HBO’s Harry Potter series may already have its new Harry, Ron, Hermione, and most of the Weasley family in place, but one major character is still very much up in the air, and that could prove to be problematic when it comes to shooting the next season. While Season 1, which adapts Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is now in the process of wrapping, the next chapter needs a new addition before things can move forward.
The show is now openly searching for a new Ginny Weasley after Gracie Cochrane exited the role following Season 1, and the latest update suggests the replacement process is still underway. A new open casting call has been launched for a child actor to play Ginny in the HBO Original adaptation. The listing confirms that applicants must be UK residents aged between 10 and 12, with submissions required to come from a parent or legal guardian through the Cast It website.
The search follows the news last month that Cochrane would not return for Season 2 due to “unforeseen circumstances.” In a statement at the time, Cochrane and her family said that stepping away from the role had been a difficult decision, while HBO said it supported the young actor and wished her the best. Getting the right actor to play Ginny for Season 2 is imperative for HBO. While Ginny plays a small part, almost a cameo, in the first book, she becomes a key part of the story in Chamber of Secrets and, of course, ends up becoming romantically entangled with Harry towards the latter stages of J.K. Rowling‘s seven books.
Who Stars in ‘Harry Potter’?
The cast includes Dominic McLaughlin (Grow) as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton (Matilda: The Musical) as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow (Conclave) as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer (Ozark) as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) as Rubeus Hagrid. Currently, nobody has been cast to play Lord Voldemort, despite speculation linking A-list names like Paul Bettany, Cillian Murphy, and Robert James Collier with the role.
Harry Potter is written and executive-produced by Francesca Gardiner, with Mark Mylod executive-producing and directing multiple episodes. The series will air on HBO and stream on HBO Max from Christmas Day.
via Collider