Warner Bros. announced that they have officially cast four series regulars in the upcoming Harry Potter series from HBO: John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
The streamer is touting the series as “a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series” by J.K. Rowling, who also exec produces with Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
The fantasy book series was previously adapted as seven films, beginning with the 2001 movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II (2011). An official synopsis states: “Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring Harry Potter and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences.”
The newly announced cast also includes Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch. Whitehouse is the only actor cast thus far to have appeared in any of the original films (he played Sir Cadogan in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).
Executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said in a press release: “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.” Gardiner also serves as showrunner, while Mylod directs multiple episodes.
Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO & Max Content, previously said the Harry Potter series would be a “deep dive” into each of Rowling’s novels, and emphasized that the TV series will run for 10 consecutive years.
The series will air on HBO Max; a release date has not yet been shared.
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