Today, HBO confirmed the casting of some key characters in its upcoming Harry Potter series adaptation.
While there have been rumours and rumblings about which actors will portray which characters for some time now, it’s now official, at least as it pertains to Professor Albus Dumbledore, Professor Minerva McGonagall, Professor Severus Snape, Professor Quirrell, Rubeus Hagrid, and Argus Filch.
Recently seen in the Academy Award-winning feature, Conclave, John Lithgow is tapped to play Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Lithgow takes on the role previously portrayed by Irish actors Richard Harris, followed by Michael Gambon after Harris’s death, in the film adaptations of the popular book series.
Janet McTeer will play the Head of Gryffindor House, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall. Audiences will likely recognize McTeer from her performances in shows such as Ozark and Jessica Jones.
Paapa Essiedu, known for his performances in I May Destroy You, Gangs of London, The Lazarus Project and Black Doves, just to name a few, will portray Professor Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin House and Potions teacher.
Rounding out the cast are Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) as the much-beloved Hogwarts groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, Paul Whitehouse (King of Thieves, The Personal History of David Copperfield) as the caretaker, Argus Filch, and Luke Thallon as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Quirrell.
The casting for the central trio of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley has yet to be revealed.
HBO‘s plan for the series is to adapt each novel in the best-selling book series into individual seasons.
The first book in the Harry Potter series was released in June 1997. Since then, the series has gone on to become one of the best-selling book series ever. As of February 2023, the books have sold over 600 million copies worldwide, with the final four books in the series all setting records for fastest-selling books in history.