more faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s novels, opinions are divided. Some fans have expressed their enthusiasm, with one user on X stating, "I am very, very excited for this. 10 more years, and finally we can see it on screen, as close to the books as possible." Another user chimed in, "No one is taking away the books. No one is taking away the movies. This is supposed to be faithful to the books with Rowling’s backing. Very excited!"
However, not everyone shares this sentiment. Some fans have voiced their disappointment, with one stating, "No fans wanted Harry to be redone. Give us origins of Hogwarts, The Marauders, Tom Riddle, or the Order of The Phoenix." Additionally, there are those who plan to boycott the series due to Rowling’s controversial comments regarding the trans community. The Wizarding News, a group dedicated to reporting on Harry Potter news, announced on X that any new series made with or by Rowling will face protests. They previously called for a boycott of the franchise while Rowling remains involved with Warner Bros. Discovery.
In response to the boycott plans, Rowling took to X, writing, "Dreadful news, which I feel duty bound to share. Activists in my mentions are trying to organise yet another boycott of my work, this time of the Harry Potter TV show. As forewarned is forearmed, I’ve taken the precaution of laying in a large stock of champagne." This statement has sparked further debate among fans and the broader community.
Despite the mixed reactions, HBO appears confident in the project’s potential. The series is described as a "faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series" and will span a decade, with each season dedicated to one book from the franchise. With Rowling serving as an executive producer, the network aims to capture the essence of the original story while introducing it to a new generation of viewers.
As the excitement builds for the reboot, fans eagerly await the release date, which is expected to be in 2026. With such a talented cast and a commitment to authenticity, the new Harry Potter series is poised to become a significant part of the franchise’s legacy.
