HBO has announced six members of the cast for the upcoming Harry Potter Live Action multi season series. The books, written by J K Rowling, have shaped the childhoods of millions of people since the publishing of the first book (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) in 1998.
The Harry Potter Canon, spanning seven books, eight films/movies, one play (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and a number of musicals has attracted millions of fans and enthusiasts, formally known by the title of potterheads.
With the announcement of the new cast, the fandom has been waiting eagerly for new developments on cast announcements, updates from pre production, and more. Six cast members, playing six crucial major roles in the series have been confirmed.
Albus Dumbledore, the often warm eyed and wise headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, will be played by Emmy Award winner John Lithgow
Head of the Gryffindor House, and Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall will be embodied by Oscar nominee Janet McTeer. McTeer was seen previously in Netflix original series ‘Ozark’
Black Mirror fame Paapa Essiedu will be donning the dark robes of Potions Professor Severus Snape. The casting of Essiedu, previously a member of the ‘Black Mirror’ Cast, was confirmed a few months previously.
The casting was met with mixed reaction from fans. who had expected a casting of a more book accurate face. The role was previously brought alive for the silver screen by Alan Rickman, whose acting and execution of the character remains engraved in the minds of millions of fans.
Beloved Hogwarts Gamekeeper and Gentle Giant, Rubeus Hagrid will be played by Nick Frost. Stage actor Luke Thallon has been roped in to play the role of Quirinus Quirrel, who famously teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts to the students in Harry Potter’s First Year at the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Paul Whitehouse has been cast as the curmudgeonly caretaker Argus Filch.
The Warner Brothers Studio, which holds the production rights for the Wizarding World characters and stories, have confirmed that the casting the Golden Trio, (Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald ‘Ron’ Weasley) has not been done yet.
The series is being helmed by J K Rowling (author) as an executive producer, along with Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts and David Heyman.