Though theHarry Pottertelevision series is still a ways off, fans have some exciting news this morning.Potterheads now have official word on six cast members joining the hallowed grounds of Hogwarts.
The hype for HBO’sHarry Potterseries is, unsurprisingly, quite high. For those who grew up in the 1990s and 2000s, there are few pop culture touchstones as universal asJ.K. Rowling’s venerable book series. The publishing world has yet to see a worldwide phenomenon quite like the midnight release parties surrounding each new release in theHarry Potterbook series. The then-upcoming release of a newHarry Potternovel was a key subplot inThe Devil Wears Prada, for crying out loud. Warner Bros. film adaptation of the sevenHarry Potterbooks is one of the highest-grossing and most beloved film franchises of all time. The opening of a thirdHarry Potter-inspired land at Universal Studios Orlando is mere weeks away. It’s safe to say theHarry Potterfranchise is going nowhere anytime soon.
After multiple weeks of leaks and rumors surrounding the adult leads in HBO’sHarry Potterseries, the official word is finally out. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, HBO has announced the first six cast members to join the show. Confirming the rumors that have been swirling for a while now,John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu,andNick Frostare all going to be teaching at Hogwarts, with the newly announcedLuke ThallonandPaul Whitehousejoining them. With the key adults all locked down, the young leads of the show are sure to bethe next ones coming down the line.
HBO’s Harry Potter Series Is On The Right Track To Step Out Of The Shadows Of The Film Franchise
Those who have been paying attention to thenumerous rumors swirling around theHarry Pottercastwill be unsurprised to learn that John Lithgow will be portraying Albus Dumbledore on the show. The multiple-time Emmy and Tony Award winner has some big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, and Jude Law. Janet McTeer, ofOzark,The Menu, andMaleficentfame, will be playing Minerva McGonagall (a role made famous by the much-beloved and heavily-missed Maggie Smith). Nick Frost is set to take the role of Rubeus Hagrid, a fan-favorite character played in the films by Robbie Coltrane.
Paapa Essiedu is going to be taking on thebiggest role of his relatively young careeras the complicated Severus Snape. Essiedu is no stranger to the sci-fi/fantasy genre, having appeared in bothBlack MirrorandThe Lazarus Project. Luke Thallon has been cast as Quirinus Quirrel—sorry to those fans who thought HBO was going to bag Cillian Murphy for the role—in the most prominent non-stage role of his acting career. Paul Whitehouse rounds out the announcement, being cast as grumpy groundskeeper Argus Filch. Time will tell if Whitehouse (best known in the States for his numerous appearances in Tim Burton films) manages to make the most out of Filch as David Bradley did in the films.
HBO and the creative team behind theHarry Potterseries havean unenviable job of trying to distinguish the seriesfrom the eternally popular film franchise. How do you top the magical score of John Williams? How do you book directors as talented as Alfonso Cuarón and Chris Columbus? How do you nail the casting of the three lead children as the film series did? These are all monumentally difficult questions. That being said, they’re off to a solid start in mixing beloved character actors with up-and-coming stars who will have their first chance to shine on a major, major stage. Here’s hoping they stick the landing.
TheHarry Potterseries is reportedly supposed to start filming later this year.
