For a lot of Harry Potter fans, no actors could ever live up to the original cast of the cherished film franchise. For others, a new TV adaptation is an opportunity for greater detail and faithfulness to JK Rowling’s magical seven-book series.
The US actor Lithgow, who most recently starred in the Bafta- and Oscar-winning papal election thriller Conclave, will take over the role played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the films. Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is a caring and powerful wizard who mentors Harry in his fight against the dark lord Voldemort.
It had previously been reported that Mark Rylance was in the running for the part. But Lithgow – a veteran of stage and screen, and winner of six Emmy awards (including for his role as Winston Churchill in The Crown), two Golden Globes, an Olivier and a Tony – announced his own casting in February.
Essiedu received an Emmy nomination for his role in the critically acclaimed series I May Destroy You and also starred in series such as The Lazarus Project and Gangs of London. He will transform into the Hogwarts potions professor Snape, who was played by Alan Rickman in the films. Harry Potter is constantly at odds with Snape, who is hostile to him but is later revealed to have been bullied by Harry’s father, James, while harbouring an unrequited love for his mother, Lily.
McTeer, a past winner of numerous accolades including a Tony, an Olivier and a Golden Globe, will be McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor house – a role played by Maggie Smith in the films. McTeer has appeared in films including Tumbleweeds, Wuthering Heights and The Menu.
Meanwhile Frost, best known for his roles in the comedy films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, will take over from Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, the Hogwarts groundskeeper and half-giant who becomes a faithful friend and ally to Harry and his friends.
Much of the guessing and speculation can be put to rest now, as HBO has made its first official casting announcement for some of the wizarding world’s most notable characters in its forthcoming Harry Potter series.
The company announced on Monday that John Lithgow would play Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu would be Severus Snape, Janet McTeer would be Minerva McGonagall, and Nick Frost would appear as Rubeus Hagrid. All four actors will be series regulars.
Meanwhile, Luke Thallon was announced to play Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse to play Argus Filch, both in guest and recurring roles.
The series, designed to run for more than a decade, comes from the writer and showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director and executive producer Mark Mylod of Succession.
“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,” the pair said. “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”
The US actor Lithgow, who most recently starred in the Bafta- and Oscar-winning papal election thriller Conclave, will take over the role played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the films. Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is a caring and powerful wizard who mentors Harry in his fight against the dark lord Voldemort.
It had previously been reported that Mark Rylance was in the running for the part. But Lithgow – a veteran of stage and screen, and winner of six Emmy awards (including for his role as Winston Churchill in The Crown), two Golden Globes, an Olivier and a Tony – announced his own casting in February.
Essiedu received an Emmy nomination for his role in the critically acclaimed series I May Destroy You and also starred in series such as The Lazarus Project and Gangs of London. He will transform into the Hogwarts potions professor Snape, who was played by Alan Rickman in the films. Harry Potter is constantly at odds with Snape, who is hostile to him but is later revealed to have been bullied by Harry’s father, James, while harbouring an unrequited love for his mother, Lily.
McTeer, a past winner of numerous accolades including a Tony, an Olivier and a Golden Globe, will be McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor house – a role played by Maggie Smith in the films. McTeer has appeared in films including Tumbleweeds, Wuthering Heights and The Menu.
Meanwhile Frost, best known for his roles in the comedy films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, will take over from Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, the Hogwarts groundskeeper and half-giant who becomes a faithful friend and ally to Harry and his friends.
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