HBO this week confirmed that a number of big name stars will appear in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
Janet McTeer, John Lithgow, Nick Frost and Paapa Essiedu are among the big names set to play some of the leading characters in the JK Rowling-created project.
However, some of the leading stars have now found themselves under the spotlight for associating with the controversial author of the series, given her recent stance on the transgender community and the recent ruling by the Supreme Court over biological sex.
JK Rowling welcomed the UK Supreme Court ruling that transgender women who have a gender-recognition certificate are not “women” under the law.
Campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS) challenged the Scottish government over the definition of “women” in a law governing female representation on public boards.
Nick Frost, recently announced as taking on the role of gamekeeper Hagrid, has turned off the comments on his post celebrating his involvement in the new Harry Potter series.
Planned for broadcast in 2027, the Hot Fuzz actor took to his social media page to celebrate getting the role.
In an Instagram post, he posed with a copy of the book Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, along with the caption: “You’re a wizard, Harry!!! Thank you for trusting me with such a loyal, gentle and courageous half-giant like Rubeus Hagrid”. He ended with: “Robbie, I promise I won’t let you down”, a reference to the late Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the film adaptations.
Comments on that post have been turned off, but many took to his other shared pictures to air they views.
One commented: “The fact you’ve turned comments off on the previous post shows you know exactly why taking that role is a poor decision. You’ve lost the respect of millions, and I’m so disappointed in one of my favourite actors of all time. I thought you were better than this.”
Another added: “I’m very sad that you chose to work for someone like Rowling that takes so much effort in making innocent peoples’ lives miserable. You always where an artist I highly admired. Please think again if you want to get involved with that woman, you might lose a lot of fans with that decision.”
Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse have also been named among the cast of the TV show, which will be modelled on the seven-book series and designed to run for up to a decade.
Among the stars, Whitehouse is the only actor so far to have previously appeared in the original films.
The US streaming company, which is reportedly yet to officially name who it has cast in the main roles, has promised a slew of acting heavyweights will star as some of the franchise's most loved figures.
Speaking about the latest casting announcement, the showrunners said: “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”
According to previous announcements, the scripted TV show will closely align with the Harry Potter books and allow for a more in-depth portrayal of the story than the films.
“Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally,” Warner Bros previously announced.
So, who’s who in the upcoming Harry Potter show?
John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
US actor John Lithgow will star as Hogwart’s headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming series, taking over the role from Michael Gambon and Richard Harris, who played the character in the films.
Lithgow is an award-winning actor whose career has spanned more than five decades and seen him assume several coveted roles, such as a serial killer in Dexter and an alien in 3rd Rock from the Sun.
Lithgow’s casting in the JK Rowling series was actually unveiled earlier this year, with the star confirming that he had accepted a spot in the show - even though it may be his last major acting gig.
“I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid,” he said.
“But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
Janet McTeer as Professor Minerva McGonagall
British actor Janet McTeer, 63, will assume the role of Professor McGonagall, one of the most important figures in the Potter series, in the upcoming series.
In recent months, McTeer has been rumoured to be the most likely contender for the role formerly played in films by the late Dame Maggie Smith.
The Tony, Olivier, and Golden Globe-winning star boasts a long history in stage and screen work and is known for appearing in shows such as Ozark and Kaos.
Although McTeer doesn’t appear to have publicly spoken about the casting decision, many fans are already convinced she is the perfect candidate to assume the formidable and sometimes intimidating character.
Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
British icon and Cornetto trilogy star Nick Frost will become one of Harry Potter’s most loved characters, the half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, formerly played by Robbie Coltrane.
Confirming the exciting news on social media on Monday, Frost thanked the show for the casting and promised Coltrane that he wouldn’t let the character down.
“You’re a wizard, Harry!!!” he wrote on social media, alongside a selfie in which he held up the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone book.
“Thank you for trusting me with such a loyal, gentle and courageous half-giant like Rubeus Hagrid. Robbie, I promise I won’t let you down.”
Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
I May Destroy You and Black Mirror star Paapa Essiedu will assume the iconic role of Severus Snape, formerly played by the late Alan Rickman.
The award-winning 36-year-old British actor, who was also nominated for an Emmy, will step into the coveted role of the Potions Master and Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in 2026.
Essiedu, whose character will play an integral role in protecting Harry from the dark forces circling the young wizard, is yet to address the exciting casting news publicly.
Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch
Welsh actor and comedian Paul Whitehouse will assume the role of Hogwart’s grumpy caretaker Argus Filch, previously played by David Bradley.
Whitehouse, best known for his work on The Fast Show, Harry & Paul, and The Death of Stalin, will appear as the recurring magic-less character in the upcoming series.
The actor is the only star so far that has a previous tie to the Harry Potter films, as he was previously cast as Sir Cadogan, a knight in one of Hogwart’s paintings, in the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell
Quirinus Quirrell, one of the book’s first antagonists, will be played by 29-year-old stage star Luke Thallon.
Thallon has previously starred as Hamlet and appeared in radio shows like A Room with a View.
Quirrell, who taught Defence Against the Dark Arts in the first Harry Potter book, is best known for being a quivering and fearful character with a dark secret: Voldemort was attached to his head.
