Summary
TheHarry PotterTV show is close to casting two key members of the Hogwarts staff. A two-time Oscar nominee is negotiating to play a key character while a previously reported actor is closing a deal for another role.
HBO’sHarry PotterTV show has been touted as a “faithful adaptation” of J.K. Rowling’s books, with the series diving deep into each of the 7 novels over 10 years. While theHarry PotterTV series is expected to cast unknown child actors to play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, more experienced and recognizable performers are seemingly being sought for the adult characters. Award-winning actorJohn Lithgow has been cast as Albus Dumbledore, and two more names have been added to theHarry PotterTV show cast.
The Harry Potter TV Cast Is Adding Two Names To The Hogwarts Staff
Deadlinereports thatJanet McTeer is in negotiations to play Professor Minerva McGonagall in theHarry PotterTV show. The trade also reports thatPaapa Essiedu is closing his deal to play Severus Snape. HBO reportedly declined to comment on the latestHarry PotterTV series casting news, but the network did release a statement to Deadline declaring that they will only confirm details about the show as deals are finalized:
We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. […] As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.
McTeer would undoubtedly be a talented addition to theHarry PotterTV show cast. She is a two-time Academy Award nominee, first earning a Best Actress nomination in 1999 for her role as Mary Jo Walker inTumbleweeds(she won a Golden Globe for the role)and scoring a Best Supporting Actress nod for playing Hubert Page opposite Glenn Close in 2011’sAlbert Nobbs. McTeer’s television work is also noteworthy, as she delivered an Emmy-nominated performance as Clementine Churchill in the HBO filmInto the Stormand landed notable roles in Netflix’sOzarkandJessica Jones. Essiedu is an equally talented actor, earning an Emmy nomination for his breakthrough role as Kwame in the HBO miniseriesI May Destroy Youbefore landing roles in high-profile projects like AMC Plus’Gangs of London,The Lazarus Project, and theBlack Mirrorepisode titled “Demon 79.”
Harry Potterfans should be happy to know two acclaimed performers are joining the cast as Professors McGonagall and Snape. Besides Albus Dumbledore, these two characters are arguably the most important recurring members of the Hogwarts staff. McGonagall (playedthe late Maggie Smithin the 8Harry Pottermovies) is the Deputy Headmistress under Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts' Transfiguration professor, and the head of Gryffindor House. Snape is the potions professor at Hogwarts and his history with Harry Potter’s parents initially makes him antagonistic towards the boy wizard. Both characters' lives are dramatically changed after [Spoiler Alert] Dumbledore’s death.
Some fans are skeptical of theHarry PotterTV show due to the film series' stellar reputation and the involvement of the controversial Rowling. However, the show is undoubtedly assembling a cast of talented actors for key roles. That said, the success or failure of theHarry PotterTV show will likely come down to nailing the casting for Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
HBO’sHarry PotterTV show is expected to premiere on Max in 2026 or 2027.
Harry Potter
DescriptionHarry Potter is HBO’s remake of the iconic Wizarding World film series that consisted of eight films between 2001 and 2011. Each season adapts a book from JK Rowling’s popular series and provides more book-accurate details than the movies did. Upon the announcement of the Harry Potter TV show, the series received harsh criticism for the involvement of Rowling and for many thinking a reboot was unnecessary.
