Advanced Television

HBO reveals Harry Potter series cast

April 14, 2025

By Nik Roseveare

The HBO Original Harry Potter series has cast celebrated Hollywood actor John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore; Tony Award, Golden Globe, and Olivier winner, and Oscar and Emmy nominee Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall; Paapa Essiedu, star of Gangs of London and The Lazarus Project, as Severus Snape; and Nick Frost, of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz fame, as Rubeus Hagrid. All will serve as series regulars.

Additionally, newly announced guest/recurring cast include rising star Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and iconic British comedian Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.

“We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch,” commented Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer. “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”

The series will serve as a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer JK Rowling. Speaking at a showcase event in December 2024, Mylod said the series will be “an evolution” of the stories. Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring the Harry Potter adventures to new and existing audiences and will stream exclusively on Max (where it’s available) globally, including upcoming markets such as the UK, Germany, Turkey and Italy, among others.

The upcoming series is written and executive produced by Gardiner. Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The series is executive produced by Rowling, Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.

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