HBO’s Harry Potter Series Expands Its Cast & Crew

Much has happened since my last Harry Potter coverage, and the summer of 2025 brought with it a flurry of casting announcements for the highly anticipated HBO Original Harry Potter series. From beloved Hogwarts students to iconic Ministry officials—and yes, even the Dursleys—production is officially underway, and the magic is in full swing at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden.

New Faces for Familiar Names

Our wizarding family continues to grow, and some major characters have now officially been cast. Katherine Parkinson, BAFTA winner, will bring warmth, wit, and a touch of chaos to Molly Weasley.

Lox Pratt steps into the role of Draco Malfoy, with Johnny Flynn (Emma, The Dig) taking on the sleek menace of Lucius Malfoy.

Among the newest students at Hogwarts, the ensemble cast includes: Leo Earley as the ever-explosive Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil and Sienna Moosah as Parvati’s bubbly best friend, Lavender Brown.

In the Muggle world, Harry’s aunt and uncle had officially been confirmed in this announcement also. Bel Powley brings a fresh take on the stern and snobbish Petunia Dursley, joined by Daniel Rigby (BAFTA winner) as the cantankerous Vernon Dursley.

The final actor confirmed was a surprise, particularly as this character never appeared on page in book one. Stepping into the polished shoes of the Minister for Magic, Bertie Carvel (double Olivier and Tony Award winner) will portray Cornelius Fudge.

Lights, Camera, Lumos!

In July, production officially commenced — and with it, two very magical reveals.

We got our first look at our new Harry Potter, played by Dominic McLaughlin, as he tried on the iconic glasses and Hogwarts robes for the very first time. It’s a moment fans have been waiting years for — and it didn’t disappoint.

But that wasn’t all. Alongside Dominic’s debut came the first-look at Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) as Rubeus Hagrid. Towering, wild-bearded, and instantly loveable, Frost’s version of the beloved half-giant looks set to carry Hagrid’s legacy into a new generation.

Joining them in the halls of Hogwarts are more familiar faces: Rory Wilmot as the brave-hearted Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Harry’s spoiled cousin, Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey (Sherlock) as the sharp-eyed Madam Hooch and Anton Lesser as the famed wandmaker of Diagon Alley Garrick Ollivander.

Behind the Curtain: Meet the Creative Wizards

While the cast is brimming with talent, the magic wouldn’t happen without an equally brilliant team behind the scenes. The confirmed department heads for the HBO Original series include:

• Adriano Goldman – Director of Photography (The Crown)
• Cate Hall – Hair and Make-up Designer
• Paul Herbert – Stunt Co-ordinator
• Mark Holt – SFX Supervisor
• Mara LePere-Schloop – Production Designer
• Naomi Moore – Set Decorator
• John Nolan – Creature Effects Design Supervisor
• Alexis Wajsbrot – VFX Supervisor
• Dom Sidoli – VFX Producer
• Holly Waddington – Costume Designer (The Great)

With this creative dream team, the series is shaping up to be both visually and emotionally spellbinding.

Filming Across the Wizarding and Muggle Worlds

In addition to the work underway at Leavesden Studios, the production has been filming on location at London Zoo—a nostalgic nod to where Harry first spoke Parseltongue—as well as at various spots across London and Hertfordshire. The blending of studio magic and real-world locations is sure to add depth and authenticity to this reimagining of the Wizarding World.

The Dark Lord Returns?

And now, a final (and rather mysterious) note to leave fans buzzing:

It has been reported that Lord Voldemort has not only been cast, but will also appear in several episodes throughout the first season—a surprising and bold creative choice, considering the Dark Lord doesn’t fully emerge until later in the original timeline.

Allegedly, the creative team have decided not to reveal the actor portraying the main antagonist until the series officially premieres. So far, the name has been kept under wraps, with no leaks reported—a feat of magic in itself.

Naturally, fans have taken to the internet with their theories, with speculation currently torn between Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) and Matt Smith (Doctor Who), both of whom could bring a chilling intensity to He Who Must Not Be Named.

When Can We Watch?

The series is currently in production and set to debut in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max, bringing the beloved story back to life in an all-new long-form format. Designed as a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s original novels, the series promises to dive deeper into the magical world than ever before.

Apologies for the delay, but with this round-up we’ve officially caught you up on all the latest announcements — from casting spells to casting calls. For those eager to know more, I’ve also covered Audible’s full-cast adaptation in a separate article, including the complete cast list and release timeline.