Warner Bros. and HBO have officially announced the first six actors who will portray iconic Hogwarts teachers in the eagerly awaited Harry Potter series. This announcement comes after months of speculation about how the new adaptation will reimagine the beloved story of Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
The cast reveal includes John Lithgow, renowned for his roles in Conclave and Dexter, who confirmed earlier that he would be stepping into the shoes of Albus Dumbledore. Joining him are Nick Frost, known from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, who will embody Rubeus Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu, acclaimed for his performances in I May Destroy You and Black Mirror, set to portray Severus Snape. The ensemble is completed by Janet McTeer (Me Before You, The Menu) as Minerva McGonagall, Luke Thallon (The Favourite, Present Laughter) as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show, Alice Through the Looking Glass) as Argus Filch.
(Top, left to right): John Lithgow (credit: Jessica Howes), Janet McTeer (credit: Andrew Crowley), Paapa Essiedu (credit: Ruth Crafer). (Bottom, left to right): Nick Frost (credit: Lee Malone), Luke Thallon (credit: Phil Sharp), Paul Whitehouse (credit: Mike Marsland). Image provided by Warner Bros.
Showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner, along with director and executive producer Mark Mylod, expressed their excitement about the cast in a 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."
Characters like Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Snape are not only central to the Harry Potter universe but also iconic figures in broader pop culture. John Lithgow, who will play Dumbledore, previously shared his thoughts on taking on such a significant role, stating to ScreenRant in February, “I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid. But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
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While the Harry Potter series has yet to announce a release date, production is expected to start soon. Details on how the series will diverge from J.K. Rowling's original novels and the film adaptations from the 2000s and early 2010s remain scarce. However, Warner Bros. has assured fans that the series will explore Harry’s story "a little bit more in depth than you can in just a two-hour film." Controversial author J.K. Rowling is involved in the show’s development.
For further updates on the Harry Potter series, including casting news for Harry, Hermione, and Ron, stay tuned.
