Today, HBO announced the first six cast members of their ‘Harry Potter’ reboot show. The show is slated to start filming in the summer at Warner Bros Leavesden Studio in England.
The ‘golden trio’ have yet to actually be casted yet, with the open casting call last Autumn receiving over 300,000 submissions! HBO confirmed, in a press release this morning, the casting of:
- John Lithgow as Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost as Hagrid
- Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
John Lithgow is an accomplished actor, known for his roles in Dexter (2017-2013), Conclave (2024), Interstellar (2014) and Footloose (1984). Lithgow will be 79 years old when filming begins and is estimated to be around 90 years old when the series should wrap. This casting actually breaks the rule that started with the original ‘Harry Potter’ films of only casting UK actors.
Janet McTeer is best known for her roles in: Ozark (2017-2022), The Menu (2022) and The Woman In Black (2010). McTeer has earned two Academy Award nominations, one Best Actress for Tumbleweeds (1999) and Best Supporting Actress for Albert Nobbs (2011).
Paapa Essiedu is best known for his roles in: Murder On The Orient Express (2017), The Outrun (2024) and Gangs Of London (2020-). Essiedu was nominated for a BAFTA and a Primetime Emmy award for his role as Kwame in Gangs Of London (2020-).
Nick Frost is a frequent collaborator with acclaimed English director, Edgar Wright; best known for their work together on: Shaun Of The Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007) and The World’s End (2013).
Luke Thallon is best known for his work in the theatre world; Thallo was listed by The Stage in 2022 as one of the top twenty five theatre makers of the future.
Paul Whitehouse is a legendary English comic actor. He was one of the main stars of the BBC sketch comedy series The Fast Show (1994-1997) and has starred alongside Harry Enfield in the shows Harry & Paul and Harry Enfield & Chums.
Francesca Gardiner, the showrunner and executing producer, said “We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch”. Additionally, Mark Mylod, know for his work as a director and producer for the show Succession (2018-2023) has been confirmed to direct multiple episodes of the ‘Harry Potter’ reboot TV series for HBO. Mylod said “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life”.
HBO has described the show as “a faithful adaptation” to the ‘Harry Potter’ book series, wrote by the controversial J.K Rowling.
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