The new Dumbledore is a serial killer – in the truest sense!
The legendary Hogwarts saga is celebrating its comeback with a live-action series – produced by HBO, Warner Bros. Television, Brontë Film & TV, and Heyday Films, with J.K. Rowling once again serving as executive producer. Led by showrunner Francesca Gardiner ( His Dark Materials , Succession , among others) and director Mark Mylod (also Succession ), an epic adaptation is being created: seven seasons, each corresponding to one of the original novels. The ambitious format is intended to tell each book in greater depth and detail than ever before .
The official start of production took place in July 2025 at Leavesden Studios in England. Incidentally, these are the same studios where the films were shot!
A first look at Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter underlines the elaborate visual approach of the series The series is scheduled to premiere worldwide on HBO in early 2027.
The new Hogwarts trio – The magic lives on
In May 2025, after a huge open casting in the UK & Ireland, with over 32,000 applications , awarding three main roles:
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Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
A young Scottish actor (born 2013/14), with initial roles in theater productions and upcoming projects such as the Sky film Grow and the BBC series Gifted . Official confirmation came in May 2025, shortly before the casting made headlines worldwide. -
Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
British up-and-coming actor Alastair Stout was also confirmed in May 2025. He was best known for his charming appearance in a potato commercial ("Albert Bartlett – son at dinner"). Producers praised his natural wit and likeable charisma—perfect qualities for the warm-hearted and loyal Ron. Stout is considered a genuine young talent with a lot of potential.
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Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
Also a newcomer: Arabella previously played Matilda in the West End production of Matilda The Musical and appeared in Starlight Express in 2024. She was confirmed as Hermione in May 2025.
Gardiner and Mylod expressed their enthusiasm for the new trio's talents: "The talent of these young actors is wonderful to witness. We can't wait for the world to experience their magic on screen."
Familiar faces in famous roles – stars behind the masks
The adult characters are also prominently cast:
| figure | Actor | Known from… |
|---|---|---|
| Albus Dumbledore | John Lithgow | Dexter , Garp and how he saw the world |
| Severus Snape | Paapa Essiedu | I May Destroy You , Gangs of London |
| Minerva McGonagall | Janet McTeer | Ozark , Half a Year |
| Rubeus Hagrid | Nick Frost | Cornetto Trilogy , Shaun of the Dead |
| Argus Filch | Paul Whitehouse | Comedy & Movies |
| Quirinus Quirrell | Luke Thallon | Theater background |
| Cornelius Fudge | Bertie Carvel | The Crown |
| Molly Weasley | Katherine Parkinson | The IT Crowd , Humans |
| Petunia Dursley | Bel Powley | The Morning Show |
| Vernon Dursley | Daniel Rigby | Black Mirror , Landscapers |
| Lucius Malfoy | Johnny Flynn | Emma , Genius |
| Madam Hooch | Louise Brealey | Sherlock , Lockwood & Co. |
| Mr. Ollivander | Anton Lesser | Game of Thrones , Andor |
| Neville Longbottom | Rory Wilmot | – |
| Dudley Dursley | Amos Kitson | – |
These actors, some renowned and some experienced in theater, give the series the necessary weight and authenticity and demonstrate the care with which the world of Hogwarts is being recreated.
Casting news at a glance – Overview for fans
🔹 Main trio cast: May 2025 – Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Arabella Stanton (Hermione), Alastair Stout (Ron)
🔹 Adult roles: April–June 2025 – John Lithgow (Dumbledore), Paapa Essiedu (Snape), Janet McTeer (McGonagall), Nick Frost (Hagrid), and others.
🔹 Production started: July 2025 at Leavesden Studios
🔹 Planned release: Early 2027 on HBO international
🔹 True to the book concept: Each season covers one book in the series
Hogwarts has never been so exciting!
With this careful casting, we can expect a Harry Potter series that resurrects familiar heroes – in a contemporary, diverse, and deeply immersive way. Young talents take on the lead roles, while key characters are played by experienced stars. The potential is therefore enormous.
Why I’m looking forward to the new series – despite nostalgia
I grew up with the Harry Potter books. When the first film came out, I was the same age as Harry – and like so many others, I eagerly followed every new book, every film, and every twist at Hogwarts. The films have become a part of my home to this day – especially at Christmas time, when they flicker across the screen year after year, exuding that special magic.
I find the idea of rediscovering the universe in series form all the more exciting. Of course, there's a certain amount of skepticism: Can a new cast really evoke the same feelings? Will beloved moments be changed or deepened?
But that's precisely what makes it so interesting: Harry Potter is being retold, with more room for details, character development, and perhaps even scenes that never made it into the films. I'm looking forward to seeing familiar stories with a fresh perspective and being part of a new generation of fans who get to experience their own version of Hogwarts.
The Harry Potter universe has accompanied me for half my life, and I'm ready to be enchanted again.
