Everything we know about Harry Potter HBO TV series - including Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall and Hagrid casting

Harry Potteris returning to our screens in the form of an HBO TV series and is set to be released in late 2026 or early 2027.

The show will be a decade-long with seven seasons and has been described as "a faithful adaptation of the iconic books" since each season will delve into each book in the J.K. Rowling series.

While fans still have a long wait until the first season comes out, here is everything we know about the TV adaptation.

Who has been confirmed so far?

(L-R) Nick Frost, Paul Whitehouse, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, and Luke ThallonPhoto by Joe Maher/Getty Images. Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images, Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images, and Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for British Vogue, and Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

HBO has recently confirmed the casting for a number of popular characters in the series.

Nick Frost is set to play the half-giant wizard Rubeus Hagrid in the series, after he was linked to the role last month

After previously being reported to be in negotiations, actress Janet McTeer will play Professor Minerva McGonagall, who was previously played by the late Dame Maggie Smith in the films and by Fiona Glascott in the Fantastic Beasts prequel films. Other actors linked to the character included Sharon Horgan and Rachel Weisz, as per The Independent.

Meanwhile, Paapa Essiedu will portray Professor Severus Snape, following earlier reports that he was in final talks to play him. The late Alan Rickman portrayed the character in the film adaptations.

Other stars confirmed in this latest announcement include actor Luke Thallon, who will play Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.

"We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch. We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life," said Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer, and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer, in a joint statement.

Last December, writer-showrunner Francesca Gardiner confirmed at a Max event in London that the series will stick to the “canonical” age of Snape, who will be only 31 - and for reference, Essiedu is in his 30s.

John Lithgow was the first actor to be officially confirmed for the Harry Potter TV series.Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images

The first actor who was officially confirmed to be part of the series was actor John Lithgow, who will play beloved Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore - a role previously played by actors Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the film franchise, as well as by Toby Regbo and Jude Law in the Fantastic Beasts prequel films.

"Well, it came as a total surprise to me, Lithgow explained to Varietyabout getting the role. "I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life. I’m afraid. 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."

However, the actor has received backlash from some for accepting the role due to Harry Potter author JK Rowling's involvement as executive producer on the show, who has been accused of transphobia in recent years. Lithgow played a trans woman in the 1982 film The World According to Garp.

Which actors have been rumoured?

Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Rumours are also emerging of who could be cast as Bellatrix Lestrange.

Lena Headey was suggested for the role in a Reddit thread and her name has been circulated by fans online - of course, you may recognise her as Cersei Lannister in Game Of Thrones. However, there's still plenty of time to fill this role, as she doesn't appear until later in the story, and each season is predicted to represent each book.

What has HBO said about casting rumours?

Despite all the rumours surrounding the potential cast for the series, HBO has declined to comment.

“We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation,” it said in a statement. “As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.”

How are Harry, Ron and Hermione being cast?

There has been an opening casting call for the three leads, and any actors who want the chance to play Harry, Ron or Hermione in the show must be between the ages of 9 and 11 in April 2025.

The actors who will play the iconic trio have not yet been confirmed, but we are updating this article regularly.

Elsewhere, Harry Potter actor joins OnlyFans to 'get out of debt, ' and the biggest reactions as John Lithgow is confirmed to play Dumbledore in the Harry Potter TV show.

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