After years of anticipation, HBO’s Harry Potter television reboot is officially in production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, almost exactly 14 years since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 marked the end of the original film saga. Now, a new generation of witches and wizards is preparing to step into the spotlight, with a full reimagining of J.K. Rowling’s beloved series.
In a highly anticipated reveal, the series offered fans their first look at Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, clad in the iconic Hogwarts uniform and round glasses, smiling in character for the cameras. Joining him are Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, rounding out the new Golden Trio that will lead audiences through seven seasons of magical storytelling.
The road to casting these young leads was nothing short of monumental. An open casting call in September 2024, led by acclaimed casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, drew an astonishing 32,000 auditions from children across the U.K. and Ireland. The search was open to actors of all backgrounds, with submissions welcomed regardless of ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, targeting children aged 9–11 as of April 2025.
Behind the scenes, HBO also began exploring options for its supporting cast during late 2024. Actors like Mark Rylance and Mark Strong were reportedly considered for the role of Albus Dumbledore, while Sharon Horgan and Rachel Weisz were in discussions to portray Minerva McGonagall. Additionally, Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein was among the names floated for a reimagined Rubeus Hagrid.
As filming continues, fans are eager to see how these fresh faces will inhabit some of the most iconic roles in fantasy history. Below, we break down everything we know so far about the cast of HBO’s Harry Potter series.
The Main Harry Potter Trio
Dominic McLaughlin, to play Harry Potter
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First played by Daniel Radcliffe.
Before taking on the role of Harry Potter in the TV series adaptation, Dominic McLaughlin appeared as Oliver Gregory in the film Grow, which also featured Nick Frost, who plays Rubeus Hagrid in the new series. Dominic auditioned for Harry Potter between September and November 2024, during a casting call for children aged 9 to 11 by April 2025. After several months of auditions and workshops, including trips to London, he was officially announced for the role on 27 May 2025.
Alastair Stout, to play Ron Weasley
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First played by Rupert Grint.
Alastair Stout is a British actor cast as Ronald Weasley in the Harry Potter television series. After auditioning during a casting call from September to November 2024, targeting children aged 9 to 11 by April 2025, he was officially announced for the role on 27 May 2025.
Arabella Stanton, to play Hermione Granger
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First played by Maggie Smith.
Arabella Stanton is a British actress born around 2013 or 2014. She played Matilda Wormwood in the West End production of Matilda The Musical from September 2023 to March 2024. More recently, she portrayed Control in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express in the West End from July to September 2024.
Hogwart’s Professors
John Lithgow, to play Albus Dumbledore
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First played by Richard Harris (films 1–2), then by Michael Gambon (films 3–8).
John Lithgow is a highly acclaimed actor celebrated for his diverse roles across television and film. He won three Primetime Emmys for his role as Dick Solomon in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001) and received additional Emmys for his performances in Dexter (2009) and The Crown (2016–2019). On film, Lithgow earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in The World According to Garp (1982) and Terms of Endearment (1983).
Janet McTeer, to play Minerva McGonagall
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First played by Maggie Smith.
Janet McTeer is an acclaimed actress honored with a Tony, Olivier, Golden Globe, and two Academy Award nominations for Tumbleweeds and Albert Nobbs. She was appointed OBE in 2008 for services to drama. Her film credits include Wuthering Heights, Velvet Goldmine, The Divergent Series, and The Menu. On TV, she starred in The Governor and received an Emmy nomination for HBO’s Into the Storm.
Paapa Essiedu, to play Severus Snape
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First played by Alan Rickman.
Paapa Essiedu is a British actor who began his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing in productions like Hamlet and King Lear. He gained major recognition for his role in BBC’s I May Destroy You, earning Emmy and BAFTA nominations. Essiedu has starred in Gangs of London, The Lazarus Project, and Black Mirror: Demon 79, and made his film debut in Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express. His recent work includes the films Men, Genie, and The Outrun, alongside acclaimed stage performances in A Number and The Effect.
