HBO Harry Potter Series Cast Revealed: See Who’s Playing Harry, Hermione, Ron & More

After months of fan speculation, HBO has finally revealed the actors who will bring the Wizarding World’s most famous trio to life in its forthcoming Harry Potter television series. Newcomer Dominic McLaughlin will don the lightning-shaped scar as Harry Potter, with Arabella Stanton stepping into the role of Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout portraying Ron Weasley. The casting announcement arrived during Warner Bros. Discovery’s Upfront presentation, where executives reiterated that the episodic adaptation will devote one full season to each of J.K. Rowling’s seven novels, aiming for a decade-long run that “remains faithful to the source material while bringing new depth to beloved characters.” Although the spotlight is on the young leads, HBO also confirmed several heavyweight additions to the Hogwarts faculty. John Lithgow has been tapped to play Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer will embody Professor Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu takes on Severus Snape, Nick Frost becomes Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon appears as Professor Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse takes the caretaker mantle as Argus Filch. Industry watchers note that the series is being positioned as a tent-pole franchise for Max, the rebranded streaming home of HBO, mirroring the strategy that Game of Thrones spinoffs employed to anchor subscriber growth. Production is slated to begin in early 2026, with an eye on a 2027 premiere, according to Deadline’s reporting. Fan reaction has been swift across social media: hashtags like #HarryPotterSeries and #HBOPotterTrio trended worldwide within hours, as longtime devotees debated the fresh faces stepping into roles previously immortalized by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Supporters praise HBO’s decision to cast relative unknowns, arguing it allows viewers to grow alongside the actors over the show’s planned multi-season arc. Beyond casting, creative decisions remain closely guarded. Showrunners and directors have yet to be unveiled, but Warner Bros. Discovery assures fans that Rowling will serve as an executive producer, ensuring canonical fidelity. Meanwhile, the use of cutting-edge virtual production stages in Leavesden Studios is expected to recreate Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and the Forbidden Forest with unprecedented detail—technical advances that were unavailable when the original films wrapped in 2011. From a business standpoint, analysts forecast the series could become one of the most-watched originals on Max, citing the built-in multigenerational audience and the streamer’s push into premium family content. Ancillary revenue streams—from merchandise to theme-park integrations—are also anticipated to surge once first-look footage drops. For now, the newly announced cast members are preparing for wand training, dialect coaching, and diving deep into the lore that has enchanted readers and moviegoers for more than a quarter-century. With cameras set to roll next year, Hogwarts is about to open its doors once again—this time, on the small screen and for an entirely new generation of witches and wizards.