Warner Bros. and HBO have officially announced the first six actors set to portray iconic Hogwarts professors in the upcoming Harry Potter series.
The cast was revealed today after months of speculation about how this retelling of the Wizarding World will reimagine the stories of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. This initial reveal includes John Lithgow (Conclave, Dexter), who previously revealed he would be portraying Albus Dumbledore, alongside other names that have been widely rumored or speculated over the past few months.
Fans won’t be surprised to see Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) stepping into the role of Rubeus Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, Black Mirror) cast as Severus Snape. Completing the ensemble are Janet McTeer (Me Before You, The Menu) as Minerva McGonagall, Luke Thallon (The Favourite, Present Laughter) as Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show, Alice Through the Looking Glass) as Argus Filch.
(Top, left to right): John Lithgow (credit: Jessica Howes), Janet McTeer (credit: Andrew Crowley), Paapa Essiedu (credit: Ruth Crafer). (Bottom, left to right): Nick Frost (credit: Lee Malone), Luke Thallon (credit: Phil Sharp), Paul Whitehouse (credit Mike Marsland). Image provided by Warner Bros.“We’re thrilled to welcome such exceptional talent to the project, and we’re eager to see them breathe new life into these cherished characters,” said showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner and director and executive producer Mark Mylod in a statement.
Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Snape aren’t just legendary figures from the Harry Potter universe—they’re enduring icons in popular culture. Each actor faces the challenge of living up to decades of fan expectation, a weight Lithgow acknowledged when confirming his role as Hogwarts’ headmaster earlier this year.
“I received a call at the Sundance Film Festival about another film, and it wasn’t an easy choice—it’s going to define the final chapter of my life, I’m afraid,” he told ScreenRant in February. “But I’m incredibly excited. So many wonderful people are turning their focus back to Harry Potter. That’s what made it so hard to decide. I’ll be about 87 at the wrap party, but I said yes.”
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The Harry Potter series still lacks a release date but is expected to begin production soon. Details on how it will diverge from the original novels or the 2000s–early 2010s film series remain unclear. However, Warner Bros. has confirmed the show will explore Harry’s story “a little bit more in depth than you can in just a two-hour film.” Controversial author J.K. Rowling is involved in the show’s development.
For more on the Harry Potter series, you can read up on our latest update regarding casting for Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
