With some being rumoured and some being complete surprises, Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed the casting of six actors who will portray key staff members at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the upcoming HBO Original Harry Potter television series.
John Lithgow will take on the role of Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts and a central figure in Harry Potter’s journey. Meanwhile in the Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House role, Janet McTeer will serve as Professor Minerva McGonagall – arguably the biggest shoes to fill following the late Maggie Smith.
Paapa Essiedu has been cast as Severus Snape, the complex and often stern Potions Master, Nick Frost will portray Rubeus Hagrid, the half-giant gamekeeper, Luke Thallon will serve as Professor Quirinus Quirrell, who serves as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher during Harry Potter’s first year at Hogwarts, and Paul Whitehouse will serve as Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch.
Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer, and Mark Mylod, who will direct multiple episodes, commented on the announcement, sharing:
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.
Filming of the first season is set to commence later this year, with a release date yet to be confirmed – other than that it will premiere on Max as a HBO Original.
