The speculation and speculation has finally come to an end, as HBO has announced the names of the actors who will play some of the most famous characters in the new TV adaptation of the "Harry Potter" series by author J. K. Rowling.
John Lithgow will play Albus Dumbledore, Papa Essiedu will play Severus Snape, Janet McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost will play Rubeus Hagrid. All four will be regular cast members, reports The Guardian.
It was also announced that Luke Talon would play Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse would play Argus Filch – in guest and recurring roles.
The series, which is planned to last for more than a decade, comes from the pen of writer and executive producer Francesca Gardiner, and director and executive producer Mark Maylod, known for his work on the series "Succession".
"We are thrilled to have such exceptional talent on the team and can't wait to see them bring these beloved characters to life," the producers said.
New actors – big shoes to fill
American actor John Lithgow, who recently starred in the award-winning thriller "Conclave," takes on the role played in the films by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. Dumbledore, as the headmaster of Hogwarts School, is a caring and powerful wizard who becomes Harry's mentor in his fight against Voldemort.
Mark Rylance was previously in the running for the role, but Lithgow – a multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, Olivia and Tony Award winner – himself boasted about the role back in February.
Papa Essiedu, an Emmy nominee for his role in the acclaimed series "I May Destroy You," will play Snape, the Potions professor played by Alan Rickman in the films. Snape often clashes with Harry, and his tragic past and unrequited love for Harry's mother are later revealed.
Tony, Olivier and Golden Globe winner Janet McTeer will play McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor house, who was played in the film by Maggie Smith. McTeer is known for the films "Wuthering Heights" and "Me."
Nick Frost, best known for his roles in the comedies Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, will take over the role of Hagrid from the late Robbie Coltrane – the keeper of the keys and grounds at Hogwarts, and a loyal friend to Harry and his friends.
Fans divided, but excitement is growing
The new cast has received mixed reactions from fans. The news of an Afro-British actor being cast as Snape, who is described in the books as having "oily shoulder-length black hair, a hooked nose, and pale skin," has sparked particular attention. Some fans have also expressed concern that an American actor will play Dumbledore.
The main trio – Harry, Hermione and Ron – have not yet been cast, but it is expected that these roles will go to new young actors, given that Warner Bros. last fall held an audition for children aged 9 to 11. There have also been rumors that Cillian Murphy could play Voldemort.
According to HBO, the series will be a "faithful adaptation" of the original books by J.K. Rowling, who serves as an executive producer. The new cast will allow for a deeper exploration of detail than the films made between 2001 and 2011.
When announcing the series in April 2023, the Max platform (formerly HBO Max) promised that each season "will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and his incredible adventures to new generations around the world, while the original films will remain the core of the franchise and be available globally."
Controversies and expectations
Rowling retains ownership of key elements of the Harry Potter intellectual property, including the characters. However, her involvement has been controversial due to her views on transgender people, which have drawn criticism even from some former actors in the films. The total value of the Potter universe – including the books, films, video games and theatre – is estimated to be around £20 billion ($25 billion).
The series is expected to premiere in 2026, almost 30 years after the publication of the first book (1997) and 15 years after the final film.
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