HBO bosses confirm major crew members for Harry Potter TV adaptation
We're heading back to Hogwarts!
Last updated 1st Oct 2024
Harry Potter fans across the world were pretty divided by the news last year that HBO were reportedly making a TV adaptation of the beloved franchise, but now it's well on the way to being made!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, TV giants HBO, who are responsible for the likes of Game of Thrones and The Last Of Us, have announced that they've found both their director and showrunner in Mark Mylod and Francesca Gardiner respectively - who both have pretty impressive CVs.
Francesca, who will also take on the role of writer, worked on the HBO adaptation of His Dark Materials as well as Killing Eve, and Mark worked on Game of Thrones, the upcoming second season of The Last of Us and also 2022 film The Menu. Both additionally worked on lauded series Succession.
This is the first major update we've had on the series since April 2023, after HBO secured a deal to create the "first ever scripted television series" based on the franchise.
In a tweet, HBO shared a 30-second teaser alongside the caption: 'Your Hogwarts letter is here. Max has ordered the first ever #HarryPotter scripted television series, a faithful adaptation of the iconic books. #StreamOnMax.'
HBO announced at the time: "The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years."
According to Bloomberg's previous report, the series will be made up of seven seasons to cover each of the seven books, which will apparently allow the makers to "delve further" into more detail than the eight films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as Harry Potter, Hermione Grainger and Ron Weasley.
This might come as welcome news to fans, who have often felt that certain storylines and characters were omitted from the original film series due to time limits.
Author J. K. Rowling will "be involved" in the series to ensure it "remains loyal to her original material", but it's thought she will not be a hands-on member of the team.
This isn't the first time that HBO have teamed up with the world of Harry Potter, after being responsible for the 20th anniversary Harry Potter reunion, Return to Hogwarts, released in January 2022 that saw most of the main cast return to share their memories at The Making of Harry Potter tour in Watford.
Who will be cast in the new Harry Potter TV adaption?
There's been lots of rumours circulating about who will be cast to play the iconic characters associated with the Harry Potter franchise — but nothing has yet been confirmed.
In early September 2024, a casting call was announced for the main roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Bosses revealed they were on the lookout for aspiring young actors from the UK and Ireland, aged 9-11.
But that's not stopped tongues wagging, with excited fans convinced they've worked out who's lined up for the show. Names thrown into the magic pot include Toby Woolf (Rare Beasts), Joshua Pickering (Peter Pan & Wendy) and Bronte Carmichael (Christopher Robin) to play the wizarding leads.
For the roles of Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Hagrid, the rumoured cast includes Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who), Lesley Manville (Mrs Harris Goes to Paris) and Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones) respectively. While The Office actress Lucy David has been favoured for the role of Aunt Petunia!
Scroll through to see the Harry Potter child actors then and now:
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel's acting career started at a young age, having made his acting debut in the TV adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield at the age of just 10. Daniel then went on to be cast as the lead role of Harry Potter, after impressing at the auditions.
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel is now aged 35 and has enjoyed a successful career on stage and in films. He has taken on an array of Broadway and West End roles, including in the musical Merrily We Roll Along in 2023. Daniel's film acting career has seen him star in films including The Woman In Black, The Lost City and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
In 2023, Daniel and his girlfriend Erin Darke welcomed their first child.
Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint famously portrayed Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films, having been cast at the age of 11. Before starring in the films, Rupert had never acted professionally before, having appeared in school plays and local theatre productions.
Rupert Grint
Now aged 36, Rupert has gone on to enjoy a successful acting career. He has starred in films including Into The White, Charlie Countryman and Moonwalkers. Rupert has also appeared in the play Mojo and starred in the series Snatch, of which he was also executive producer.
Rupert is in a relationship with actress Georgia Groome, with the couple welcoming their daughter Wednesday in May 2020.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson was cast as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films. Having previously appeared in school plays and trained with a local Stagecoach group, the films were Emma's first professional acting role.
Emma Watson
Now 34-years-old, Emma has enjoyed a successful career since Harry Potter. She has starred in a number of films, including The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Beauty and the Beast and Little Women.
In addition to her film career, Emma gained a degree in English Literature from Brown University, as well as being made a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. Emma also helped to launch Time's Up UK and was appointed to a G7 advisory body for women's rights. In 2023, Emma began studying a Master's degree in Creative Writing at Oxford University.
Tom Felton
Tom Felton played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. Prior to being cast in the role, Tom had appeared in commercials as well as starring in the films The Borrowers and Anna and the King.
Tom Felton
Now 37-years-old, Tom has established a career as an actor and musician. As an actor, he has starred in films including Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Message from the King and A United Kingdom, as well as making his West End debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story. As a musician, Tom has released five EPs.
Tom published a memoir called Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard in 2022.
Matthew Lewis
Matthew Lewis played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films. Matthew's acting career started when he was just five-years-old, making his debut in the television film Some Kind of Life. Prior to taking on the role of Neville, Matthew also appeared in the TV shows Dalziel and Pascoe, Heartbeat and Where The Heart Is.
