Keira Knightley cast as Professor Umbridge in Harry Potter audiobook

Keira Knightley has been cast as Dolores Umbridge in a Harry Potter audiobook.

The Pride and Prejudice star, 40, will play the antagonistic professor in an audio adaptation of JK Rowling’s series.

Knightley will appear alongside Kit Harington and Simon Pegg in a cast of 200 people for the Audible series.

Other actors have faced criticism for agreeing to appear in the audiobook because it is part-commissioned by gender-critical Rowling’s company Pottermore Publishing.

The author has been repeatedly targeted by pro-trans activists in recent years over her belief that sex is immutable.

Imelda Staunton played Professor Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter film series – United Archives GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

Others appearing in the series include The Chronicles Of Narnia actor James McAvoy and One Day’s Ambika Mod.

They will be joined in Audible’s Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions by Kit Harington, Iwan Rheon, Simon Pegg, Matt Berry, Gemma Whelan, Leo Woodall, and Ruth Wilson, when it launches with Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone on Nov 4.

McAvoy will play Mad-Eye Moody, Mod will play Nymphadora Tonks, Arthur Weasley will be played by Pegg, Harington will play Professor Lockhart, Berry will play Sir Cadogan, Professor Sprout will be played by Whelan, and Wilson will play Bellatrix Lestrange. In addition, Rheon will play Professor Lupin and Woodall will play Bill Weasley.

McAvoy said: “I am absolutely thrilled to bring the fiercely determined Mad-Eye Moody to life in these dynamic audio editions from Pottermore and Audible.

“He’s a layered character, constantly shifting between battle-hardened intensity and unexpected moments of wisdom. Capturing his commanding presence was incredibly fun.”

Woodall added: “In creating Bill Weasley’s adventures through voice, it is genuinely special to be part of bringing this world to life in a new way for listeners.

“From the stellar cast to the immersive sound world that Pottermore and Audible have put together, listeners everywhere will be given a new way to be transported directly into these celebrated stories.”

Simon Pegg has been cast as Ron Weasley’s father, Arthur Weasley – Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPE-EFE/Shutterstock

It comes after it was announced that Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton will portray Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively, in audiobooks one, two and three.

Stanton is also due to play Hermione in a new HBO series of the fantasy franchise alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis will take on the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, respectively, beginning in audiobook four and carrying through to the conclusion of the series.

The series will also star the already announced Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, and Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape.

After the first edition, each following audiobook will be released on Audible on a monthly basis.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.