Nick Frost, to play Rubeus Hagrid
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First played by Robbie Coltrane.
Nick Frost is an English actor, comedian, and screenwriter best known for his roles in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy—Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End. He gained early recognition in the TV comedy Spaced and appeared in Joe Cornish’s Attack the Block. Frost co-wrote and starred in the sci-fi comedy Paul, and in 2020, he co-created and starred in the paranormal comedy-horror series Truth Seekers.
Louise Brealey, to play Madam Rolanda Hooch
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First played by Zoë Wanamaker.
Louise Brealey is an English actress, writer, and journalist best known for her role as pathologist Molly Hooper in all four series of Sherlock. She has showcased her versatility through diverse roles, including a Yorkshire doctor in Ripper Street, a Cockney ne’er-do-well in Law & Order: UK, a widow in Inspector George Gently, and an academic in Clique. In 2023, she starred in the BBC sitcom Such Brave Girls and co-starred in the romantic musical film Chuck Chuck Baby.
Anton Lesser, to play Garrick Ollivander
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First played by John Hurt.
Anton Lesser is a British actor renowned for his roles as Qyburn in Game of Thrones, Harold Macmillan in The Crown, Clement Attlee in A United Kingdom, Chief Superintendent Bright in Endeavour, and Lio Partagaz in Andor. A longtime associate of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Lesser has brought numerous Shakespearean characters to life on stage and screen. His portrayal of the enigmatic mad scientist Qyburn during Game of Thrones’ third season earned him critical praise, and his role as the Imperial Security Bureau agent Lio Partagaz in Andor was noted for its “powerful coolness” by critics.
Luke Thallon, to play Quirinus Quirrell
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First played by Ian Hart.
Luke Thallon is a British stage actor recognized for his work in Mike Bartlett’s Albion, earning a 2017 Emerging Talent Award nomination, and winning the 2021 Clarence Derwent Award for Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt. He starred in Bess Wohl’s Camp Siegfried, was named one of The Stage’s “25 Theatremakers of the Future” (2022), and originated with Roman Abramovich in Peter Morgan’s Patriots, which played in the West End and on Broadway.
Paul Whitehouse, to play Argus Filch
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First played by David Bradley.
Paul Whitehouse is a Welsh actor, writer, and comedian best known for starring in the BBC sketch show The Fast Show and collaborating with Harry Enfield in Harry & Paul and Harry Enfield & Chums. He also appears alongside Bob Mortimer in Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing and has acted in films such as Corpse Bride (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and The Death of Stalin (2017).
Other Hogwart’s Students
Rory Wilmot, to play Neville Longbottom
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First played by Matthew Lewis.
Rory Wilmot is a British actor best known for being cast as Neville Longbottom in the new Harry Potter TV series. He began his acting career in 2024, appearing as Edvard Lassen in the TV series FBI: International, and is also set to appear as Anthony in the upcoming series Out of the Dust.
Lox Pratt, to play Draco Malfoy
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First played by Tom Felton.
Lox Pratt is a British actor cast as Draco Malfoy in the new Harry Potter TV series. After responding to a casting call in late 2024, he secured the role in mid-2025. Due to filming commitments, Pratt transitioned from his regular school to a specially designed mini-school during breaks. He previously appeared as Jack in the television adaptation of The Lord of the Flies.
Leo Earley, to play Seamus Finnigan
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First played by Devon Murray.
Leo Earley is an Irish child actor playing Seamus Finnigan in the new Harry Potter TV series. A talented performer from a young age, he showcased his skills by speaking Irish at the Fleadh 2024 festival and singing on the Late Late Toy Show. Following his casting, Earley left his regular school to attend a mini-school during filming breaks.
Alessia Leoni, to play Parvati Patil
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First played by Sitara Shah (film 3), then by Shefali Chowdhury (films 4–8).
