Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban — Full Cast Audio Edition Review

The beloved stories as you’ve never experienced them. Get ready to be transported to the world of Harry Potter in a captivating production that features hundreds of unique voices and immersive sound design that brings the wizarding world vividly to life in Dolby Atmos. You’ll hear footsteps echoing through the corridors of Hogwarts and the heart-racing whoosh of the Golden Snitch as it darts past your ears in the heat of a Quidditch match. Also featuring an electrifying new musical score, The Full-Cast Audio Editions present J.K. Rowling’s iconic series as a truly spellbinding listening event for the whole family.

'Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board and we can take you anywhere you want to go.'

When the Knight Bus crashes through the darkness and screeches to a halt in front of him, it's the start of another far from ordinary year at Hogwarts for Harry Potter. Sirius Black, escaped mass-murderer and follower of Lord Voldemort, is on the run—and they say he is coming after Harry. In his first ever Divination class, Professor Trelawney sees an omen of death in Harry's tea leaves... But perhaps most terrifying of all are the Dementors patrolling the school grounds, with their soul-sucking kiss...

Having become classics of our time, the Harry Potter stories never fail to bring comfort and escapism. With their message of hope, belonging and the enduring power of truth and love, the story of the Boy Who Lived continues to delight generations of new listeners.

Going into Audible’s third Harry Potter audiobook, I was particularly excited for this one. Of all seven books, Prisoner of Azkaban has always been one of my favourites, and this audio production did not disappoint.

Many of the voice cast reprised their roles, delivering performances that were both faithful and dynamic, perfectly suiting this darker installment of the series. Frankie Treadaway as Harry Potter, Max Lester as Ron Weasley, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape, Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall, Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, and Simon Pegg as Arthur Weasley elevate the dialogue, bringing the story vividly to life. Cush Jumbo’s narration continues to impress, seamlessly bridging the prose with the performances and enhancing the overall listening experience.

The new cast additions were an absolute delight. Iwan Rheon, known for his role as Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones, gave a nuanced and surprisingly gentle performance as Remus Lupin, showing a completely different side of his range. David Holmes as Stan Shunpike brought a charming and nostalgic touch which fans of the movies will appreciate, while Saoirse-Monica Jackson fully embraced the eccentricity and hysteria of Professor Trelawney. The standout, however, was Sope Dirisu as Sirius Black—he delivered a powerhouse performance in the dramatic Shrieking Shack climax, matching the intensity of the story with sheer presence.

A special mention goes to the young actors, who were nearing the end of their run before the series’ cast changes in Goblet of Fire. Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton shine in their roles, showing growth in confidence and skill across the first three audiobooks. Stanton’s portrayal of Hermione is particularly strong, and it’s exciting to note that she will reprise the role in the upcoming HBO adaptation. Azkaban serves as a fitting farewell to this talented trio.

This audiobook stands out as a pivotal moment in the series, marking the transition from children’s fantasy to young adult fantasy. The combination of narration and full cast performances makes Prisoner of Azkaban a truly immersive experience. Personally, this has been one of my favourite installments of Audible’s new Harry Potter series, and it’s clear that the cast and crew approached it with care, skill, and a deep understanding of the story.

My rating for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — The Full-Cast Audio Edition: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The new audiobook series is available exclusively on Audible alongside the Stephen Fry editions in the UK and Jim Dale editions in the US.

My review of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Full-Cast Audio Edition will be published in February.