If there was awareness tracking for a TV series slated to premiere in two years, HBO‘s Harry Potter would score through the roof. From the moment the “faithful adaptation” of the beloved book series by J.K. Rowling was officially announced in April 2023 as a “decade-long series,” the project has been the subject of unprecedented fan interest and scrutiny, from author Rowling’s role as executive producer in light of some of her controversial statements through every creative development, including the elaborate search for a writer, which resulted in the hire of Succession‘s Francesca Gardiner.
The frenzy has now reached fever pitch as the series has begun casting ahead of its summer 2025 start of production. As Gardiner revealed this week that some 32,000 kids had sent audition tapes for the lead roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron, the series’ producers and casting director Lucy Bevan also have been busy compiling wish lists and checking availabilities of well known British actors for the adult starring roles in one of the most closely watched casting processes ever.
Amid a level of secrecy and draconian NDAs of Marvel proportions for all talent involved, there has been a trickle of names rumored for some of the most iconic roles, which are expected to be cast younger than the movies. (Gardiner and series director Mark Mylod revealed this week that they will stick to the “canonical” ages, which means that Severus Snape, for example, will only be 31 and the Dursleys will be much younger than they were in the films.)
The first name to make the rounds was Oscar winner Mark Rylance for the role of Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, played by the late Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the movies. Mark Strong more recently emerged as a prospect for the part, along with I May Destroy You‘s Paapa Essiedu for Potions Master Snape, originated by the late Alan Rickman in the films.
The rumor mill also has been hyping of late Emmy-nominated Bad Sisters co-creator/star Sharon Horgan as being eyed for Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, portrayed by the late Maggie Smith in the movies. (There has been conflicting information whether Oscar winner Rachel Weisz is also on the wish list for the role.)
Meanwhile, Emmy-winning Ted Lasso fan favorite Brett Goldstein has been rumored for the role of Hogwarts’ gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid originated by Robbie Coltrane.
None of the actors are believed to have formal offers.
HBO is not engaging in the guessing game, responding to every casting inquiry with a blanket statement: “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”
That will not dampen the interest in the closely guarded casting, with speculation likely to continue until actors for all key roles are locked in.
The outsized curiosity goes beyond the cast and also involves the crew, with Deadline revealing earlier today that Oscar winner Holly Waddington (Poor Things) will be the series‘ costume designer.
The Harry Potter TV series, which will be filmed at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden where the movies were shot, is slated to debut on HBO in late 2026-27.
Justin Kroll contributed to this report.
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