When is it out?
More details have been revealed about the upcoming Harry Potter TV series. Filming for the first season is well underway, with the show scheduled to premiere on HBO Max in 2027. The entire production is planned to span 10 years, as the series aims to adapt each of J.K. Rowling's seven books, which originally inspired the film franchise.
To accommodate the young cast, Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden near Watford was granted permission last summer to construct a temporary school on-site. This facility will allow child actors to attend real classes when not filming scenes at Hogwarts.
Who is in it?
Following an open casting call that attracted over 30,000 children, the lead roles were awarded to relative newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout. McLaughlin will portray Harry Potter, Stanton will play Hermione Granger, and Stout will take on the role of Ron Weasley.
The young ensemble also includes Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, and Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley.
Adult cast members feature John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.
Earlier this week, HBO executive Casey Bloys confirmed to Variety that the role of Voldemort has not yet been cast. Regarding rumors linking Tilda Swinton to the part, Bloys stated,
"As a rule, I would say any rumours - don't [believe them]. I don't even know who we're casting."
What's JK Rowling's involvement?
J.K. Rowling serves as an executive producer on the series, which HBO describes as a "faithful adaptation" of her original books.
Some cast members have reported facing criticism due to Rowling's controversial views on transgender rights. John Lithgow shared with the New York Times that he nearly withdrew from the role of Dumbledore because of the backlash, stating,
"Every interview I will ever do for the rest of my life, this will come up."
Nick Frost, who portrays Hagrid, expressed his disagreement with Rowling's views in an interview with Deadline last year, saying,
"She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form."
Paapa Essiedu was among more than 400 actors who signed a petition advocating for protections for the transgender community within the UK entertainment industry. Rowling responded by affirming she would not dismiss actors for holding differing legally protected beliefs, stating,
"I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine."
Essiedu also revealed to the Sunday Times that he has received death threats from racist trolls opposing a Black actor portraying Snape. In response, Bloys told Variety that the production has implemented "serious security" measures on set, explaining,
"With all actors on any kind of big IP shows - and this is obviously one of those where you've got passionate fans, people with a lot of opinions - it can get scary in places."
Has Daniel Radcliffe been on set yet?
There is no public information indicating that Daniel Radcliffe has visited the set of the new series. However, he has reached out to the new Harry Potter actor, Dominic McLaughlin.
Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter in the original film series throughout the 2000s and is now 36 years old, revealed in November that he sent a letter to McLaughlin following his casting. McLaughlin responded with a "very sweet note back." Radcliffe told Good Morning America,
"I just want to hug them."
He elaborated,
"I don't want to be a specter in the life of these children but I just wanted to write to him to say, 'I hope you have the best time, and an even better time than I did - I had a great time, but I hope you have an even better time'.
And I do, I just see these pictures of him and the other kids and I just want to hug them."
Radcliffe added,
"They just seem so young. I just look at them and say, 'Oh it's crazy I was doing that at that age.' But it's also incredibly sweet and I hope they're having a great time."
