First Stars Revealed For HBO’s Harry Potter Reboot

Announced last spring, the Harry Potter reboot will bring J. K. Rowling’s beloved wizard novels back to the screen – this time, the small screen. That’s right: it’s not a sequel nor a prequel, but reportedly a ‘faithful’ adaptation of Rowling’s original seven novels crafted by an all-star team at HBO. And we finally have the first names who will star. Here’s what you need to know.

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). (Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.)

What’s The Story With The Harry Potter TV Reboot?

The idea with a Harry Potter TV reboot has been toyed with since 2019, with various prequels and sequels for the small screen discussed – but eventually ditched. Flash forward to 2021, David Zaslav became the new CEO of Warner Bros and travelled to London to meet author J.K. Rowling to discuss possible TV shows in her universe. It wasn’t until March 2023, however, that things really started moving: Warner Bros closed a deal with Rowling for an adaptation, with the author playing a part in creative development. In April of the same year, the reboot idea was confirmed: the TV series won’t be anything new, but instead a faithful adaptation of Rowling’s original seven books, with seven 10-episode seasons beginning with the first in late 2026 or early 2027. Full steam ahead!

In September 2024, however, it became clear that casting still hadn’t happened, with a call-out for Harry, Ron and Hermione floating through the media world. Jump slightly ahead again to October, and it seemed more progress was being made – but how true is it?

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger & Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). (Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.)

Who Will Star?

Paapa Essiedu, John Lithgow, Nick Frost, Janet McTeer, Paul Whitehouse and Luke Thallon are the first members of the Harry Potter TV cast to be revealed. They will star as Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, Hagrid, Minerva McGonagall, Argus Filch and Quirinus Quirrell respectively.

Harry, Ron and Hermione have not yet been chosen – but we do know more than 32,000 children sent audition tapes to be considered for these leading roles. The cast so far is as follows:

• Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
• John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
• Nick Frost as Hagrid
• Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
• Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
• Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell

In March, Essiedu made the headlines, reportedly in final talks to take on the role of Professor Snape, who was portrayed by Alan Rickman in the original films. The rumours generated some controversy in the fandom, with the general consensus being that Essiedu is simply too handsome to play notoriously greasy, sallow and unappealing Snape (sorry, Rickman). And with the news now confirmed, we’re sure the fandom’s fuss will continue. Indeed, does HBO really want to screen scenes of James Potter and the Marauders bullying a young Black boy in the ’70s, including hanging him up by his ankle? Only time will tell us how they adapt this scene for a 2020s audience.

At the same time, Janet McTeer seemed to be in final talks to play fellow Hogwarts professor, Minerva McGonagall, played by the late Dame Maggie Smith in the original films – and this rumour has been confirmed as truth, too. Elsewhere, while fellow Brit Mark Rylance was being eyed for Hogwarts’ headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, American actor John Lithgow ultimately clinched the role. At the end of February, the 79-year-old told Screen Rant he got the call while attending Sundance Film Festival. ‘It was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid,’ he said. ‘But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.’

When Will The Harry Potter TV Series Come Out?

The Harry Potter TV series is slated to air in late 2026 or 2027. Filming will commence this summer.

‘As you look at ’26 and into ’27, you begin a 10-year journey on the Harry Potter series, which we’re super excited about,’ Warner Bros exec JB Perrette recently teased.

In the US, it will air on HBO; in the UK, it will air on Sky.

First, however, the series needs to be filmed – and with casting still up in the air, it seems a little way off. We’re told when filming does commence, it’ll be here in the UK at Warner Bros. Studio Leavesden, where recent projects include Barbie (2023), Mickey 17 (2025), The Batman (2022) and Wicked (2024), as well as the original films back in the day.