HBO Harry Potter series
Harry Potter HBO series cast
Every confirmed actor in HBO's Harry Potter, with the actor who played the same role in the films.
Main cast
| Character | HBO series | Films |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter | Dominic McLaughlin | Daniel Radcliffe |
| Hermione Granger | Arabella Stanton | Emma Watson |
| Ron Weasley | Alastair Stout | Rupert Grint |
| Albus Dumbledore | John Lithgow | Richard Harris (later Michael Gambon) |
| Minerva McGonagall | Janet McTeer | Maggie Smith |
| Severus Snape | Paapa Essiedu | Alan Rickman |
| Rubeus Hagrid | Nick Frost | Robbie Coltrane |
Supporting cast
| Character | HBO series | Films |
|---|---|---|
| Neville Longbottom | Rory Wilmot | Matthew Lewis |
| Draco Malfoy | Lox Pratt | Tom Felton |
| Molly Weasley | Katherine Parkinson | Julie Walters |
| Filius Flitwick | Warwick Davis | Warwick Davis |
| Argus Filch | Paul Whitehouse | David Bradley |
| Vernon Dursley | Daniel Rigby | Richard Griffiths |
| Petunia Dursley | Bel Powley | Fiona Shaw |
| Lucius Malfoy | Johnny Flynn | Jason Isaacs (from Chamber of Secrets) |
| Cornelius Fudge | Bertie Carvel | Robert Hardy (from Chamber of Secrets) |
| Quirinus Quirrell | Luke Thallon | Ian Hart |
| Peeves | Peter Serafinowicz | Cut from the films |
More roles have been cast, including the other Weasley children and more Hogwarts students. We list the confirmed roles that matter most to season 1 and add others as they're announced.
How the trio were cast
HBO opened an open casting call in September 2024, inviting children aged roughly nine to eleven from the UK and Ireland to audition. Around 40,000 children applied. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout were announced in May 2025, around the age Harry, Ron and Hermione are when they start at Hogwarts.
Casting children so close to their characters' ages matters for a seven-season show. Like the film cast, they'll grow up alongside their characters.
The adult cast
The Hogwarts staff are played by a mix of stage and screen veterans. John Lithgow, a multi-award-winning American actor, takes on Dumbledore. Janet McTeer, a Tony winner, plays McGonagall. Paapa Essiedu, who won acclaim for I May Destroy You, plays Snape. Nick Frost, best known for his comedies with Simon Pegg, plays Hagrid, and also narrated HBO's behind-the-scenes special, Finding Harry.
Essiedu revealed in March 2026 that his casting had brought racist abuse and death threats on social media.
Returning faces
Warwick Davis is the one actor confirmed to return from the films, playing Professor Flitwick again. Everyone else is new to their role.
Characters the films left out
Peeves the poltergeist, played by Peter Serafinowicz, is one of the most talked-about additions. He's a constant presence in the books but was cut from the films. His inclusion is one of the clearest signs that the series plans to keep more of the books than the films could.
Who's making the show
| Showrunner | Francesca Gardiner (joined by Jon Brown as co-showrunner for season 2) |
|---|---|
| Directors | Mark Mylod, Benjamin Caron and Lucy Forbes |
| Executive producers | Include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, David Heyman, Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod |
| Music | Hans Zimmer, with Bleeding Fingers Music |
| Studio | Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England |
Season 2 casting
For Chamber of Secrets, Kit Harington will play Gilderoy Lockhart, the vain Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher (played by Kenneth Branagh in the films). Nicholas Hoult was originally cast and was replaced. Read our Gilderoy Lockhart profile.
Want to know more about the characters? Browse our character profiles by house.
Frequently asked questions
Who plays Harry Potter in the HBO series?
Dominic McLaughlin, chosen from around 40,000 children who auditioned.
Who plays Hermione and Ron?
Arabella Stanton plays Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout plays Ron Weasley.
Who plays Snape in the HBO series?
Paapa Essiedu, known for I May Destroy You.
Who plays Dumbledore?
John Lithgow.
Is anyone from the films in the HBO series?
Yes. Warwick Davis returns as Professor Flitwick, the only film actor confirmed to reprise his role.
Who plays Gilderoy Lockhart?
Kit Harington, in season 2. He replaced Nicholas Hoult, who was originally cast.
Unofficial fan project. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling or Wizarding World Digital. Not affiliated with HBO or HBO Max.