HBO has officially unveiled the young actors stepping into iconic roles for their eagerly anticipated TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Scottish actor Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will portray Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, respectively. The open casting call, which drew over 30,000 aspiring actors, resulted in the selection of these talented newcomers.
Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer/director Mark Mylod expressed excitement about the trio's talent, stating, "the magic they bring to the screen will be unforgettable." The young stars will be joined by acclaimed actors including John Lithgow, who will portray Albus Dumbledore, with Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.
In addition to Lithgow, other confirmed cast members include Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, with further casting announcements to follow.
Dominic McLaughlin has appeared in the upcoming Sky comedy "Grow" and the BBC series "Gifted," while Arabella Stanton is known for her role as Matilda in "Matilda: The Musical."
J.K. Rowling will serve as an executive producer, ensuring the series remains a loyal adaptation of her works. The upcoming series is set to explore storylines in greater depth than the films, taking advantage of the extended format, and is expected to run for at least a decade.
Filming is slated to commence in the summer of 2024 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, with the first season potentially premiering on HBO Max as early as 2026.
