![\"HARRY](\"https:\/\/pyxis.nymag.com\/v1\/imgs\/19c\/1d3\/b13627ccedfcd786287cb3441c4e37c329-harry-potter.rsquare.w330.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n\n This is what they call the \u201cdark arts,\u201d HBO is really making the first scripted Harry Potter show<\/a>. Yes, the decadelong project, rebranded as an HBO Original instead of a Max Original, has the series\u2019 controversial anti-trans author J.K<\/a>. Rowling onboard<\/a> as an executive producer, but who else is going to bring the Boy Who Lived to life again? The main trio \u2014 Harry, Ron, and Hermione \u2014 as well as a gaggle of fellow Hogwarts first-years, professors, and alumni have been cast so far<\/a>. <\/strong>Below, everything else we know ahead of the planned release date<\/a>, including who else is officially heading to Hogwarts<\/a>.<\/p>\n Max has declared that this \u201cdecade-long series\u201d will span all seven Harry Potter<\/a> books in a \u201cfaithful re-creation\u201d of the text, promising that the show will be made with \u201cthe same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for.\u00a0The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail, much loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans<\/a> have loved for over twenty-five years<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Your Hogwarts letter is here. <\/p>\n Max has ordered the first ever #HarryPotter<\/a> scripted television series, a faithful adaptation of the iconic books. #StreamOnMax<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3CgEHLYhch<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Actually HBO Max (@StreamOnMax) April 12, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n Yup. Warner Bros. stands by her involvement and is speaking to the book series\u2019 message of \u201cacceptance\u201d (their words). On November 20, Variety<\/a> reported the studio defended Rowling\u2019s \u201cright to express her personal views\u201d in a short statement. They concluded, \u201cWe will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.\u201d<\/p>\n At a Q&A after the show was announced in April 2023, chairman and CEO of HBO & Max content Casey Bloys confirmed that Rowling, who has been aligning herself on Twitter with far-right figures<\/a> posting content that is not only transphobic<\/a> but also racist<\/a>, \u201cwill be involved\u201d with the series as an executive producer. \u201cI think her insights are going to be incredibly helpful on that,\u201d Bloys said.<\/p>\n Bloys deflected a question about Rowling\u2019s transphobic comments, saying, \u201cI don\u2019t think this is the forum,\u201d and \u201cOur priority is what\u2019s onscreen. Obviously, the Harry Potter story is very affirmative and positive and about love and acceptance.\u201d Bloys dismissed the question because it\u2019s \u201ca very online conversation,\u201d which, like \u2026 what do you think a streaming service is, Casey? Where do you think it streams? <\/p>\n In a written statement, Rowling said, \u201cMax\u2019s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I\u2019m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series.\u201d Look at how easy it was for Joanne to pivot to using the platform\u2019s new chosen name! Almost like it\u2019s an easy, reasonable thing to do.<\/p>\n Harry Potter himself will be played by newcomer Dominic McLaughlin. He\u2019s joined by his soon-to-be best friends for life, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Draco Malfoy is Lox Pratt, who gets Johnny Flynn for a father figure as Lucius Malfoy, a role originated by Jason Isaacs. These were announced on June 9<\/a> alongside Bel Powley as Aunt Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, and Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown. HBO also set Tony and Olivier Award winner\u00a0Bertie Carvel<\/a> as Cornelius Fudge. Does a 33-year-old Aunt Petunia mean we\u2019ll get flashbacks to Lily and James Potter before their deaths? Or is everyone getting the Hot Snape treatment<\/a>?<\/p>\n Now, we have a familiar face. Warwick Davis, who played Professor Filius Flitwick in the original films, will reprise his role for the next generation. Other (new) professors joining him are: Sirine Saba joins as the Herbology Professor Pomona Sprout, Richard Durden follows as History Professor Cuthbert Binns (and first ghost professor of Hogwarts), and Br\u00edd Brennan as Madam Poppy Pomfrey, who was the nurse of the school.<\/p>\n As for new kids on the block, a few more wizards are on their way to Hogwarts. Elijah Oshin will play Dean Thomas (Gryffindor), Finn Stephens will play Vincent Crabbe, and William Nash will be Gregory Goyle \u2014 both Slytherins and friends of Malfoy.<\/p>\n It\u2019s time to meet the Weasleys. On August 19, HBO confirmed who will play Ron\u2019s red-headed siblings. Going from oldest to youngest of the Weasleys, Ruari Spooner will play Percy Weasley, Tristan Harland stars as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland stars as George Weasley, and Gracie Cochrane will be Ginny Weasley. No word yet on who will play the eldest Weasley brothers, Bill and Charlie.<\/p>\n John Lithgow will don Albus Dumbledore\u2019s white beard; he confirmed<\/a> the news in an interview with Screen Rant shortly after the rumors began circulating. He had some doubts as the role would define the \u201clast chapter\u201d of his career. However, he\u2019s willing to go out with a Bombarda.<\/p>\n I May Destroy You actor Paapa Essiedu<\/a> will play Severus Snape, Ozark\u2019s Janet McTeer will transform into Minerva McGonagall, and Hot Fuzz\u2019s Nick Frost will play Rubeus Hagrid as series regulars. For guest spots, West End actor Luke Thallon was cast as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch. Whitehouse is getting a redemption arc\u2014 he was in deleted scenes for the third Harry Potter film as Sir Cadogan. \u201cWe 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,\u201d\u00a0showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod shared in a statement through HBO. \u201cWe\u2019re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can\u2019t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.\u201d<\/p>\n In September 2024, HBO posted an open casting call<\/a> searching for the lead trio. The call specified that it was looking for children from the United Kingdom or Ireland who will be between the ages of 9 and 11 in April 2025, and noted HBO\u2019s commitment to \u201cinclusive, diverse casting.\u201d<\/p>\n HBO is going all in on Succession. Per Entertainment Weekly<\/a>, Succession writer Francesca Gardiner has been brought onboard as the showrunner and lead writer, while Succession director Mark Mylod will executive-produce and direct multiple episodes. (Who\u2019s better at delivering insults<\/a>, Logan Roy or Severus Snape?) Gardiner previously wrote for HBO\u2019s adaptation of His Dark Materials<\/a> and executive-produced Killing Eve<\/a>, while Mylod\u2019s directing credits include Game of Thrones<\/a> and The Menu<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said in a February earnings call that the Harry Potter series is aiming for a 2026 premiere, so we\u2019ve still got a while until TV Hogwarts will be ready open its doors and tries to make some magic happen.<\/p>\n This post has been updated. <\/p>\n
\n Photo: Warner Bros\/Everett Collection<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\nRelated<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n