We’re officially getting closer to a new era of Harry Potter fandom as the long-awaited TV series prepares to begin production in mid 2025.
And while more details have emerged since the adaptation was first announced back in April 2023, a major casting update has the Potterverse in a spin, with confirmation that Dumbledore is to be played by John Lithgow.
In light of the news, we’ve cast our best Alohomora spell to uncover as many details as possible about what fans can expect from the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
Which Harry Potter Cast Members Have Been Confirmed?
Bringing the global hit back to the big screen is no mean feat for the show’s casting agents. After all, with such an enduring legacy comes a huge amount of responsibility.
As such, showrunners have been adamant that they intend to do right by the Potterverse and unveil a new and equally magical cast for its next iteration.
After much speculation, actor John Lithgow, 79, has officially signed on to play Dumbledore, the multi-layered headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Confirming the news with ScreenRant‘s Liam Crowley, Lithgow admitted to feeling nervous about the sheer scope of the commitment at first.
“Well, it came as a total surprise to me. 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. But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
Who Is Rumoured To Be Playing The Remaining Roles?
Now that we have our first major casting confirmation, it’s quite possible that more names will begin to emerge from the sorting hat.
What we know for sure, is that like the film franchise, a global casting call was sent out to find the next Harry, Ron and Hermione which led to over 30,000 auditions.
Director Mark Mylod and showrunner Francesca Gardiner revealed that not only did they watch “every single audition”, but within them, they found “a couple of crackers.”
As for the rest of the fabled ensemble, rumours have been flying around I May Destroy You actor, Paapa Essiedu, as a top contender for Professor Severus Snape – famously brought to life by the late Alan Rickman, while Bad Sisters’ Sharon Horgan is being tipped to take on fan favourite Professor Minerva McGonagall, previously played by the equally as revered, Maggie Smith.
While those roles are certainly held in high regard, no one has quite the same shoes to fill (both literally and figuratively) than the actor tasked with taking on the much-loved gentle giant, Rubeus Hagrid, whose larger-than-life character was perfectly portrayed on screen by the late, Robbie Coltrane. At the moment, the industry is buzzing with talk that Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein might be the man for the job, but as with the remaining actors, it’s yet to be confirmed.
Other big names like Cillian Murphy have also been tossed around as possible nods for either Voldemort, or the equally as slippery Professor Quirrell – but only time will tell.
What Will The Harry Potter TV Series Be About?
Since the release of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 nearly 13 years ago, the Harry Potter universe has expanded to include the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway and the Hogwarts Legacy video game.
Unlike these additions to the Potterverse, the TV series is set to closely follow the books—and more specifically, one book per season.
When the reboot was first announced by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav in April 2023, he explained that the Harry Potter TV series would be as faithful to the original books as possible.
“The stories from each of Rowling’s Harry Potter books will become a decade-long series produced with the same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for,” Zaslav confirmed.
Recent comments from showrunners Mylod and Gardiner doubled down on the promise, revealing their own love for the Potterverse.
“We have 8 hours to tell the first book”, the pair revealed, “so we can dig into the real depths and crevices and how the language of magic can evolve.”
“We follow the ethos of the films to source some of the finest cream of British talent,” Mark added.
As for their commitment to reinstating some noticeable character absences from the films, the pair hinted at their plans to include the beloved poltergeist Peeves.
“We’ll get to have some fun with Peeves in the corridors!”
The pair also hinted at whether fans could expect to revisit the film’s iconic locations, agreeing that they “don’t want to mess with the likes of the Great Hall,” before revealing they plan to expand the depiction of Hogwarts entirely.
“We went with the idea that Hogwarts is a real place,” Mylod explained.
“So there will be elements of Georgian architecture, attempts at naturalism. Because, of course, we have the luxury of long-form storytelling.”
“We’re both massively fond of the movies, they’re amazing, what an amazing feat of creative pursuits,” Gardiner agreed, before expressing her excitement at the possibilities of the extended format. “We get a bigger sandpit to play in.”
When Will The Harry Potter TV Series Be Released?
With production scheduled to begin this summer (UK time), meaning June/July 2025 for us southern hemisphere folk, we’re looking at a likely premiere of sometime between late 2026 and early 2027.
The HBO original production will premier on Max, and while the prestige streamer isn’t currently available in the Australian market, we have official confirmation that it will be launching here on March 31, 2025.
While a television series would presumably be able to dedicate more time to each of the seven books, it remains to be seen if Harry Potter movie fans are ready for a reboot of their beloved series.
For many fans, who grew up with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as the series’ trio, it might be hard to imagine anyone else taking on their iconic roles.
However, it does mean a new generation of young Harry Potter fans will have their own trio to identify with, and enjoy the magic of.
Will JK Rowling Be Involved?
Yes, JK Rowling is the confirmed executive producer of the television series.
The author has stated, “Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series.”
In recent years, Rowling, has generated controversy with her comments about the trans community. The author was absent from the 20 year anniversary special of the Harry Potter films and there have been fierce boycotts of the Hogwarts Legacy game as a result.
Related articles:
- The ‘Harry Potter’ Cast Are Revealing Their Co-Star Crushes And Daniel Radcliffe’s Is Truly Surprising
- Four Major Controversies That Have Shaped Public Perception Of JK Rowling
- In Case You Needed Reminding, Harry Potter Fans Are Better People
