HBO is nearing the addition of two more main cast members for its highly anticipated series adaptation of the extremely popular "Harry Potter" fantasy books. Sources inform Deadline that the Oscar - and Emmy - nominated Janet McTeer is in talks to take on the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall.
Moreover, Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu, one of the first actors considered for this series, is close to finalizing his deal to play Professor Severus Snape. They are set to join John Lithgow, who, as was reported exclusively by Deadline, will be portraying Professor Albus Dumbledore.
HBO chose not to comment. In a statement, the network said, "We understand that such a high - profile series will generate a great deal of rumor and speculation. As we progress through pre - production, we will only confirm details once deals are finalized."
The "Harry Potter" series, which is planned to span over a decade, is created by writer - showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director/executive producer Mark Mylod. When the original announcement was made, Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, described the show as a "faithful adaptation" of J.K. Rowling's novels that will "delve deeply into each of the iconic books."
At a Max event in London last December, Gardiner disclosed that the series will adhere to the "canonical" ages of Snape, who will be 31, as well as the Dursleys, who will be much younger than they were in the movies.
This clarifies the selection of Essiedu, who is in his thirties, for the role of Snape. In the "Harry Potter" movies, the late Alan Rickman played Snape, who starts as an antagonist and later becomes a hero. Severus Snape is the Potions professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and eventually becomes headmaster.
McTeer is only a few years younger than the late Maggie Smith was when she was cast as Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall in the film franchise over two and a half decades ago. McGonagall, the Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts, is also the caring head of Gryffindor house and the deputy headmistress under Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Lithgow). In the "Fantastic Beasts" prequel films, Fiona Glascott played this role.
The Harry Potter franchise is expanding with an HBO series, and it's aiming for a more inclusive and racially diverse universe. This drive towards diversity was seen earlier when Noma Dumezweni was cast as Hermione in the long - running "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" stage play. The Lord of the Rings franchise also took a similar step when it moved to the small screen with the Amazon series.
The Harry Potter TV series will be filmed at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, the same place where the movies were shot. It's set to premiere on HBO either in late 2026 or early 2027. Around 32,000 kids sent audition tapes for the lead roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, but the final casting choices remain unrevealed.
Janet McTeer and Paapa Essiedu are set to be part of the series. This will mark their return to HBO. McTeer was Emmy - nominated for her role as Winston Churchill's wife Clementine in the HBO film "Into the Storm". Essiedu received Emmy and BAFTA TV nominations for his role in the BBC/HBO limited series "I May Destroy You" where he starred as Kwame opposite Michael Coel.
McTeer has been quite active in the industry. She recently starred in the Netflix series "Kaos" and had a recurring role in FX's "The Old Man". In feature films, she has been Oscar - nominated for her roles in "Tumbleweeds" (for which she also won a Golden Globe) and "Albert Nobbs". She will soon be seen in "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning". On stage, she has a Tony and Olivier award for "A Doll’s House" and multiple additional Tony and Olivier nominations. She is represented by Mgmt Entertainment, Curtis Brown, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Essiedu, also a BAFTA TV nominee for "The Lazarus Project", recently had an arc in the popular Netflix spy drama "Black Doves" and starred opposite Saoirse Ronan in "The Outrun", which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. He will next be seen in the British comedy horror film "The Scurry". He is represented by Curtis Brown, WME, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch
Here is the paragraph about What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch:
The Harry Potter movies are a series of films based on the popular book series by J.K. Rowling. The movies follow the adventures of Harry Potter, a young wizard who attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, face many challenges as they navigate their way through school, including facing the evil Lord Voldemort and his followers. The movies are an exciting and magical adventure that has captured the hearts of many viewers around the world. You can watch the movies on streaming platforms such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime, or by renting them from online retailers.
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