Alessia Leoni is a British actress cast as Parvati Patil in the Harry Potter TV series. After auditioning in late 2024, she secured the role in June 2025. Due to filming commitments, Leoni left her regular school and now receives her education on set during breaks.
Sienna Moosah, to play Lavender Brown
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First played by Jennifer Smith (film 3), then by Jessie Cave (films 6–8).
Sienna Moosah, born in 2015, is a British actress playing Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter TV series. After responding to a casting call in late 2024, she was cast for the role. Due to filming, Moosah withdrew from regular schooling and now attends a mini-school during breaks when she’s not filming.
Other Adult Wizards
Bertie Carvel, to play Cornelius Fudge
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First played by Robert Hardy.
Bertie Carvel, born in 1977, is a British film and theatre actor known for his award-winning stage performances, including two Laurence Olivier Awards for Matilda the Musical and Ink, the latter earning him a Tony Award as well. On television, he is recognized for roles such as Jonathan Strange in Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Simon Foster in Doctor Foster, Adam Dalgliesh in Dalgliesh, and Tony Blair in The Crown. He also starred in the ITV drama The Sister in 2020.
Katherine Parkinson, to play Molly Weasley
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First played by Julie Walters.
Katherine Parkinson is best known for her role as Jen Barber in the Channel 4 comedy The IT Crowd, which earned her the BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2014. She was a main cast member on Doc Martin for three series (2005–2009) and starred in the AMC/Channel 4 sci-fi drama Humans (2015–2018). Her film credits include The Boat That Rocked (2009) and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018). In 2020, she appeared on Taskmaster series 10, and in 2024 she portrayed Lizzie Vereker in Disney+’s period drama Rivals, earning a 2025 BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Johnny Flynn, to play Lucius Malfoy
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First played by Jason Isaacs.
Johnny Flynn is a British actor and musician known for his role as Dylan Witter in the Channel 4 and Netflix sitcom Lovesick. He gained further recognition for portraying David Bowie in the 2020 film Stardust, Mr. Knightley in Emma (2020), and young Nicholas Winton in One Life (2023). Flynn is also the lead singer and songwriter of the band Johnny Flynn & the Sussex Wit, with six studio albums to his name, and he composed and performed the theme song for the comedy series Detectorists.
The Dursleys
Bel Powley, to play Petunia Dursley
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First played by Fiona Shaw.
Bel Powley started her career on the CBBC series M.I. High (2007–2008). She gained acclaim for A Royal Night Out (2015) and The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015), earning several award nominations and a Cannes Trophée Chopard win. Recently, she starred in A Small Light (2023), receiving Critics' Choice and SAG Award nominations.
Daniel Rigby, to play Vernon Dursley
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First played by Richard Griffiths.
Daniel Rigby won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor in 2011 for his portrayal of Eric Morecambe in Eric and Ernie, beating notable actors like Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch. He voiced Copenhagen in the BBC Radio 4 comedy Warhorses of Letters (2011–2014) and performed in Tom Basden’s Holes at the Arcola Theatre in 2014. Rigby narrated the Teletubbies reboot in 2015 and won Best Actor at the 2016 Manchester Theatre Awards for playing Alan Turing in Breaking the Code. In 2024, he appeared in the Disney+ series Renegade Nell.
Amos Kitson, to play Dudley Dursley
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First played by Harry Melling.
Amos Kitson is a British actor best known for portraying Dudley Dursley in the upcoming Harry Potter television series.
As production progresses and excitement builds, HBO’s Harry Potter series promises to bring a fresh, diverse, and dynamic new cast to life, honoring the magic of J.K. Rowling’s world while inviting a whole new generation of fans into Hogwarts. With such a promising lineup, ranging from rising young talents like Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout to acclaimed veterans like John Lithgow and Janet McTeer, this adaptation is set to be both respectful of its roots and boldly original.
Whether you’re a longtime Potterhead or new to the wizarding world, the full cast of HBO’s Harry Potter series offers plenty to look forward to as the story unfolds once again, this time on the small screen.
