©Courtesy of Warner Brothers Discovery
HBO has confirmed the cast members for its upcoming TV series based on the Harry Potter stories by J.K. Rowling.
John Lithgow will be playing the role of headmaster Albus Dumbledore, while Janet McTeer will be cast as Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu will appear as Potions Professor Severus Shape. As confirmed earlier, Nick Frost will portray the Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid.
In addition, actor Luke Thallon is being cast as Profesor Quirinus Quirrel and Paul Whitehouse will appear as Argus Fitch, the caretaker at Hogwarts.
HBO has not yet indicated who will be playing the children’s roles of Harry, Ron, Hermione, or Draco, though the studio has been auditioning many thousands of prospective candidates.
In announcing the above characters, HBO’s Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod stated: :“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 is showrunner and executive producer, while Mylod, also an executive producer, will direct several episodes.
All of the actors chosen for the upcoming series have recently appeared on the big screen. Lithgow has been seen in Conclave and The Crown, McTee in Tumbleweeds and The White Queen, Essiedu in I May Destroy You and Gangs of London, and Frost in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Also, Thallon appeared in Leopoldstadt and Patriots, while Whitehouse’s credits include The Fast Show and Harry & Paul.
According to the producers, the series will be a “faithful adaptation” of the Harry Potter stories. In an official statement, HBO said in part: “Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring ‘Harry Potter’ and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences.”
The Harry Potter series is being created by HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television.