Warner Bros. and HBO have officially announced the core cast for the acclaimed Hogwarts professors in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
Today's reveal ends months of speculation about how this fresh adaptation will reinterpret Harry, Hermione, and Ron's magical journey. The confirmed cast includes seasoned actor John Lithgow (known for Conclave and Dexter), who previously confirmed his role as Albus Dumbledore, alongside other heavily rumored casting choices.
Fans might recognize two familiar faces: comedy legend Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) as beloved half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, and rising star Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, Black Mirror) taking on the complex role of Potions Master Severus Snape. The ensemble is completed by Janet McTeer (Me Before You) as Minerva McGonagall, Luke Thallon (The Favourite) as the stuttering Quirinus Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show) as the grumpy caretaker Argus Filch.
"We're thrilled to collaborate with such exceptional talent to reimagine these iconic characters," said showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer Mark Mylod in a joint statement.
The professors of Hogwarts – Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Snape – represent not just pivotal Wizarding World figures but cultural icons. Casting these roles presented significant challenges, as Lithgow acknowledged when discussing his portrayal of the venerable headmaster.
"The offer came while I was at Sundance for another project," Lithgow told ScreenRant earlier this year. "It's a role that will undoubtedly shape my legacy—both daunting and exhilarating. What ultimately convinced me was the creative team's fresh vision for revisiting Harry's world. I'll likely be celebrating my wrap party as an octogenarian, but the opportunity was simply too magical to pass up."
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While no premiere date has been set, production is expected to commence shortly. Warner Bros. remains tight-lipped about specific deviations from the original books or films, though they've confirmed the series will explore deeper narrative layers than the previous two-hour movie format allowed. Controversially, J.K. Rowling remains involved as an executive producer.
For additional details about the Harry Potter series, explore our latest coverage on casting updates for the Golden Trio.
