HBO’s Harry Potter Series Casts John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, and More in Key Roles

New Harry Potter series on HBO announces star-studded cast.

HBO has unveiled the first core cast members for its upcoming Harry Potter series. It promises a fresh yet faithful take on J.K. Rowling’s beloved wizarding world. A-list talent has been tapped to bring new life to several iconic characters originally made famous in the blockbuster film franchise.

Leading the cast is six-time Emmy winner and Oscar nominee John Lithgow.

He will play Albus Dumbledore, previously portrayed by Richard Harris in the first two films, and Michael Gambon from Prisoner of Azkaban through Deathly Hallows. Joining him is Janet McTeer, a Tony, Olivier, and Golden Globe winner. She is set to play Minerva McGonagall, the stern yet warm Transfiguration professor originally played by Maggie Smith. Paapa Essiedu, an Emmy, Olivier, and BAFTA nominee, has been cast as the complex and fan-favorite Severus Snape, a role made iconic by the late Alan Rickman.

HBO's Harry Potter series has revealed its core cast:

• John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore

• Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall

• Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape

• Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid

• Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell

• Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch pic.twitter.com/DouYhpXQir

— Nerdtropolis (@Nerdtropolis) April 14, 2025

Nick Frost, known for his work in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, steps into the giant boots of beloved gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid. Robbie Coltrane originally portrayed the role, whose performance left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. Luke Thallon will play Professor Quirinus Quirrell. He is the jittery Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, previously brought to life by Ian Hart.

Rounding out the announcement is five-time BAFTA winner Paul Whitehouse. He joins in a recurring role as Argus Filch, the castle’s grumpy caretaker. In the original films, the character was played memorably by David Bradley.

The upcoming HBO Original series is being described as faithful.

It will be a decade-long adaptation of Rowling’s original seven novels. It will stream exclusively on Max. The series will be available globally, including in upcoming launch markets like the U.K., Germany, Italy, and Turkey.

Francesca Gardiner (Succession, His Dark Materials) is the writer and executive producer. Mark Mylod (Succession, Game of Thrones) will direct multiple episodes and also executive produce.

The classic films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Those Harry Potter films will be available to stream on Max alongside the new series as the Wizarding World expands to both longtime fans and new audiences.

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