IT’S one of the most eagerly awaited TV series ever – and landing a part in HBO’s new Harry Potter reboot could be a sprinkle of magic for the actors involved, or a bit of a curse.
For many fans, no cast could live up to the stars of the original much-loved movie franchise.
But for others, the chance to dive back into the much-loved stories — which are set to be told as a decade-long TV series — is spellbinding.
So there was a mixed reaction when HBO confirmed the first cast members yesterday – with John Lithgow set to play Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu will star as Severus Snape.
They will be supported by Paul Whitehouse in the role of Argus Filch, Nick Frost as Hagrid and Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrel.
The casting of Paapa Essiedu, who also starred in Gangs Of London and The Lazarus Project, as “sallow-skinned” bully Professor Snape has proved the most controversial.
But the choice of an actor known for roles exploring marginalisation and prejudice seems a clear sign from producers that they plan to show a different side to Professor Snape, who clashed with Harry’s father James as a teen.
Snape was originally played by the late Alan Rickman in the movies – a tough act to follow.
There are also big shoes to fill in Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, who played the original leading roles of Harry, Ron Weasley and Hermione Grainger.
While the young leads have yet to be cast, more than than 32,000 kids from across the UK and Ireland have auditioned.
Rumours are also swirling that Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy is set to become the evil Lord Voldemort.
With his intense style, he could be the perfect choice for a series that promises to be much darker than the original movies.
In charge are showrunner Francesca Gardiner, who worked on Succession, Killing Eve and the BBC’s His Dark Materials, and director Mike Mylod, also known for Succession and Game of Thrones.
Both have a taste for psychological warfare and a splash of horror – and Gardiner has spoken in the past about her dislike of patronising children.
So expect a grittier version of JK Rowling’s classic stories, with each of the seven books adapted into an entire season.
And don’t be surprised if the show isn’t scared to ruffle feathers – as it has already done so by its embrace of JK herself.
The author, 59, has been under fire in recent years for her outspoken gender-critical views which have even led to a split between her and the stars at the heart of the original films.
But HBO have refused to bend to criticism, and have Rowling on board as an executive producer for the show.
“J.K. Rowling has the right to express her personal views,” HBO told Variety in a statement last month.
“We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”
Her inclusion will be a relief to those fearful that a TV adaptation could ruin what many consider to be an already-perfect set of films.
And Rowling’s direct involvement is just one of many reasons to be confident this new series will make a whole new generation wish they went to Hogwarts.
‘Wizard-like touch’
Chris Columbus, director of the first two Harry Potter films, called the HBO series a “spectacular idea”.
“You can get all the stuff in the series that we didn’t have an opportunity to do,” he told People magazine.
Producers have said they want to dig into the lives of the Hogwarts staff – and a key role will be headmaster Albus Dumbledore, set to be played by American actor John Lithgow
He recently starred alongside Ralph Fiennes in this year’s Academy Award-winner Conclave and will no doubt be taking notes from Fiennes, who played arch-villian Lord Voldemort in the films.
He’ll need to as he’s not a big Potterhead himself – confessing he doesn’t know the Harry Potter series by heart, “as 98 per cent of the world’s population seems to.”
In the films, Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris, and the late Michael Gambon, who died in 2023.
And based on what Lithgow has said so far, we can expect his take on the character to be pretty faithful to the headmaster we know and love.
He said: “I was a huge admirer of Michael Gambon. I never met him, but I always kind of idolized him.
“And Michael Gambon and I happened to have the same birthday, so I thought that was a kind of wizard-like touch.”
The casting of five-time Bafta winner Paul Whitehouse as cranky Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch suggests a bigger role for this character, who knows the school’s many secret passageways and hidden doors better than anyone else.
Paul Whitehouse is also the only cast member announced so far who appeared in one of the previous Harry Potter films, playing Sir Cadogan – one of the “living” portraits who hangs on the castle’s walls – in The Prisoner of Azkaban.
Meanwhile, there will be light relief in the character of Hogwarts groundsman Hagrid – who will be played by Nick Frost, casting many fans have described as “genius.”
Frost – known for Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead fame – is expecting to bring lots of warm “buddy” energy to the gentle giant.
And he’s also well aware of the huge footsteps he’s following in – those of the late Robbie Coltrane.
Posting to Instagram, Frost said: “Thank you for trusting me with such a loyal, gentle, and courageous half-giant like Rubeus Hagrid. Robbie, I promise I won’t let you down.”
Cast as Professor McGonagall is the twice Academy Award nominated actress Janet McTeer, star of Ozark.
She’s previously starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe in horror hit The Woman in Black.
The young stage actor Luke Thallon, meanwhile, is set to take on the role of Professor Quirinus Quirrel – a young, stammering teacher who joins Hogwarts the year Harry starts.
Lesser known than some of the other stars, the series could prove his big break.
“We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life”, said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod.
There’s still a bit of a wait before the magic hits screens – with the series expected to debut in 2026, almost 30 years after the first Harry Potter book was published.
But this week’s announcements show the Hogwarts Express is gathering steam.
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