HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ reboot has cast its teachers
The beloved fantasy franchise is back with a TV adaptation, which is set to run for more than a decade
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THE NOSTALGIA WHEEL keeps turning. Fewer than 15 years since the release of the Harry Potter film franchise’s final instalment, a reboot is on its way. HBO has announced its first official group of cast members, who form the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy staff.
The series was announced in 2023 as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s intellectual property. The series, covering all seven books, is planned to run for more than a decade. Televisual adaptations and reboots are nothing new (think the Netflix’s recent Ripley or HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon), usually operating under the premise of delving deeper than the original adapted IP ever could.
Whether something that was needed, though, becomes immaterial once the internet starts its fan casts. The biggest casting announcements are yet to be made, namely the young trio and Lord Voldemort. (A fan favourite for the Dark Lord is Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy, which we can definitely see.) The topic of casting becomes a high perch for any actor to live up to; it worth noting the actors who portrayed the core staff members have passed away. With production underway starting in (northern) summer 2025, scroll on for the reboot’s casting so far.
The HBO Harry Potter reboot confirmed cast, so far
John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
First things first, John Lithgow is an American. Don’t write that off too quickly, the man has won an Emmy for his British accent, albeit Winston Churchill’s. (His Aussie accent in Pitch Perfect 2 as Fat Amy’s father is still irredeemable.)
Lithgow will be taking the reins from Michael Gambon and Richard Harris who played him in the films (the Fantastic Beasts prequels are best left unmentioned).
Considering physicality, Lithgow stands at 6′ 4″ (1.93 m), which next to his main co-star Professor McGonagall, showrunner Francesca Gardiner is definitely going for a fantastical vibe.
Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
Speaking of height, Janet McTeer, who stands at 6′ 1″ (1.86 m), will be playing Dumbledore’s right-hand, Professor Minerva McGonagall. The staff roles are a high perch to live up to; McTeer will star in the role which was played by the late, great Maggie Smith in the films.
Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
Relative newcomer Paapa Essiedu will bring the head of Slytherin house to the HBO reboot. Essiedu’s star is still on the rise, after his roles in I May Destroy You, The Lazarus Project, and his standalone Black Mirror episode. Playing potions master will surely bring him into the pop-culture stratosphere.
Nick Frost as Hagrid
Speaking to height again, Nick Frost, who stands at 5′ 7″ (1.7 m), will get the biggest upgrade as groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid. The BFG was the one who delivered Harry via magical motorcycle to Privet Drive. It’s a good fit for Frost, whose best known role is in the comedy Shaun of the Dead.
Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell
With each season tackling each book, Luke Thallon will appear in the first as Professor Quirrell. You’d remember Quirrell as the assummingly meek dark arts teacher who has a penchant for turbans and fabulous reptiles. Its under that turban though that he’s masking his true identity as Lord Voldemort’s conduit. Spoiler (not really): Quirrell dies in the end as he tries to retrieve the Philospher’s Stone from Harry.
Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
Veteran actor Paul Whitehouse has joined the cast as Argus Filch, Hogwarts’ caretaker. Filch is the resident weirdo, patrolling the grounds with his mangy cat. He’s subservient to the rest of the staff; he’s what’s known in the Harry Potter universe as a ‘squib’, someone who was born in a wizarding family but lacks magical abilities. This will see Whitehouse in a recurring role, sort of like Mr. Johnson in Abbott Elementary.
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