HBO Max Unveils New Cast for "Harry Potter" Series
HBO Max confirmed the casting of three actors for its highly anticipated "Harry Potter" series on Tuesday. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will take on the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, respectively.
These actors will embody the beloved characters that enchanted readers nearly three decades ago, beginning with J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," published in 1997. The series aims to bring a new generation of fans into the wizarding world.
Following the narrative of the seven original books, this streaming adaptation will differ from the previous film series that starred Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The new show promises to delve deeper into the source material.
In addition to this series, the "Fantastic Beasts" prequels featuring Eddie Redmayne have explored earlier aspects of the wizarding universe since their debut in 2016. Meanwhile, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" continues to captivate audiences in theaters across the U.S., Europe, and Tokyo.
According to BBC News, over 30,000 children participated in an open casting call for these roles, showcasing a remarkable pool of talent. "The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold," said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod in a joint statement. They expressed gratitude to all who auditioned, highlighting the abundance of young talent discovered during the process.
HBO has committed to a "faithful adaptation" of the books, with plans for a decade-long production timeline. McLaughlin is set to appear in the U.K. family comedy film "Grow" later this year and is also involved in a BBC action-adventure series. Stanton previously starred as Matilda in "Matilda The Musical" in London.
In a notable addition to the cast, actor John Lithgow, recognized for his Emmy-winning role as Winston Churchill in "The Crown," has been cast as Albus Dumbledore. Fans can expect to see "Harry Potter" on HBO Max as early as 2026, according to reports from BBC News.
