HBO has officially announced the first wave of casting for its highly anticipated “Harry Potter” television series, revealing the actors who will bring the beloved wizarding world’s most iconic teachers to life.
Leading the prestigious Hogwarts staff will be Academy Award nominee John Lithgow (“The Crown,” “Conclave”) as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
With Tony Award winner Janet McTeer (“Tumbleweeds,” “The White Queen”) stepping into the role of Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall.
The critical role of Potions Master Severus Snape will be portrayed by BAFTA winner Paapa Essiedu (“I May Destroy You,” “Gangs of London”)
While fan-favorite Nick Frost (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz”) will take on the gentle half-giant Rubeus Hagrid.
Rounding out the initial faculty announcements are Luke Thallon (Tom Stoppard’s “Leopoldstadt”) as the stuttering Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Quirinus Quirrell.
Comedy veteran Paul Whitehouse (“The Fast Show”) as the cantankerous caretaker Argus Filch. Both Thallon and Whitehouse will appear in recurring roles.
“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,” said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod in a joint statement. “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 casting of the series’ young protagonists—Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger—remains underway following an open casting call last fall that drew over 30,000 submissions. Production is scheduled to begin this summer.
HBO describes the series as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s globally acclaimed book series that will “explore every corner of the wizarding world” and bring “Harry Potter and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences” with each season.
The creative team includes showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner, with Mark Mylod set to direct multiple episodes. J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV join David Heyman of Heyday Films as executive producers for the series, which is being produced by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television.
