Watch: Will Cillian Murphy Play Voldemort in 'Harry Potter' Series? He Says...
Accio, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore! The six-time Emmy winner looked nearly unrecognizable dressed as the Hogwarts headmaster while filming HBO's upcoming Hary Potter series in England Oct. 7. Similar to the late Richard Harris and Michael Gambon from the Harry Potter film franchise, Lithgow rocked a long, gray beard and half-moon glasses for his take on the beloved character. He capped off the wizard's look with lengthy dark robes. And while the 70-year-old said that his casting "came as a total surprise," his decision to take on the role was admittedly "not an easy" one. "It's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid," he told ScreenRant in February. "But I'm very excited." Lithgow continued, "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."readPrepare to Be Spellbound by the First Look at HBO's Harry Potter SeriesAfter all, according to the actor, the show will aim to cover all seven of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels.
Dean / Click News"The overall concept of this entire reboot of Harry Potter is an entire season is devoted to a single novel," he explained during on a March episode of the SmartLess podcast, noting at the time that he was "halfway through the second" book for research into his role. "Dumbledore, he's kind of the nuclear weapon." As for criticism over how he-unlike his silver screen predecessors, including Jude Law and Toby Regbo from the Fantastic Beasts spinoff movies-does not have a natural English accent?Can Nguyen/Shutterstock"I know there were plenty of people appalled that an American should be hired to play the ultimate English wizard, but I will do my best," he told BBC's The One Show in April. "I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and did just fine." Keep reading to see who else will be joining Lithgow on the Harry Potter series.
Warner Bros. Pictures/Asia WerbelAnton Lesser as Garrick OllivanderIn July 2025, it was announced that Game of Thrones actor Anton Lesser would be opening the doors to Ollivanders, taking over the role of wandmaker Garrick Ollivander from the late, great John Hurt.
Murray Close/Getty Images; Courtesy Rory WilmotRory Wilmot as Neville LongbottomYoung actor Rory Wilmot is set to star as fan favorite Gryffindor student Neville Longbottom, who was previously played by Matthew Lewis.
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty ImagesLouise Brealey as Madam Rolanda HoochBritish actress Louise Brealey will take over from Zoe Wanamaker as Madam Rolanda Hooch, the Quidditch flying instructor. Brealey is perhaps best known for her roles in Sherlock, A Discovery of Witches and Hulu's Such Brave Girls.
Warner Bros. Pictures/Courtesy Amos KitsonAmos Kitson as Dudley DursleyHarry's cousin Dudley will be played by newcomer Amos Kitson. Harry Melling portrayed the young Dursley in the original movies.
Warner Bros./Newsmakers; Aidan Monaghan/HBOArabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin & Alastair Stout as Hermione, Harry & RonNewcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will step into the Gryffindor robes of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The trio takes over from Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who played the roles in the film franchise from 2000 to 2010. "The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen," said Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, the executive producers of the TV adaptation. "We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there."Murray Close/Getty Images; HBO Max/Warner Bros.
Lox Pratt as Draco MalfoyThe iconic Slytherin will be played by rising star Lox Pratt. He takes over from Tom Felton, who recently announced he will be heading to Broadway to take on the adult version of Draco in Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.
Entertainment Pictures/ZUMAPRESS.com; Jeff Spicer/Getty ImagesJohnny Flynn as Lucius MalfoyIn June 2025, HBO announced that Ripley actor Johnny Flynn would be taking on the role of Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy. The White Lotus star Jason Isaacs portrayed Lucius in the movie series and he took to Instagram to congratulate his successor: "Thrilled to be passing the keys to Malfoy Manor to @johnnyflynnmusic, a monstrously talented renaissance man."Warner Bros. Pictures; Dave Benett/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTAKatherine Parkinson as Molly WeasleyKatherine Parkinson, who won a BAFTA award for her performance in British sitcom The IT Crowd, will star in the TV adaptation as the Weasley matriarch. The role was previously played by Mamma Mia! actress Julie Walters.
Maxppp/Warner Bros. via ZUMA Press; Anthony Harvey/ShutterstockNick Frost as Rubeus Hagr