Harry Potter TV series officially confirms 6 ‘extraordinary’ stars joining reboot cast

After months of speculation we’ve had official news on the new Harry Potter cast (Picture: Moviepix)

After months of speculation and rumour HBO has officially announced several stars set to join the Harry Potter reboot cast. 

Six new cast members have been announced in total, including several who were already heavily rumoured to be joining the TV series.

John Lithgow has now been confirmed as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, after the American actor revealed the news himself in an interview.

The 79-year-old said that the role came as a ‘total surprise’ to him, adding that it was not an easy decision to accept the part ‘because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life’.

I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu, 34, was heavily rumoured to be playing Potions master Severus Snape, a rumour that has now turned out to be true.

Nick Frost, 53, has also been confirmed to be starring as Rubeus Hagrid after the actor was speculated to have been cast as the beloved Hogwarts groundskeeper.

John Lithgow will be playing Professor Dumbledore (Picture: Jessica Howes) Paapa Essiedu will be playing stern potions master Severus Snape (Picture: Ruth Crafer)

In addition to Lithgow, Essiedu and Frost, another new cast member joining as a series regular is Tumbleweeds actress Janet McTeer, 63, who’ll be stepping into the shoes of Head of Gryffindor House, Minerva McGonagall.

There are also two actors who are joining the TV series as guest and recurring cast members, the first of which is Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone who turns out to be hiding a dark secret.

The actor has been highly praised for his theatre performances, with Deadline writing of his stage work: ‘He’s unknown outside of the theatre world. But within it, he’s celebrated and adored, because he can, seemingly effortlessly, take on any role.’

Nick Frost will be playing Hogwarts Keeper of the Keys Hagrid (Picture: Lee Malone) Janet McTeer will be taking on the role of Professor McGonagall (Picture: Andrew Crowley)

The last of the actors announced for the show for the time being is Paul Whitehouse, 66, who’s going to be portraying Squib caretaker Argus Filch.

The Welsh actor and comedian has previously starred in programmes including The Fast Show, Harry & Paul and Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.

In a statement, Harry Potter showrunner Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and an executive producer said they were ‘delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard,’ adding: ‘We can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.’ 

There has been intense speculation about the new Harry Potter cast since the TV reboot was announced on April 12, 2023.

Several big-name actors were rumoured to be in contention for roles in the series which has been described as a ‘faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series’.  

Who's in the confirmed cast list for the Harry Potter TV series so far?

At this point, the officially confirmed cast members set to star in the Harry Potter TV reboot are…

John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch Luke Thallon meanwhile will star as poor Professor Quirrell (Picture: Phil Sharp) Finally, Paul Whitehouse will be sweeping Hogwarts as the grumpy caretaker, Argus Filtch (Picture: Mike Marsland)

Mark Strong was supposedly up for the role of Dumbledore while Sharon Horgan and Brett Goldstein were considered for Minerva McGonagall and Hagrid.  

Sadly, there’s no news about who’s playing He Who Shall not be Named, aka the dark Lord Voldemort although fans are convinced Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy is set to wield the wand.  

As for the golden trio – Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger – there hasn’t been any official news. However, 32,000 children are reported by the BBC to have auditioned for the role. 

The news that Harry’s adventures are being adapted for television has been divisive. Some Harry Potter fans have expressed excitement at the idea of a more faithful adaptation of JK Rowling’s books, while others have been more sceptical, criticising the move as uncreative.  

Alan Rickman brought a haunting quality to his portrayal of Severus Snape (Picture: Murray Close/ Getty Images/Moviepix)

‘I am very, very excited for this,’ wrote @GolgothaD on X. ‘10 more years, and finally we can see it on screen, as close to the books as possible.’ @ShutUpBudgie was similarly enthusiastic writing, ‘No one is taking away the books. No one is taking away the movies. This is supposed to be faithful to the books with Rowling’s backing. Very excited!’ 

@KinoeCole, however, said he was ‘beyond disappointed’ with the news, before adding ‘no fans wanted Harry to be redone. Give us origins of Hogwarts, The Marauders, Tom Riddle, [Or the] Order of The Phoenix.’ 

A number of fans have also said they plan to boycott the TV series due to Rowling’s comments about the trans community. Rowling, 59, has been criticised by some fans for expressing views that have been described as transphobic by the LGBTQ+ community and civil rights groups.  

Following the official announcement of the TV show the Wizarding News – a group dedicated to reporting the latest Harry Potter news – wrote on X that ‘any new Harry Potter TV show made with or by JK Rowling will be met with loud and constant protest’.

In a previous tweet, the group called for a boycott of the franchise for as long as Rowling was working with Warner Bros. Discovery.  

Will you be watching the Harry Potter TV show? Yes No Share on FacebookShare your results Share on XTweet your results

Responding to the boycott plans, Rowling penned a scathing reply, writing on X: ‘Dreadful news, which I feel duty bound to share. Activists in my mentions are trying to organise yet another boycott of my work, this time of the Harry Potter TV show. As forewarned is forearmed, I’ve taken the precaution of laying in a large stock of champagne.’ 

Several members of the Harry Potter movie cast have been critical of Rowling’s views on trans people including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, while others like Miriam Margolyes and Ralph Fiennes have defended her.

Regardless of Rowling’s politics, it’s clear HBO believes it’s onto a winner with the Harry Potter TV show.

It’s been reported that the series will span the course of a decade with each season adapting one book in the franchise.  

The Harry Potter TV show will stream exclusively on Max 

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