HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television adaptation has officially cast its Harry, Ron and Hermione.
The new version of the hit fantasy series will adapt J.K. Rowling’s seven books over a mammoth 10-year period, with each of the seven books to receive its own season. Filming is expected to begin on the first instalment this summer.
Now, the three principal roles have been filled, with Dominic McLaughlin set to play Harry, Arabella Stanton portraying Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout taking on the role of Ron Weasley.
They were the successful applicants from a pool of over 30,000 after an open casting call last year. McLaughlin is also set to star in Grow, an upcoming comedy series on Sky with Nick Frost later this year, while Stanton played Matilda in Matilda: The Musical on the stage in London from 2023-2024. For Stout, this will be his first major role.
“After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron,” said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer and director Mark Mylod. “The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.”
The young actors join John Lithgow in the cast, who will be taking on the role of Albus Dumbledore, while Paapa Essiedu will play Severus Snape. Janet McTeer has been cast as Minerva McGonagall and Nick Frost will play Rubeus Hagrid.
Additionally, it has been revealed that Luke Thallon will play Professor Quirinus Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, while Paul Whitehouse has been cast as caretaker Argus Filch.
Shortly after his casting, Lithgow spoke out about his surprise at the backlash he had faced for accepting the role, with the mother of a trans child having written an op-ed titled, ‘An Open Letter To John Lithgow: Please Walk Away From Harry Potter’.
Lithgow said: “I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’ I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it. I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her, and I’m curious to talk to her.”
When asked if the criticism has changed his feelings about playing Dumbledore, he replied: “Oh, heavens no.”
The new TV series has been mired in controversy due to Rowling receiving significant backlash for her anti-trans comments, and her support of the UK Supreme Court ruling last month that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
Rowling’s stance has seen her at odds with the three stars of the Harry Potter films, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, all of whom have publicly disagreed with her views.
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