Big Harry Potter casting news: Meet the NEW Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Hagrid
HBO has officially announced the first six actors cast for its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, set to span a decade and adapt each Harry Potter book in detail. Premiering globally on HBO in 2026, the series promises a faithful and comprehensive retelling of the beloved story, featuring a brand-new cast and creative vision.
The new faces of Hogwarts
The first confirmed cast members are six iconic Hogwarts characters:
John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore: The 79-year-old American actor, renowned for roles in The Crown and Dexter, takes on the iconic Headmaster role. Lithgow has indicated this might be his final major project, calling it a “defining chapter” of his career.
Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall: The British actress, a Tony and Olivier Award winner, will portray the strict yet fair Head of Gryffindor House. McTeer is known for her roles in Ozark and The Menu.
Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape: Known for his role in I May Destroy You, Essiedu will add a fresh dimension to the complex Potions Professor. His casting has sparked both praise and controversy within the fan community.
Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid: The British comedian, famous for Shaun of the Dead, will portray the beloved half-giant and Hogwarts groundskeeper. Frost’s casting promises a warm and humorous interpretation of Hagrid.
Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell: The young British actor, recognized in the theatre world, will play the shy Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Thallon is considered a rising star on the British stage.
Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch: The five-time BAFTA winner, known for The Fast Show, will play the grumpy Hogwarts caretaker. Whitehouse’s comedic experience will provide a unique twist on Filch’s character.
Production of the Harry Potter TV series
The series is written and produced by Francesca Gardiner (Succession) and directed by Mark Mylod. J.K. Rowling serves as an executive producer. Filming begins in summer 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, United Kingdom.
Each season will cover one book, allowing for deeper exploration of characters and storylines that received less attention in the films. Casting for the lead roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione is still underway, with over 32,000 children auditioning in the UK and Ireland.
Reactions and controversy
The announcement of the new Harry Potter cast has received both positive feedback and significant criticism from the fan community.
Many fans are excited to see their favorite stories brought back to life with greater attention to book details. They eagerly anticipate how this new group of actors will interpret beloved characters. However, some fans are skeptical about replacing actors from the original films, who are deeply associated with their roles in the public eye.
a thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose, and yellow, uneven teeth. He has shoulder-length, greasy black hair which frames his face, and cold, black eyes.
The casting of Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape has particularly sparked heated debate. Essiedu’s appearance notably diverges from Snape’s book description as “a thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose, shoulder-length, greasy black hair which frames his face, and cold, black eyes”, and his face is frequently described as “pale, milky, marble white, white”, etc. Given the creators’ promise of a “faithful adaptation” of the books this casting decision has disappointed many.
Actor John Lithgow, cast as Dumbledore, has also faced criticism due to his participation in a project closely linked to J.K. Rowling, whose comments about transgender rights have sparked controversy.
Fans and media questioned Lithgow on this matter, and he admitted he wasn’t fully aware of the controversy’s extent beforehand. Lithgow emphasized that his decision to accept the role was primarily based on artistic challenges, not political statements. He expressed hope that the series would be judged on its artistic merit rather than Rowling’s personal views. Some received this explanation positively, while others felt it dismissed the seriousness of the issue.
What can fans expect?
With a mix of experienced actors and new talent, the HBO Harry Potter series aims to provide a deeper and more faithful adaptation of the books. Fans can anticipate a fresh exploration of the magical universe, with a focus on details and storylines previously underrepresented.
It is clear this new Harry Potter series will continue to generate discussions both about character portrayals and broader societal themes.
The series will stream exclusively on HBO starting in 2026.