Pottermore and Audible Unveil Full-Cast Harry Potter Audiobooks with Release Timeline

In April 2024, Pottermore Publishing and Audible announced a brand-new co-production of the original Harry Potter stories, revisiting the beloved listening experience for the first time ever. I covered that announcement when it first broke, but today’s reveal is even more thrilling: the full-cast lineup is here — and it’s packed with talent. Over 200 performers will bring J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world to life in an ambitious audio project unlike anything the franchise has seen before.

A Cast Brimming with Awards and Star Power

Headlining the series is Golden Globe Award winner Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore. Best known for his long-running role as Dr. Gregory House in House and acclaimed performances in The Night Manager and Roadkill, Laurie’s distinctive voice and gravitas seem tailor-made for the wise and whimsical headmaster of Hogwarts.

On his casting as Dumbledore, Hugh Laurie said:

"I’m honoured to have been trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore, and thrilled to be able to take him around the track of this beautiful incarnation by Pottermore and Audible. I’m also deeply conscious of previous drivers Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law and the iconic narrations by Jim Dale and m’colleague Sir Stephen Fry. Just below the horizon, but headed our way, is the rough beast John Lithgow, his hour come round at last. This is great company, and it’s a privilege to be among their number."

Opposite him in darker corners of the story is Matthew Macfadyen, stepping into the chilling role of Lord Voldemort. An Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Award winner for his portrayal of Tom Wambsgans in HBO’s Succession, Macfadyen has also starred in Pride & Prejudice and Anna Karenina. His ability to blend menace with subtle charisma could give the Dark Lord a fresh and unnerving edge.

Riz Ahmed, cast as Professor Snape, is an Academy Award and Emmy Award winner whose work in Sound of Metal and The Night Of has earned him global acclaim. Ahmed is known for his deep emotional range, a quality that will be invaluable in portraying one of literature’s most complex and morally layered characters.

For the formidable Professor McGonagall, producers have turned to Michelle Gomez, a BAFTA Award nominee recognized for scene-stealing turns in Doctor Who and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Her sharp wit and commanding presence should make McGonagall’s every line crackle with energy.

Rounding out the core adult cast is Cush Jumbo OBE who takes on one of the most crucial roles in the production — Narrator. A Laurence Olivier Award and Critics Choice Award nominee, Jumbo is celebrated for The Good Wife, The Good Fight, and her acclaimed turn in Hamlet at the Young Vic. In this new Harry Potter adaptation, she will be the voice that threads the story together, guiding listeners through every twist, spell, and emotional beat while weaving the performances, dialogue, and soundscapes into a seamless listening experience.

The Golden Trio

For audiobooks one through three (Philosopher’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Prisoner of Azkaban), Frankie Treadaway will voice Harry Potter, Max Lester will play Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton will bring Hermione to life. Stanton’s role here is especially notable — she has also been cast to portray Hermione Granger in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter television series, marking a rare crossover between audiobook and live-action adaptations.

From book four onward — Goblet of Fire through Deathly Hallows — the Golden Trio will be voiced by Jaxon Knopf as Harry, Rhys Mulligan as Ron, and Nina Barker-Francis as Hermione. Taking over as the characters mature and the stakes grow darker, this trio will carry listeners through the most intense chapters of the saga.

Why a Full-Cast Format Matters

For many fans, the original single-narrator audiobooks — performed by Stephen Fry in the UK and Jim Dale in the US — are classics. But a full-cast production offers a completely different kind of immersion. Every character has their own voice actor, the sound design can be richer and more dynamic, and dialogue can flow like a radio drama rather than a reading. It’s the closest thing to “watching” Harry Potter with your ears.

Audible and Pottermore Publishing have a track record of high-quality productions, but this is their most ambitious collaboration yet. The sheer number of actors, the global recognition of the cast, and the release strategy suggest this is meant to be the definitive audio adaptation of the series.

A Year of Magic

The release schedule has been designed to keep listeners hooked for months. Starting this November, each audiobook will be released over seven months.

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone — 4th November 2025
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets — 16th December 2025
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — 13th January 2026
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire — 10th February 2026
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix — 10th March 2026
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince — 14th April 2026
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — 12th May 2026

From today, all seven audiobooks are available to pre-order. With this line-up of award winners and rising stars, combined with the magic of a fully immersive audio production, 2025–2026 is shaping up to be a landmark era for Harry Potter fans — and perhaps the definitive way to re-experience the wizarding world.

Accio headphones — the magic begins this November! In the meantime, the official trailer gives fans a teaser of what to expect.