Matthew Lewis
Now aged 35, Matthew has starred in TV series including The Syndicate, Ripper Street, Happy Valley and All Creatures Great and Small. As a fan of Leeds United, Matthew also hosts a Leeds United podcast alongside former professional footballer Jermaine Beckford.
Matthew married his wife Angela Jones in 2018.
Bonnie Wright
Bonnie Wright played the role of Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films. Prior to starring in the films, Bonnie had no professional experience and had took part in school plays.
Bonnie Wright
Bonnie appeared in a number of independent films after Harry Potter, as well as taking on the lead role in the play The Moment of Truth. Bonnie gained a degree in Filmmaking from the London College of Communication and founded her own production company. She has directed a number of short films and music videos.
Now aged 33, Bonnie has also undertook environmental activism work. She married her husband Andrew Lococo in 2022, with the couple welcoming their first child in September 2023.
Evanna Lynch
Irish actress Evanna was 14-years-old when she was cast as Luna Lovegood. Prior to the films, Evanna had acted in school plays and had never acted professionally. Evanna suffered with the eating disorder anorexia when she was a child, explaining that the Harry Potter books had helped her.
Evanna Lynch
Now aged 33, Evanna went on to star in stage productions including The Omission of the Family Coleman and Houdini. She took part in Dancing With The Stars in 2018, finishing in third place. Evanna is an activist for veganism and animal rights, launching a cosmetics brand and podcast.
In 2021, Evanna released the book The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting: The Tragedy and Glory of Growing Up – A Memoir, which details her journey of overcoming an eating disorder.
Harry Melling
Harry Melling played the role of Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter films, having been cast at the age of 10.
Harry Melling
Now 35-years-old, Harry went on to star in the Netflix film The Devil All The Time, as well as playing Harry Beltik in The Queen's Gambit. He has also starred in the films The Tragedy of Macbeth and The Pale Blue Eye.
Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson played the role of Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter films. Prior to the film, Robert appeared in the German film Ring of the Nibelungs, the film Vanity Fair and the play Guys and Dolls.
Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson has enjoyed a hugely successful career since his Harry Potter days. He famously played Edward Cullen in the Twilight films, as well as appearing in films including Tenet, Remember Me and The Batman.
He is engaged to Suki Waterhouse, with the couple welcoming their first child in March 2024.
Alfred Enoch
Alfred Enoch played Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films. Dean was a student in Gryffindor who was in Harry's year, and was best friends with Seamus Finnegan. Alfred was cast in the role of Dean in 2001.
Alfred Enoch
Alfred has had a successful acting career, including playing the role of Wes Gibbins in the series How to Get Away With Murder. He has also appeared in stage productions including King Lear and Romeo and Juliet.
Now aged 36, Alfred also graduated with a degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford.
Katie Leung
Scottish actor Katie Leung played the role of Cho Chang in the Harry Potter films. She auditioned for the films after her father saw an advert for a casting call.
Katie Leung
Now aged 37, Katie has gone on to star in series including Annika, The Peripheral and Strangers. She obtained a Photography degree from the Edinburgh College of Art, and studied Acting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
In 2022, she welcomed her first child.
James and Oliver Phelps
Twin brothers James and Oliver Phelps played Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films. The pair had no prior acting experience, and attended an open audition.
James and Oliver Phelps
Now aged 38, James and Oliver have continued to work together on acting projects. In 2018, Oliver appeared in a stage production of The Case of the Frightened Lady, James appeared in the movie Cadia: The World Within in 2019, of which he was also associate producer.
They also host a podcast together called Normal Not Normal, where they have even interviewed fellow Harry Potter stars Alfred Enoch, Evanna Lynch and Katie Leung.
Domhnall Gleeson
Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson portrayed Bill Weasley. His father, Brendan, played Alastor Moody.
Domhnall Gleeson
Domhnall has enjoyed a successful acting career, with roles in films including The Revenant, Brooklyn and playing General Armitage Hux in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He also starred in the triller series The Patient, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
Devon Murray
Devon Murray played Seamus Finnegan in the Harry Potter films. Prior to Harry Potter, Devon starred in the films This Is My Father and Angela's Ashes.
Devon Murray
Devon appeared in the 2018 film Damo and Ivor The Movie. In 2021, Devon became a father, welcoming his son Cooper with his girlfriend Shannon McCaffrey.
Clémence Poésy
French actress Clémence Poésy played Fleur Delacour in the Harry Potter films. Prior to this, she starred in the BBC series Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
Clémence Poésy
Clémence has enjoyed success as an actress and model. She has starred in films including Tenet and 127 Hours. She also played Eva Coupeau in Gossip Girl and Isabelle in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Clémence has three children.
Of course, there have been plenty of spin-offs from the Harry Potter world, with the original films being a global sensation when they were first released through the 2000s. Fans have now seen Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them have a film trilogy, as well as the stage show Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.
We'll keep you updated with any developments!
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