The sorting hat ceremony for six key roles in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has been completed.
On Monday, April 14, it was announced that, as previously reported, John Lithgow will play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in a TV reimagining of J.K. Rowling’s blockbuster novels. Joining him are Oscar-nominated Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. Joining those series regular in recurring roles are Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse as fellow wizarding school stalwarts Quirinus Quirrell and Argus Filch, respectively.
“We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life,” series showrunner/executive producer Francesca Gardiner and fellow EP Mark Mylod, who also directs multiple episodes, said in a joint statement.
HBO is describing the show as a “faithful adaptation” of the best-selling book series, which spawned eight hit films between 2001 and 2011, as well as a spin-off franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and an ongoing Broadway play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. “Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring Harry Potter and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences,” the official series description continues.
Despite her controversial transphobic remarks, Rowling will serve as an executive producer on the new project and is expected to collaborate with Gardiner to adapt her books for TV. Ahead, everything we know about the upcoming Harry Potter series—from who is playing the titular character to what Warner Bros. has said about Rowling’s involvement.
Who will be in the Harry Potter series?
John Lithgow, who starred in recent best picture nominee Conclave and won an Emmy for playing Winston Churchill on The Crown, has been cast as Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts. The role was previously played by Irish actor Richard Harris, who died in 2002 after appearing in the first two Harry Potter films and was replaced by Michael Gambon, who later died in 2023. Lithgow confirmed his casting back in February: “It came as a total surprise to me,” the 79-year-old actor said at the time. “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.”
John Lithgow (Credit: Jessica Howes), Janet McTeer (Credit: Andrew Crowley), Paapa Essiedu (Credit: Ruth Crafer), Nick Frost (Credit: Lee Malone), Luke Thallon (Credit: Phil Sharp), Paul Whitehouse (Credit: Mike Marsland)
