There’s a new Hermione Granger, and her name is Arabella Stanton. HBO just announced it on May 27, 2025, and honestly, people are talking. Some fans are super excited, others are still trying to figure out how they feel about it. Arabella’s not a huge name in film or TV yet, but she’s got serious talent — especially on stage. She made a name for herself in London’s West End as Matilda in Matilda: The Musical, and that role really showed what she can do.
It’s kind of a big deal because Hermione is such an iconic character. You know how it is — fans are attached to how they remember her from the books and movies. So casting someone new always brings a mix of reactions. Some folks are asking, “Can she really pull it off?” Others are like, “Let’s give her a chance.” One thing’s for sure — Arabella’s got that strong, smart, confident vibe that Hermione needs.
From the Theater Stage to the Wizarding World
Arabella’s background isn’t in big Hollywood movies. She’s actually been working in theater, which makes this jump to a huge TV series even more interesting. She played Matilda on stage, and if you’ve seen that show, you know how demanding that role is. It takes a lot of energy, emotion, and timing — and Arabella nailed it. So even though she hasn’t done much on-screen yet, she clearly knows how to perform under pressure.
And maybe that’s why HBO picked her. They said the casting process was intense — like they looked everywhere for the right people. The team behind the show, including showrunner Francesca Gardiner and producer Mark Mylod, said Arabella was one of the best fits they found. I mean, that says something, right? She didn’t just show up — she earned it.
Meet the New Trio
Arabella’s not the only one stepping into the spotlight. She’ll be working with Dominic McLaughlin, who’s playing Harry Potter, and Alastair Stout, who’s been cast as Ron Weasley. All three are kind of new to a lot of people, which makes it feel fresh. HBO isn’t just reusing old stars — they’re building something from the ground up, which honestly might be the best way to do a reboot.
And just so you know, this show is supposed to stick pretty closely to the original Harry Potter books. Not just another remake of the movies, but more of a deep dive into the story. They’re aiming for a 2026 release, so yeah — we’ve got a bit of a wait, but it looks like it’s shaping up to be something really interesting.
What Fans Are Saying
As you’d expect, people have a lot of opinions. Some are totally hyped, saying it's cool to see fresh faces take over these legendary roles. Others are a little unsure, especially since Arabella hasn’t done much TV or film yet. And that’s fair. It’s a big leap from the stage to the screen. But at the same time, she’s clearly talented. Theater actors usually bring a lot of depth and emotion — and that could actually work in her favor.
It’s one of those things where we won’t really know until we see it. But right now, the buzz is real. People are curious, hopeful, and yeah — a little nervous. But that’s kind of the magic of bringing something like Harry Potter back to life again. There’s always going to be big feelings.
