HBO has officially cast its magical trio for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, with newcomers Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The announcement came Tuesday after an extraordinary casting search that saw over 32,000 children audition for these iconic roles.
The massive undertaking represents one of the most extensive casting searches in recent television history, with the team reviewing 500-1,000 audition tapes per day over several months. All three actors are newcomers to the screen, following the original films' successful approach of casting unknown child actors who would grow up alongside their characters.
"After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron," said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod in a joint statement. "The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen."
Meet the New Generation of Hogwarts Students
Dominic McLaughlin steps into the titular role of Harry Potter, inheriting the character that launched Daniel Radcliffe to global fame. McLaughlin previously appeared in "Grow," an upcoming Sky comedy starring Nick Frost, who coincidentally will play Hagrid in the HBO series.
Arabella Stanton takes on Hermione Granger, the brilliant witch originally portrayed by Emma Watson. Stanton brings theater experience to the role, having starred as Matilda in the West End musical production of the same name.
Alastair Stout rounds out the trio as Ron Weasley, Harry's loyal red-headed best friend, a role that made Rupert Grint a household name. Remarkably, Stout had no prior acting credits before landing this career-defining role.
The casting process began in September 2024 with an open call seeking children aged 9-11 from the UK and Ireland. The search emphasized "inclusive, diverse casting" and required applicants to submit videos performing a short story or poem, as well as talking about themselves and someone close to them.
The unveiling of the new Harry Potter cast for HBO’s upcoming TV series sparked a lively conversation on social media, particularly Twitter, where fans shared their instant reactions. Let’s take a look at some of them
HBO TV Series Harry Potter Cast
- Nick Frost as Hagrid
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
- Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
- Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
According to BBC News, Harry Potter could arrive on HBO Max as early as 2026.
Star-Studded Supporting Cast Takes Shape
The young trio joins an already impressive roster of established actors taking on beloved Hogwarts faculty members. John Lithgow, the six-time Emmy winner, will portray Albus Dumbledore, while Tony and Oscar nominee Janet McTeer steps into the robes of Professor McGonagall, previously played by the late Maggie Smith.
Emmy and BAFTA nominee Paapa Essiedu takes on the complex role of Severus Snape, originally embodied by the late Alan Rickman, while Nick Frost will bring his comedic talents to the gentle giant Hagrid.
The cast also includes Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as the cantankerous caretaker Argus Filch.
A Deeper Dive into the Wizarding World
Unlike the original eight films, HBO's adaptation promises to explore J.K. Rowling's seven-book series with unprecedented depth. Each season will be dedicated to a single book, with the first season allocating eight full hours to "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" alone.
This expanded format will allow the series to include beloved characters and storylines that were cut from the films. Fans can finally expect to see Peeves the Poltergeist wreaking havoc in Hogwarts' corridors, along with richer explorations of complex subplots and character backstories.
"We'll get to have some fun with Peeves in the corridors!" the production team revealed, promising to explore locations like the Hogwarts staffroom and examine how the ancient castle's architecture has evolved over time. The series aims to stay "authentic to the original books" while showcasing "things we haven't seen" in previous adaptations.
