The HBO OriginalHarry Potterseries has confirmed some major cast additions for the show. After some odd back-and-forth aboutJohn Lithgow’s casting as Albus Dumbledore, the six-time Emmy Award winner is now officially confirmed for the role. HBO also announced that the Tony Award and Golden Globe-winning actressJanet McTeer(Ozark, Tumbleweeds) has been cast as Minerva McGonagall, while Emmy, Olivier, and BAFTA nomineePaapa Essiedu(Murder on the Orient Express, Black Doves) has been cast as Severus Snape. Additionally, in a move that will please just about everyone,the delightfulNick Frost(Hot Fuzz, Hyperdrive, Shaun of the Dead) has been cast as Rubeus Hagrid. All will serve as series regulars.
Along with the aforementioned cast, HBO has also announced a recurring cast that includesLuke Thallon(The Favourite) as Quirinus Quirrell and five-time BAFTA winnerPaul Whitehouse(The Fast Show, Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing) as Argus Filch. Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer of theHarry Potterseries, and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer, said in a statement:
“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.”
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The ‘Harry Potter’ Series Will Be “A Faithful Adaptation”
You can see an image of the announced cast above, which includes (from left to right): John Lithgow (Credit: Jessica Howes), Janet McTeer (Credit: Andrew Crowley), Paapa Essiedu (Credit: Ruth Crafer), Nick Frost (Credit: Lee Malone), Luke Thallon (Credit: Phil Sharp), and Paul Whitehouse (Credit: Mike Marsland).
“The series will be afaithful adaptation of the belovedHarry Potterbook seriesby author and executive producer J.K. Rowling and will feature an exciting and talented cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved charactersHarry Potterfans have adored for over 25 years,” added the press release. “Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bringHarry Potterand its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences.”
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TheHarry Potterseries will stream exclusively on Max where it’s available globally, including upcoming markets such as Turkey, the UK, Germany, and Italy, among others. HBO is careful to note that, “The original, classic, and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch around the world.”
The upcoming series is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The series is executive produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
Harry Potter
