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It’s almost time for a whole new generation of wizards and witches to be welcomed into Hogwarts.
“Harry Potter,” the beloved fantasy book series from author J.K. Rowling that was turned into a blockbuster film franchise, is coming to HBO as a new TV series. Each of the seven books in the series, “Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Chamber of Secrets,” “Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Goblet of Fire,” “Order of the Phoenix,” “Half-Blood Prince” and “Deathly Hallows,” will each be adapted into one season of TV.
HBO has been auditioning more than 32,000 children for the lead role of Harry Potter, famously originated by Daniel Radcliffe. No actor has been chosen yet, but executive producer Mark Mylod said that the casting team is reviewing between 500 and 1,000 audition tapes per day. The new actors for Harry’s best friends Ron Weasley (originally played by Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) have not been announced either, but a few key roles have been confirmed by HBO.
Series regulars include “Conclave” star John Lithgow as Album Dumbledore, “I May Destroy You” breakout star Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, “Tumbleweeds” Oscar nominee Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall and “Shaun of the Dead” comedian Nick Frost as Hagrid. Meanwhile, Paul Whitehouse and Luke Thallon take on recurring roles as Argus Filch and Quirinus Quirrell, respectively.
Francesca Gardiner serves as showrunner and executive producer, and Mark Mylod is set to direct several episodes in addition to executive producing.
Read below for an overview of the new cast and who they play.
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Albus Dumbledore (John Lithgow)
Image Credit: Getty / Warner Bros.
Original Actor: Richard Harris and Michael Gambon
The Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Dumbledore is a powerful wizard, the most senior professor at Hogwarts and an early mentor figure for Harry. Prior to the events of “Sorcerer’s Stone,” Dumbledore (with the help of Minerva McGonagall) takes baby Harry to live with the Dursleys at Privet Drive.
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Severus Snape (Paapa Essiedu)
Image Credit: Getty / Warner Bros.
Original Actor: Alan Rickman
The potions professor at Hogwarts, Severus Snape is the head of the Slytherin House and an early adversary of Harry and his friends. Snape is cold towards his students (particularly Gryffindors) and many of his fellow professors, and soon Harry begins to suspect Snape may have ties to the dark Lord Voldemort.
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Minerva McGonagall (Janet McTeer)
Image Credit: Getty / Warner Bros.
Original Actor: Maggie Smith
The head of the Gryffindor House at Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall is a transfiguration professor and an early ally of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Unbeknownst to Harry, McGonagall helped Dumbledore bring him to live with the Dursleys when he was a baby. She is also an animagus and can transform into a house cat at will.
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Nick Frost (Rubeus Hagrid)
Image Credit: Getty / Warner Bros.
Original Actor: Robbie Coltrane
The half-giant Hagrid is a Hogwarts gamekeeper. He is the first to inform young Harry that he’s a wizard and remains a close friend to the boy, as well as to Ron and Hermione, throughout the trio’s time at school. Hagrid, though sometimes clumsy, deeply cares for living creatures. He watches over everything from dragons to Hippogriffs.
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Paul Whitehouse (Argus Filch)
Image Credit: Getty / Warner Bros.
Original Actor: David Bradley
Argus Filch is a caretaker at Hogwarts who couldn’t care less about the students. A strict disciplinarian, Filch works with his cat, Mrs. Norris, to sniff out misbehaving kids. He is known as a “squib,” which is someone who has no magic powers despite being descended from wizard genes.
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Luke Thallon (Quirinus Quirrell)
Image Credit: Getty / Warner Bros.
Original Actor: Ian Hart
Quirinus Quirrell is an anxious Defense Against the Dark Arts professor when Harry begins attending Hogwarts. The professor previously taught Muggle Studies and also went on a search for Voldemort to learn more about the evil wizard. By the time Harry gets to know him, Quirrell turns out to be far more complicated than he seems on the surface.
English (US) ·