HBO‘s Harry Potter series has just received the most magical of updates after the announcement that production has commenced, as well as the first adorable look at Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter himself. McLaughlin will be joined in the show by Arabella Stanton as Hermione Grainger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, with the show set to premiere in 2027. It was earlier reported that the first two seasons would be shot back to back.
Just like the original film franchise, HBO’s version will follow its three young stars as they grow up across the seven seasons of the series — each one adapting a single book from the Harry Potter saga. All three leads are relative newcomers, mirroring the casting approach of the original movies. McLaughlin will also appear alongside Nick Frost in the upcoming comedy Grow, while Stanton previously played the title role in Matilda the Musical in London’s West End. According to HBO, more than 32,000 children auditioned for the iconic trio — a testament to the pressure of filling the shoes once worn by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
In a statement celebrating the announcement, showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod said:
“After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.”
Who Is In ‘Harry Potter’?
McLaughlin, Stanton, and Stout will be joined by a stacked adult cast that includes John Lithgow (Conclave), who will play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, and Paapa Essiedu (Black Doves), who has been cast as Potions Master Severus Snape. Janet McTeer (Me Before You) will play fan favorite Professor McGonagall, Paul Whitehouse (The Change) will be Hogwarts’ caretaker Argus Filch, and Luke Thallon(The Favourite) will play Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Quirinus Quirrell. Nick Frost will play Hagrid — perhaps the most emotionally important adult character in Harry’s journey. The series has also added Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
The series is being developed by Gardiner (His Dark Materials, Succession), with episodes directed by Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones). The creative team has been vocal about their intent to honour the books in full, promising a more comprehensive adaptation that dives deeper into the world and its characters than the movies ever could.
The series will debut in 2027.
via Collider