We’ve reached a big milestone on the HBO Harry Potter TV series as the first six cast members have been revealed. While we still have to wait to find out who will play the likes of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lord Voldemort, we now know who will be taking on the roles of Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, and more.
Read on to find out who has been officially confirmed for this new take on Harry Potter as well as who has yet to be cast.
Confirmed Cast:
John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
John Lithgow Image Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery/Jessica Howes
Six-time Emmy and two-time Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow has been cast as Albus Dumbledore, the beloved headmaster of Hogwarts. Dumbledore is considered one of the most powerful wizards of all time and was a key mentor in Harry Potter’s life. He also has a fascinating past that involves a tragic relationship with Gellert Grindelwald, who went on to become one of the most powerful dark wizards in this universe.
As for Lithgow, he’s known for starring in 3rd Rock From the Sun, Dexter, The Crown, Shrek, The World According to Garp, Perry Mason, The Old Man, Footloose, Terms of Endearment, Interstellar, and so much more.
Who played Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films? Richard Harris in Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets and Michael Gambon in the rest of the original series; Toby Regbo and Jude Law have also played younger incarnations of the character.
Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
Janet McTeer Image Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery/Andrew Crowley
Tony Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Janet McTeer is set to take on the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall. McGonagall is another beloved member of Hogwarts and the head of Gryffindor and the deputy headmistress under Albus Dumbledore. She is one of the first characters we meet in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as she joined Dumbledore in delivering Harry Potter to the Dursleys.
McTeer previously starred in Me Before You, The Menu, Albert Nobbs, Tumbleweeds, The Old Man, Ozark, Sorry for Your Loss, and more.
Who played Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films? Dame Maggie Smith in the original films and Fiona Glascott in the Fantastic Beasts series.
Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
Paapa Essiedu Image Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery/Ruth Crafer
Emmy-nominated actor Paapa Essiedu will step into the shoes of Severus Snape, the professor of Potions at Hogwarts and head of Slytherin who is one of the most important characters in the whole series. He has a long history with Harry Potter and his parents, James and Lily, and proves to be a difficult person to be around for the young wizard.
Essiedu has previously been seen in I May Destroy You, The Outrun, Black Mirror, Men, The Lazarus Project, Gangs of London, and more.
Who played Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films? Alan Rickman, with Alec Hopkins appearing as the teenage Snape and Benedict Clarke as the child version.
Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
Nick Frost Image Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery/Lee Malone
Nick Frost will take on the role of Rubeus Hagrid, the beloved half-giant who is the gamekeeper and groundskeeper at Hogwarts. He is responsible for saving Harry Potter from the Dursleys and starting him on his Hogwarts journey. Afterwards, he would become one of Harry’s closest friends.
Frost has a long history of comedic roles, including Shaun of the Dead, Skeleton Crew, The World’s End, Hot Fuzz, Attack the Block, and more.
Who played Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter films? Robbie Coltrane, with Martin Bayfield playing the young Hagrid.
Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
Luke Thallon Image Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery/Phil Sharp
Luke Thallon is the new Quirinus Quirrell in this new Harry Potter series. Quirrell is the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in Harry’s first year at Hogwarts.
Thallon is a relative newcomer to the world of acting and has starred in The Favourite and Present Laughter.
Who played Quirinus Quirrell in the Harry Potter films? Ian Hart
Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
Paul Whitehouse Image Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery/Mike Marsland
BAFTA-winning actor Paul Whitehouse is confirmed to be playing Argus Filch, the caretaker of Hogwarts who is usually seen with his cat, Mrs. Norris.
Whitehouse is known for The Fast Show, Harry & Paul, The Death of Stalin, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Corpse Bride, Alice in Wonderland, and more.
Who played Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films? David Bradley
Major Characters Yet to Be Cast:
- Harry Potter
- Ron Weasley
- Hermione Granger
- Lord Voldemort
- Draco Malfoy
- Sirius Black
- Remus Lupin
- Dolores Umbridge
- Alastor Moody
- Ginny Weasley
- Luna Lovegood
- Fred Weasley
- George Weasley
- Arthur Weasley
- Molly Weasley
- James Potter
- Lily Potter
- Bellatrix Lestrange
- Neville Longbottom
- Cedric Diggory
- Dudley Dursley
- Petunia Dursley
- Vernon Dursley
- Lucius Malfoy
- Cho Chang
- Seamus Finnigan
- Dean Thomas
- Gilderoy Lockhart
- Dobby
- Nearly Headless Nick
- Moaning Myrtle
- Sybill Trelawney
- Filius Flitwick
- And many more…
For more, check out our ranking of the 25 best Harry Potter characters from the movies and books, the producing duo that will be leading the charge on HBO’s reboot, and our guide to reading your way through the Harry Potter books.
Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.
