Warner Bros.Ever since the Harry Potter TV show was first announced, the world has been left wondering who will make up the cast, especially the actors stepping into the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
The wizarding trio were originally brought to life on the big screen by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. The Harry Potter movie series proved to be just as popular as the books – and some of the highest-grossing films of all time.
However, now it’s time to adapt the stories for a new generation, with HBO commissioning a 10-year, seven-season show, which is set to debut in 2027.
There’s been plenty of chat about the cast, from Nick Frost playing Hagrid to John Lithgow’s confirmation as Dumbledore. Amid many rumors, it’s been hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, but not anymore, as HBO has confirmed six key cast members.
Harry Potter TV show gets six cast members confirmed
On April 14, 2025, HBO confirmed the following cast members and the characters they’ll play:
- John Lithgow as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrel
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
Although the first four had been rumored, this is the first time the network has confirmed their addition to the Harry Potter series. Lithgow, McTeer, Essiedu, and Frost will all appear as series regulars, as reported by THR.
Whitehouse, the legendary British comedian of The Fast Show fame, is a surprise addition, taking on the role of the Hogwarts caretaker. The same goes for stage actor Thallon, who’ll be playing the infamous Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Related
Executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said, “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”
As for where you recognize the rest of the cast, Lithgow will be instantly recognizable to ’90s kids for his turn in 3rd Rock From the Sun. More recently, he appeared in the critically acclaimed Conclave.
He’ll be taking over from the late Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. Dumbledore is also famously played by Jude Law in the Fantastic Beasts films.
BBCMcTeer of Ozark fame is filling in as Transfiguration Professor McGonagall, played in the Harry Potter movies by the late Maggie Smith.
Black Mirror and I May Destroy You star Essiedu steps into the late Alan Rickman’s shoes for Potions Professor Snape, and Shaun of the Dead’s Frost is taking over from the late Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid.
This, of course, means we don’t know who our Harry, Hermione, and Ron are just yet. But given casting calls for the characters were released back in September 2024, we can expect some news very soon.
Until then, read about why Essiedu is the perfect Snape, the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child rumor, and find more TV shows dropping this month.