Now that HBO has officially started production on its Harry Potter reboot, fans have a much better sense of who is playing who. This isn't simply a remake of the films — it's a new, longer, more detailed adaptation of J.K. Rowling's books, which has plans for multiple seasons — which means more time with the characters, more time to develop storylines, and a chance to really explore parts of Hogwarts we didn't see in the films. The casting is a sign of this — thirtyish-year-old actors for the adult roles, mostly inexperienced young actors for Harry, Ron, and Hermione, etc. It seems that each character was carefully chosen. HBO looks like they are serious about getting the tone, thank, and timing right.
The Golden Trio: Harry, Hermione & Ron
Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
Dominic is a young Scottish actor and this is his first major television role. Dominic trained at the Performance Academy Scotland before being selected for the part after a lengthy casting process reaching into the thousands of hopefuls from across the UK and Ireland. It is said that Dominic brings a natural air of quiet strength and introspection to Harry - a boy who is far more observant and layered than has been contrived in the past. The casting team felt that they were looking for someone that would be able to grow along with the series and carry Harry's trauma, isolation and eventual burgeoning leadership.
Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
Arabella comes from the West End stage where she performed in Matilda: The Musical. It is said that Arabella is bright, articulate and emotionally intuitive. These qualities align well with Hermione's character. The fan response has been positive as her stage experience and natural humility come through in all her assessment. We expect Arabella's performance to delve into Hermione's inner conflicts about being a Muggle-born in the magical world and her fierce loyalty to friends and causes.
Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
Alastair is relatively new to acting, but he impressed producers during audition with his chemistry with the other two leads. Ron is typically thought of as a comic relief character in the films, but we anticipate Ron will also be a more balanced character in this series with the depiction of someone who is complacently brave, insecure, funny, and ridiculously loyal. Alastair is being described as grounded and warm Ron , helping to cast the trio's heart.
Students at Hogwarts
Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom
Rory in the shy awkward, but ultimately brave Gryffindor student. Early reports indicate that this version will provide more attention to Neville's development over the school years - his struggle for confidence, and his relationship to the prophecy.
Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy
Lox parts as Draco Malfoy, who is the Slytherin rival of Harry Potters. With a strong screen presence and emotional depth, Lox is likely to provide a more nuanced Draco than was seen before - the privileged boy subject to family obligations.
Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan
Leo plays the explosive, but well-meaning, and good-hearted, and beloved Gryffindor classmate. His character will bring moments of levity and nonsense, but also feel like he is a fellow actor with group dynamics more so than has been done before.
Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil
Alessia plays the smart, stylish, Gryffindor student. I expect her character to grow in relationship to the main trio as the show moves on.
Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown
In portraying Lavender, Sienna is able to be more than just comic relief. Her romantic attraction to Ron will be shown subtly and with more emotional nuances and feeling.
Hogwarts Professors and Faculty
John Lithgow as Professor Albus Dumbledore
Veteran actor John Lithgow plays Dumbledore as a wise yet emotionally conflicted headmaster, and is expected to bring Dumbledore's mentoring and worrying about how much to disclose to Harry at what time, to life.
Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall
Janet is a respected stage and screen actor, and should bring a sense of authority in Professor McGonagall's role as Head of house and Transfiguration professor. Janet's McGonagall is likely to be both measured in her response to students and providing covert protective care for students.
Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape
Paapa is well-known for his intense and emotional performances. He is going to play Snape in such a way that is less ambiguous and more tragic from the outset; he will make us question Snape's motivations and sympathies.
Nick Frost as Hagrid
Nick is known for playing comedic, gentle characters. We expect that as Hagrid, he will display a great deal of humor, and warmth, in playing the half-giant groundskeeper, the character who first introduces Harry to the wizarding world. We can expect a very affectionate version of Hagrid, much more open and emotionally available than the character in past adaptations!
Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell
Luke will play the nervous, stuttery Defense Against the Dark Arts professor with a little more of a background on his fear and eventual betrayal. This series will be exploring the concept of how he was seduced by Voldemort's influence.
Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
Paul is a veteran comedic actor and will bring a special sauce of grumpiness and dark humor to the Hogwarts caretaker.
HBO Shares First Look at New Harry Potter Series as Filming Begins
Supporting Adults & Wizarding World Characters
Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley
Katherine's been in more warm-hearted but strong roles in her career, so kick-off the opportunities for a deeper and more layered depiction of Molly, rather than just a pure caring mother, but an original strong witch with motherly instinct, and also as a fierce protector of her family!
Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy
Johnny is playing Draco’s father Lucius, who is also a high-caste wizard and a member of Voldemort’s inner circle. Johnny’s interpretation of Lucius will show the tension between the respectability of propriety and the private corruption!
Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley
Can you be purposely contemptible? we think yes. Bel plays emotionally distant Aunt Petunia, and while she won't shy away from playing cruelly toward Harry, we expect Petunia to acknowledge her own pain and jealousy of her sister, Lily!
Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley
Daniel plays Harry’s controlling uncle Vernon, but while the original series leaned into phenomenally over-the-top slapstick comedy, through new material, the cycle will lean significantly into emotional realism as Vernon represents the abuse Harry experienced while living on Privet Drive.
Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley
Amos plays Harry's spoiled cousin—potentially showing more of Dudley’s own change over time if we are lucky enough to go for more seasons.
Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge
Bertie plays the Minister of Magic, and you'll see a version of Fudge that moves from friendly politician to manipulative bureaucrat over the course of the story.
Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch
Louise plays the flying instructor and Quidditch referee. Madam Hooch will be energetic, no-nonsense, but encouraging of student talent.
Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander
Anton is the mysterious wand maker! His scenes will carry a magical weight and tradition specifically in Harry's first trip to Diagon Alley.
